If you have decking in your garden, it’s important to take steps to protect it from damage. Decking is a popular choice for gardens because it offers the perfect mix of style and functionality and it can completely transform the space – but it’s also susceptible to damage from a range of sources. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the ways you can protect your decking and keep it looking good for years to come!
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What Damages Your Decking?
- Rainwater: Decking is at risk of rotting when it absorbs too much water, which can happen when rainwater isn’t drained away properly. Water will seep into the wood and cause the surface to warp – this, in turn, makes your deck slippery and leads to a more serious problem later on where boards start pulling apart from one another.
- UV Rays: The sun’s UV rays can cause the wood to fade and become brittle, which makes it more likely to crack or split. Over time, you may notice that it turns a dull grey colour instead of a natural shade of brown.
- Dirt and grime: If you don’t clean your decking regularly, dirt and grimes can build up on the surface. This will make it slippery when wet, which is a hazard for anyone using the deck – particularly if there are children around! It’s also worth noting that mould and mildew can grow quickly in damp, dirty conditions.
- Wildlife: Depending on the location of your decking, you may also experience problems with wildlife. Squirrels, birds, and other animals can cause damage by digging holes in search of food or shelter from bad weather. Animal droppings, especially bird droppings, are very acidic and can corrode the decking.
If you have decking in your garden and you want it to stay looking great for years to come, you need to tackle these problems.
How To Protect Decking
There are a few simple things you can do to protect your decking from damage.
Regular cleaning
It’s important to keep your decking clean and free from debris, dirt and grime. You should also check for signs of mould or mildew growing on the surface. Sweep any loose debris from the surface every week or so, and give it a good clean with warm soapy water from time to time. You can also use a watered down bleach solution to get rid of mould and mildew. Alternatively, you can use a pressure washer, just make sure you keep the pressure below 1200 psi or you risk damaging the wood.
Refinishing the wood
If your decking is starting to look a bit worse for wear, you may need to refinish the wood. Start by sanding down the surface to remove any loose or peeling paint or stain, then apply a coat of fresh decking stain or sealant. The best semi transparent deck stain will help protect the wood from moisture and UV rays, and it will also make the decking look newer and more vibrant. Ideally, you should refinish the wood once a year for maximum protection. Use products that contain mildewcide to avoid mould and mildew growth in the future too.
Protecting from the sun
Deck stain will give some UV protection but if the deck is in an area that gets a lot of direct sunlight, you should consider putting some kind of coverage over the top. This could be a pergola, an awning, or even just some large umbrellas. This will help to shield the deck from the strongest rays of the sun and prevent it from fading and becoming brittle. You can get great oak pergola kits so it’s quick and easy to put up a nice quality pergola. Not only does this protect your decking, but it also gives you a nice shaded area to relax on hot days.
Avoiding furniture scratches
If you have outdoor furniture, these can cause scratches and gouges in the decking if they are dragged across it. To avoid this problem, make sure you always lift furniture when moving it around on your deck. You can get some great protective rubber feet for furniture, which will help prevent scratches and gouges. They cost next to nothing and they’re easy to fit, but they’ll make a big difference. You should also protect your deck from potted plants by using a protective mat underneath them. Big scratches are difficult to get out, so it’s important that you take steps to avoid them.
Follow these simple care and maintenance tips and you can protect your decking from damage and keep it looking great.
*This is a collaborative post