We all strive to make the most of warm weather. Be it family activities or entertaining friends and neighbours, being outside is at the top of most weekend agendas. This thrusts outdoor spaces into the spotlight and you may begin to notice that your deck or dock looks tired and weathered.
If your outdoor wood surface has been left unprotected for a couple of seasons it will likely be grey; the surface may be cracked or splintering and black mould or mildew could be growing on the surface. However there is no need to replace your deck. Today there are new coatings designed to repair these old surfaces and it takes no more than two steps.
- Clean and prepare the surface.
Proper wood surface preparation is of paramount importance. Before applying your coating completely clear the space of furniture and accessories. Be sure to clean the surface of dirt and debris. Consider using a deck cleaner to remove oxidation, dirt, mould, mildew and dead wood fibres. Apply cleaner with a push brush and rinse off with a garden hose. Allow 24 hours for your deck to dry before moving to the next step.
- Protect and seal.
The final step is to simply apply your coating. When selecting a product, look for one that fills cracks, locks down splinters and waterproofs all in one, such as Duckback’s Superdeck Deck and Dock coating which is available in a variety of colours. This elastomeric coating expands with wood up to 180 per cent of its size with no cracking or peeling. Apply your coating with a roller as you would interior wall paint. You may need one to two coats depending on coverage. Allow 24 to 48 hours for dry time then replace outdoor and patio furniture.
Proper preparation and treatment will quickly transform your outdoor spaces.
Ralph Swan is a wood care expert offering services to homeowners.
www.newscanada.com
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