Maintaining decking
Maintaining decking and keeping it in a good state of repair not only keeps it looking good, but also safe. Decks should really be cleaned down thoroughly at least once a year, and although you don’t necessarily need to re-coat with wood preserver annually, the more regularly you do it, the longer your deck will last.
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1. A pressure washer is the ideal cleaning tool for decking. If you don’t have one, a stiff brush with a bucket of water should suffice. |
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2. When applying protective products, there are tools that are easy-to-use and aid speedy application, such as the power pad, shown here. |
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3. As an alternative to a power pad, use a specially designed roller kit, appropriate for the application of external wood treatments. |
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4. For convenience and ease of application, wood treatment can be bought in shaped containers that double up as a roller tray. |
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5. Before applying, brush down a deck thoroughly. Apply as many coats as recommended by the manufacturer. Touch up edges with a paintbrush. |
Maintenance tips
- The gadgets shown above make application easier, but all you really need is a large paintbrush.
- Only the decking surface is shown here – if you have hand rails and/or steps, treat these as well.
- All the big outlets sell these treatments with the same, or similar, tools as shown here. You will also be given a choice of colours with clear, green and various browns being the most commonly used.
