Decking is a fantastic addition to most gardens and whether you’re considering new decking or need repairs carried out, it’s essential to keep it in tip-top condition to benefit from the ultimate reward.
Once installed, garden decking will need to have some level of maintenance to keep it in a great condition. But if any problem does strike it’s essential to have it dealt with as quickly as possible. For instance, a rotten joist could cause sagging and more damage in the future, adding more to your cost of repair.
Common decking problems
Decking problems can be caused by a number of factors, but will typically be because of:
- Water exposure
- Wood rot
- Loose railings or boards
- Damaged support beams
- Damaged wooden planks
Unfortunately, water is one of the significant causes of decking problems, especially in parts of the country that receive a high level of rainfall. Moisture will soak into the wooden decking, which can then cause expansion and contraction. This leads to splitting and cracking and screws loosening. As a result you’ll find areas of the decking can be weakened so it’s essential to have repair work completed quickly.
Preventing damage to your decking
If you want to avoid the headache of large repair bills for your decking, it’s advised to carry out regular inspections and ensure there are no loose nails or screws, signs of rotting or cracked wood. Applying a waterproofing treatment is a fantastic way to limit moisture exposure and cleaning it thoroughly after the winter season to help prevent damage is a good idea. Leaving a problem will inevitably lead to more complications, so have it dealt with as soon as it’s spotted.
Maintaining your garden decking
Garden decking doesn’t require too much maintenance throughout the year, but the idea will be to keep the wood’s surface in a good condition. Even dirt and grease build-up can discolour your decking so it’s recommended by professionals in the industry to have a pressure wash at least once a year. Once it has been sprayed you should look to use a specialist cleaner to remove further dirt and will help to restore it to its former glory.
Water repellent can also be used to treat the decking. Other maintenance could be applying paint or stain to stop the wood from fading with the years. This is a way of preventing cracks in the wood too. The Timber Decking Association (TDA) also recommends using a stiff broom to frequently brush the decking. This can help in stopping the build-up of algae and moss which can make it slippery when wet.