With Autumn just around the corner, Jimmy Englezos, a woodcare expert at Ronseal has shared how homeowners can protect their decking from potential damage throughout Autumn and prepare it ahead of Winter.
As Jimmy explains: “Autumn typically brings increased rainfall and colder temperatures which can potentially damage exterior wood.”
“This is because wood is highly sensitive to moisture and water as it naturally absorbs it and causes the wood to expand. As the wood then dries out, it shrinks back to its original size and shape.”
“Over time, this expansion and contraction will result in cracks and warping of the wooden boards which will lead to them needing replaced.”
“Untreated wood is also susceptible to rot and decay over time if exposed to moisture. It can take as little as 10 days for wood rot to take hold and in these circumstances the only treatment is to remove and replace the affected decking boards.”
Three ways homeowners can protect their decking in Autumn:
1. Sweep off any standing water – Following any heavy rainfall, make sure to check that there are no puddles or standing water on the decking surface. You want to limit the woods’ exposure to water to prevent any rotting.
If there is standing water, use a soft bristled brush to sweep it away. Make sure to sweep along the groove lines and not against them – this will remove the most water.
2. Check the gaps are clear – Deck gaps are essential to allow the wooden boards to expand and contract naturally. These gaps also act as drainage and help to prevent any pooling water.
Make sure to regularly check that these gaps have not become blocked with any debris such as falling leaves or dirt. Regularly use a soft-bristled brush to sweep away any built-up dirt or debris – sometimes a toothbrush can be useful for hard-to-reach places.
3. Inspect for damage – The earlier you spot any signs of rotting and damage the better you’ll be able to treat the issue and prevent it from spreading.
Things to look out for include bubbling or peeling paint, holes in the wood surface, crumbling or soft sections, and visible rotting. If you spot any of these, be sure to assess the extent of the damage and remove the rotten board before it can spread.
How to waterproof decking ahead of Winter
Decking stain is a go-to choice for waterproofing wooden decking. However, you must make sure any old treatments have been cleaned off beforehand otherwise the stain won’t stick as effectively.
Most new decks also come with some waterproof protection so this needs to be removed beforehand using some decking cleaner or decking reviver to strip it back to bare wood.
Your decking stain is best applied in temperatures above 10°C and on a clear, dry day.
Also make sure your deck is thoroughly dry before you begin – usually you will need several hours for the deck to dry afterward so it’s better to do it early Autumn whilst the weather is still mostly dry.
- Clean the decking – Sweep your decking with a stiff broom to remove debris, leaves and dirt that can work their way into the grooves.
- Apply first layer – Give the stain a good stir and dip in your brush or pad. Brush along the length of the boards. Work on 3-4 boards at a time so you don’t get any overlap marks.
- Leave to dry – Leave at least four hours between each coat. Luckily the stain will be rainproof after 90 minutes if you get unlucky with the weather.
- Apply second layer – Following the same method apply the second layer of stain and leave this to dry.
- Check your decking – After 24 hours you’ll be able to get your furniture out and use the decking once again.
Ronseal’s Ultimate Protection Decking Stain was recently awarded a Which? Best Buy for decking stains, and described as “completely resistant to heavy footfall, scuffing and rough brushing”.
For more details, please see the Ronseal website: https://www.ronseal.com/products/ultimate-protection-decking-stain/
