Decking Maintenance Tips

Once your decking is installed, help it live a long life by looking after it well.

Good quality decking will look fantastic in any setting, and once you have chosen and installed your decked area, you’ll need to make sure that you get the best value for money over the long term. The way to do that is to take the time to keep your decking well maintained. It’s not an arduous job, but a little attention at the right time can make all the difference.

Keep Your Decking Pristine

The first step to long-lasting decking is to choose good materials in the first place. If you buy garden fence panels @ eDecks you are guaranteed quality products. Inferior wood will be subject to damp and fungal problems, which can cause the wood to rot and to become slippery and dangerous underfoot. Investing in better quality wood in the first place will ensure that your decking gets off to a great start. Look for timber that has been treated, and is hard-wearing, which will protect it against water damage and decay. You might also want to choose wood that has been given anti-slip treatment, which will make it safer for everyone using it. Once you’ve chosen the right material, ongoing maintenance should include:

• Sweeping – a build up of leaves or plant matter on your decking can lead to fungal decay. Keep your deck free by sweeping it when you see plant matter accumulating on your deck. As most decking is a reasonable size, this job doesn’t take long, but can make all the difference to the longevity of your decking.

• Washing – most people only use their decking during the warmer summer season, so before and after the winter months, it’s advisable to give your deck a good wash to get rid of general dirt. A pressure washer is the easiest and quickest way to do this – give it a spray down at the end of the season and then again at the beginning so that you know you’re starting with a clean deck.

• Treating – when you buy your decking materials, check with your supplier about the treatment the wood has already had and what will be needed in the future. You may need to re-waterproof your decking each year, or you may wish to stain it a different colour – checking this out when you buy means that you get the right advice fro the experts so that you can make the best decision for your decking.