Decking can really make a garden, giving you a raised space to relax and entertain that’s often cheaper than a patio. It does need regular care to stay safe and looking good, but it doesn’t have to be hard work if you keep on top of it through the year. Here’s how often to clean decking, how to do it, and how to get it ready for summer and winter.
How often should you clean decking?
- Once a month: sweep it with a stiff brush to clear leaves, debris and moss before they build up.
- Once or twice a year: give it a thorough clean, ideally in spring before you start using it, and in autumn before the wet weather.
- Once a year: protect it with a decking oil or stain after a thorough clean.
Getting your decking ready for spring and summer
- Clear the decks. Move furniture, pots and the barbecue off so you can reach every corner, then sweep it all.
- Check the structure. Walk every board. If any feel soft or spongy, test them with a screwdriver: if it sinks in, the wood is rotten and the board needs replacing. Tighten loose screws, replace rusted ones, and make sure handrails are solid, as that’s where people lean.
- Clean it. Wash it down with a hose, then scrub any stubborn areas with a decking cleaner, following the instructions on the label. Most are left on for 15–20 minutes and then rinsed off. Wear gloves, boots and eye protection. If you use a pressure washer, keep the pressure low and the nozzle moving: too much pressure can tear up the surface of softwood decking.
- Let it dry and look again. Wet decking hides stains. Once it’s dry, check under where the table, chairs and barbecue usually stand, and treat any marks that are left.
- Protect it. Leave it a couple of days to dry right through, then apply a decking oil or stain. Oil gives a clear, water-repellent finish without changing the colour of the wood. Stain adds colour as well as some weather resistance.
Looking after decking in winter
Decking is at its most slippery in winter. You don’t need snow or ice: rain on a layer of algae is enough to cause a nasty fall. Keep sweeping off leaves and debris through the colder months, and deal with green patches as soon as they appear.
It’s tempting to cover decking up for the winter, but wood needs to breathe. Covers trap moisture underneath, which encourages rot and makes the surface more slippery when they come off.
Want it done for you?
I clean wood and composite decking across Wolverhampton, removing algae, moss and grime using methods suited to the type and condition of the decking, so it’s safer to use and ready for you to protect. Send a photo, your postcode, the approximate size and the type of decking if you know it to 07754 405080 by WhatsApp, or see my decking cleaning service.
