How to properly care for your Timber Deck

Installing a Timber Deck at your property is a big investment. It’s because of this that you’re probably going to want to know how to clean and maintain it.

A properly-cared for Timber Deck has the potential to keep its beautiful colour and natural look for many years. It will also remain smooth to the touch and free from splinters, meaning it won’t pose any danger to kids or pets.

If you look after your Timber Deck every 12 months or so you’ll be able to enjoy your deck for years to come.

How do I clean my Timber Deck?

Keeping the boards in your Timber Deck clean is one of the most important parts of caring for your deck. There are two main steps to cleaning the boards of your deck: preparing the deck, and cleaning the deck, read on to find out best practice for both steps.

How should I prepare my Timber Deck?

The best way to do this is completely clear your deck of all objects. This includes barbecues, furniture, plants and anything else that can be moved.

If any items are too heavy to move, it might be a good idea to put a tarp or a sheet over them to protect them from the detergent. Next, sweep the deck to ensure it is free of all loose dirt, leaves, sticks and loose particles from the deck itself. 

If left for long periods of time, any organic debris can begin to decompose and become acidic, causing damage to your deck.You may want to take a moment to wipe down your outdoor furniture as well.

You don’t want to put dirty furniture back on your clean deck!

How should I clean my Timber Deck?

After you’ve cleared your deck of dirt and debris, it’s time to choose a cleaning agent. You can pick up appropriate cleaning products from any local hardware store, or you can mix your own using any old laundry detergent and water. The water will probably run off your deck and into your garden, so it might be a good idea to use a cleaner that is both non-toxic and eco-friendly.

When it comes to actually cleaning your Timber Deck, you have two main options.

You can either do it the old-fashioned way with a bristle brush and some elbow grease, or you can opt for a power washer. The bristle brush is obviously slightly more labour-intensive and time-consuming, but this method will usually result in a nicer finish. The power washer will mean you spend far less time cleaning, however if the setting is too high it can damage your deck.

Be careful with both methods, as either of them can result in the scratching and splintering of the wood when the proper care is not taken.

You’ll also want to scrub any railings, as well as any other areas that might need extra attention.

The final step to cleaning your deck is to rinse it off. Any old garden hose will work for this part, but make sure you thoroughly rinse the suds away. Detergents may fade or discolour your deck when left for long periods of time, so it’s important to properly rinse your deck after cleaning. After you’ve cleared your deck of dirt and debris, it’s time to choose a cleaning agent.

You can pick up appropriate cleaning products from any local hardware store, or you can mix your own using any old laundry detergent and water. The water will probably run off your deck and into your garden, so it might be a good idea to use a cleaner that is both non-toxic and eco-friendly.

Make sure your deck is completely dry before you move your belongings back to their original positions. Take care as moving heavy objects over a wet deck can result in damage.