If you’ve had decking built in your garden by a Denver deck company or any other decking company, you need to know how to look after it. It can be difficult to keep on top of your decking as the seasons change, but there are some things you can do to ensure it has a long life.
Cleaning
This may seem obvious but a lot of people neglect to do this.
After all, it rains a lot! Surely the rain clears off my decking?
Unfortunately, the rain is not enough. In fact, during the wet months, it is harder to clean the mud and debris in your decking that gets scattered across it.
In addition to that, it could create an environment suitable for moss and mold growth, should you let the mud and debris accumulate. And this could be harmful in the long run, not just to your deck and other parts of the house, but also to your and your family’s health.
Once the wet months are over, you ought to call in professionals to clear out all the mold. It is important to leave no trace as it would take little to no time for the mold to regrow even if there is a little left behind. Once cleared, conduct Mold Clearance Testing in the Santa Ana region, or any other region that you might live in. Should there be substantial mold growth, it’s best you leave the cleaning to professionals. They would do a more thorough job and see to it that there is no mold left. But, if there is just debris and dirt collection, you could follow the steps mentioned below:
- Firstly you’re going to want to get rid of all moss and dirt accumulation. Use a stiff brush and continuously sweep the decking until it is clear of all obvious dirt.
- Then use a hose pipe or pressure washer to wash this all away along with other built-up dirt.
Try and do this every time you notice a build-up on the decking. The more you clean it, the longer it will last.
You may also choose to use a power spray or proprietary cleaner, but make sure you wait around two days for the decking to dry before adding a protective coat.
Protection
It’s best to protect your decking once a year, as the yearly cycle is enough to wear down the protective layer and make your decking in need of a new coat.
Types of product you can use include: decking oil, decking stain, and decking protector.
These protective layers make your decking waterproof and it is also relatively shielded from scruffs, knocks and it looks great too.
During winter you may want to protect your decking with a plastic cover, held down by breezeblocks. This will protect the timber from the harsher weather that comes in the winter months. That being said, it’s important that you don’t leave the cover on for too long as the lack of ventilation can damage the wood. If you find wear and tear, look for a Deck Repair company that fixes and restore it back to good shape.
Restoring your decking
Add restorer to worn and tattered decking to restore its natural colour. Then add protectors to keep it looking great.
Restore your decking bit by bit as the process can take around 15 minutes. Trying to do a large area at a time may not work well.
Follow the directions on your specific restorer to get the best finish possible.
Now you know all the steps, make sure you keep on top of cleaning that decking!
