To keep your garden decking looking great and give it a longer lifespan, good cleaning and maintenance are essential. Spending an hour or two on cleaning can make your decking last years longer, so it’s worth the effort every time.
Regular cleaning will keep mould, moss, algae, and other undesirables under control so they don’t damage the decking boards, cause the wood to rot, or create dangerous, slippery surfaces.
The specific details of your decking maintenance plan will depend on the type of decking you choose (composite, hardwood, or softwood) and the conditions it is exposed to, but it is usually a good idea to sweep regularly, and do a thorough cleaning at least once a year and apply a new coat of sealant.
Check the recommendations for your specific decking boards to get the best results, or talk to our team for advice and ideas on 0160 496 2374.
Get everything out of the way so you can clean properly – that means plants, furniture, dirt, and anything else that’s not nailed down.
Moving all that heavy furniture is no fun, we know, but it’s amazing how much dirt can collect under table legs and around the base of potted plants. And all that dirt leads to more problems, so you need to get rid of it. Take care when moving those items, as the last thing anyone wants is extra scratches and scrapes on the decking boards.
Once everything is out the way, sweep the decking – not just the surface, but the grooves between boards too.
Together Tip:
Sweep in parallel with the decking boards, in line with the grain of the wood, as this is less likely to scratch and more likely to get to dirt stuck between the boards.
You can use a garden hose to rinse off a lot of dirt and debris that have gathered on your garden decking, but is a pressure washer more effective for decking maintenance?
Not always… it can damage softer decking boards, and it can remove sealants and coatings, leaving the boards more vulnerable to damage.
A pressure washer is more suitable for composite decking, but you should still take care. Use the lowest setting and don’t hold the pressure washer too close to the decking, even when aiming directly at a glob of dirt.
The areas that need the most attention are often those around or under furniture and potted plants – that’s where you’ll see dirt has collected – but don’t forget to spray the hose or power washer into grooves and spaces between the decking boards where you can’t always see the nasties that have collected.
Bleach and harsh chemicals are great for cleaning other surfaces, but decking can become discoloured and damaged, so it’s best to avoid these. There are a lot of specialist deck cleaning products on the market, or you can use a solution of dish soap and warm water. There is no substitute for elbow grease – so scrubbing your decking is the best way to keep it sparkling clean.
While you’re scrubbing, take care not to scratch or damage the decking boards with the hard brush bristles.
Again, harsh chemicals are not a good idea for treating decking, but there are specialty products – e.g. concentrated disinfectants– that you can spray onto any mould, algae and moss.
Spray it directly onto the affected area… and that’s it, you’re done! The spray will also prevent future growth.
After cleaning your decking, make sure it stays in good condition by applying a sealant.
NB: The decking must be completely dry before you start applying sealant, as sealing in any water will cause the wood to rot.
Sealers have all sorts of specialised functions, including waterproofing and preventing mould, and different brands/types will be suitable for different kinds of decking – as always, check the decking board manufacturer’s recommendations before you buy.
Before applying the sealer, sweep again to get rid of any bits and pieces that have landed on the decking while you were busy with other things! There will almost always be a leaf or some pollen floating about.
Follow the sealant instructions, and make sure it is completely dry before you put back any furniture or décor.
With all the care and maintenance in the world, there will come a time when your decking can’t be properly cleaned anymore and needs to be replaced.
Hopefully, if you have been regularly cleaning and maintaining the decking, this will be many years in the future! But when you do need to make that decision, our team is here to help you make it simple and cost-effective – give us a call on 0160 496 2374 for help and advice any time.
We can also help you find the new decking of your dreams when you do need to replace it, and help you make sure it lasts even longer.
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