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Hi all,

(If there's already an old thread for this please direct me)

I am sometimes faced with cleaning and restoring decking that has been neglected or just looks a bit old and tired. The decking is generally pressure treated softwood.

I've been led to believe that power washing is not good for the wood in the long-term (this may be a myth) and I also want to find products that may last for more than a year before the next overhaul.

I usually recommend staining or colouring the wood darker as it tends to be a way of keeping it looking good for longer, however this is not always what a client wants.

So for example, how does this procedure sound for restoring decking...

1. Sweep and then power-wash (lightly) or simply hose down the decking to remove most of the muck

2. Replace any rotten deck boards, tighten/replace any screwheads or loose nails.

3. Let it dry and apply a fungicidal wash (e.g. the Dulux/ICI one for wood or masonry seems to work well) then further hosing down after at least 24 hours

4. Use a product that will brighten the wood and apply a clear/neutral top coat OR a stain/colour to darken it.

5. Maintain by regularly sweeping/blowing debris from the decking and hope it lasts a while.

I'd like any criticism on this procedure, steps to be added or removed (e.g. power washing if this is a bad idea) and any particular cleaning products or varnishes/paints/treatments that you may have used that have impressed you or lasted well. I'd be grateful of any other info that you could offer on this subject. Thanks.

Robert Taylor - R E Taylor Garden Services