How To Maintain Your Timber Deck
Timber decks are a beautiful and priceless addition to any property. They make great outdoor spaces with their elegance. But due to the exposure to outdoor weather and humidity, they are quick to look dull and damaged. Hence it is essential to maintain timber decking to ensure your decking has a long life and a fresh look. Here are a few simple steps that are easy to follow to maintain your timber decking to make it last for years.
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
Regular cleaning is the first step in maintaining your timber deck. Protecting and maintaining outdoor decking can take some work but is not strenuous. Dirt, grit, and debris are the main culprits that make your timber decking look faded and can cause rot. You have to remove the dirt, leaves and scuff marks to maintain them over time. Further, regularly cleaning your timber decks protects them from the growth of moss and mould.
To clean your deck, begin with sweeping. Sweep with a soft-bristled brush that’s not hard on your timber decking. You should also wash and scrub them periodically to get rid of any algae growth. But do keep in mind to use safe products that do not damage the coatings of your timber decking. Most importantly, stay away from bleaching your timber decking because they do more harm than good.
Periodic Inspection and Repair
Loose floorboards are the most common problem with timber decking. So, if you don’t take care of them, they are prone to permanent damage and costly repairs. As your timber decking starts aging, the boards shrink, swell and crack – causing the nails and screws to peek above the surface.
Therefore, a regular inspection is crucial in maintaining timber decking and making sure it is in good shape. Repairing starts with fixing all the loose floorboards and the protruding screws and nails. Moreover, it is essential to remove and replace any damaged floorboard or rusty screws and nails. If you don’t replace them, they may cause further damage and discolouration to your timber decking and could cause an injury.
Sanding and Resealing
For dull and worn-out timber decking, sanding, and resealing is critical. It is the most important step in maintaining the life of your timber decking. So, whenever your decking needs a recoating or touch up, it is crucial to sand them first. Most importantly, you should call for professional help to sand and refinish your tired and damaged timber decking. Your sanding and staining professional will make a thorough assessment of your timber decking and will provide you with a neat and lasting finish.
Firstly, depending upon the level of damage, the floorboards must be sanded. It removes all the rough patches, splinters and provides a smooth and clean surface. Further, it also helps to remove the previous stains and enables easy absorption of the new stain. Only a clean deck lets the stain and sealant sink in and cure nicely. Perhaps, if you choose to reseal without sanding, your decking will not absorb the sealant or stain evenly. Hence, it may result in an uneven finish.
Secondly, reseal the sanded timber decking to give them a brand new look. Depending upon your preference and the type of timber decking, your sanding and polishing professional may suggest a stain, varnish, paint or oil that’s best for your timber decking. Besides improving the look, resealing also improves waterproofing, therefore improving the life of your elegant timber decking. Resealing every once a year will not only protect your timber decking but also makes your outdoor experience more enjoyable.
For more assistance on timber decking maintenance and sanding and staining, contact us at Abacus Flooring. We offer the best floor sanding and polishing service throughout Sydney, North Shore, and Northern Beaches.