Clean grime and algae off your deck, then treat it with oil or stain to protect it for another season.
CD-01Pick your weather and clear the deckCheck the forecast for at least 2 dry days in a row, ideally mild and not too sunny. Move furniture, pots, BBQs and rugs off the decking so you can get at every board. Sweep away leaves, moss and grit from the surface and from between the boards with a stiff broom.
CD-02Protect nearby plantsCover flower beds and shrubs close to the deck with an old sheet, especially before using decking cleaner, which can scorch leaves. Give plants a good soak with the hose first as extra protection.
CD-03Apply decking cleanerMix decking cleaner in a bucket following the strength on the bottle. Apply it over one manageable section at a time with a watering can or broom, and leave it to work for the time stated on the label, usually 10-15 minutes. Don't let it dry out on the wood before you scrub it.
CD-04Scrub the boardsScrub along the grain with a stiff decking brush, going hard at any green or black patches of algae. Work section by section so the cleaner doesn't dry before you rinse it.
CD-05Rinse thoroughlyRinse with a hose, or a pressure washer on a wide fan nozzle held at least 300mm from the surface, moving along the grain. Getting too close or using a narrow jet will gouge the wood fibres and leave permanent stripes. Wear eye protection if using a pressure washer, and give the plants another rinse to wash off any cleaner residue.
CD-06Let the deck dry fullyLeave the deck to dry for at least 24-48 hours before treating it. Decking oil or stain won't soak in properly on damp wood and will look patchy. Press a dry cloth onto a board to check; if it comes away damp, give it more time.
CD-07Check boards and fixings, sand rough spotsWalk the whole deck and check for loose boards, raised nail heads or screws that need tightening. Sand any rough, grey or splintered patches with 120-grit sandpaper, working along the grain, then sweep off the dust.
CD-08Apply decking oil or stainStir the tin well before you start. Apply with a decking brush or pad, working along the grain, one or two boards at a time, and keep a wet edge as you go so you don't get patchy overlap lines. Don't overload the brush - the oil should soak in, not sit in puddles on top.
CD-09Apply a second coat if the label says toCheck the tin's instructions - most decking oils need a second coat once the first has dried, often 4-6 hours later. If the label recommends it, rub over lightly with a dry cloth before the second coat to knock back any raised grain.
CD-10Keep off the deck while it cures, then clean upKeep people, pets and furniture off the deck for at least 24 hours, longer in cold or damp weather - check the tin for the exact time. Clean brushes and tools with the solvent the label recommends, usually white spirit for oil-based products or water for water-based ones, before the product dries hard on them.
1 500ml · White spirit (if oil-based product used)