Once the cooler months arrive after a long summer, it’s easy to forget about maintaining your deck when the days become shorter. Winter temperatures and conditions can quickly cause your deck to weaken and warp, leaving it structurally damaged by the time spring comes around. The secret to keeping your deck in perfect condition all year round is simple - maintenance and care.
One of the simplest ways to keep your deck in great condition throughout the year is by just checking on it. When you have a look, there may be a splinter in the timber or a few nails starting to protrude. While small issues like these may seem insignificant and not worth the hassle, leaving them unresolved is likely to cause deeper structural damage. By taking the time to inspect and repair any damage, you’ll avoid larger costs down the track.
Consciously reminding yourself to keep an eye on your deck, even when storm season passes and wilder weather seemingly calms down, is the first step in making sure your deck lasts.
Our tips:
Fallen flowers and leaves might look like pretty decor when spread over your deck, reminiscent of the summertime. When left unattended, they gradually become a hotbed for mould, mildew, moss and algae. Natural debris residing on your deck is prone to causing structural damage.
Queensland’s typically humid climate creates a haven for stubborn mould to grow, only to persist into the winter months without many of us realising. If left to fester in its new home – your deck – mould spreads across the timber.
Our tips:
If you’ve found mould or mildew growing on your deck, the time has passed for a casual tidy-up – you need to combat it with direct cleaning measures.
Stubborn mould may need extra applications. Make sure you closely follow manufacturer or supplier instructions when finishing your deck. We recommend not using a high pressure blast to wash your deck – depending on the timber, it may cause more damage.
Once you’ve finished cleaning your deck up, the final step is staining the surface and treating the timber with preservatives. Using a protective stain or sealant is ideal for creating a barrier against harsh winter conditions, keeping your timber from splitting, cracking and warping.
Not only does staining your timber offer greater protection, it also allows the natural texture and grain to show. Retaining the natural aesthetic of timber, the stain protectant gives your deck an improved shine and lasting colour.
Our tips:
Now that you’ve repaired, cleaned and stained your deck, all that’s left is keeping it neat and tidy. By inspecting and treating your timber deck every few years, the less ongoing maintenance needed and additional costs from fixing structural decay.
Do cover shrubbery and plants with a tarp
Do sand your deck before using a sealant
Do keep your deck free of debris by sweeping
Don’t use chlorine or bleach to clean your deck
Don’t use paint as a sealant
Don’t high pressure wash your deck
Still got more questions about your deck? Our decking FAQs have got you sorted. For more information, contact us - your local timber experts.