Category: Winter

How to revive your decking in four easy steps

It’s incredibly important to keep on top of your decking maintenance. You’ve spent a good deal of time and money on your deck, but it’s starting to show its age, or maybe you’ve fallen behind with maintenance. Whatever your reason for wanting to revive your decking, there are plenty of ways you can do it yourself without having to pay for expensive contractors (or even hiring one at all!). Here are four easy steps that will help restore the smoothness of your once-perfect decking:

What you’ll need:

1. Clear the decking

To begin, you need a completely clear decking space so you can thoroughly clean it, remove any furniture blocking access to the wood. Grab your tough brush and give the decking a good sweep to dislodge any dirt. Don’t worry if the brush doesn’t clear any tough dirt, the cleaner will loosen those up!

Your decking should be completely clear and all loose debris swept away.

2. Clean the area

Before you power ahead, read the instructions on the back of the packet of your chosen cleaner. Some cleaners don’t need water and can be poured directly onto your decking.

Pour your decking cleaner over the decking and immediately scrub it into the surface then leave it for 15 minutes to soak in. We used Ronseal Decking Cleaner as it removes dirt, grease, fungus, stains, algae, and mildew and saves you the hassle of heavy scrubbing.

Ensure the decking cleaner is thoroughly scrubbed in.

Once 15 minutes have passed, grab your pressure washer or hose and thoroughly wash your decking. Enjoy watching all the dirt buildup wash away and seeing your decking slowly revive!

Use your hose or power washer to wash away the dirt!

3. Stain your decking

Whilst this step is optional, we do recommend staining or treating your decking with an oil. We used a Cuprinol Anti-slip Deck Stain which colours your deck with a tough, durable water-repellent protective coat that resists cracking and peeling caused by weather. For Cuprinol, apply 2-3 coats evenly along the grain, avoiding overlaps, and allow each coat to dry fully before recoating. The stain should dry within 2-6 hours, depending on the nature of the surface and the weather conditions.

Cuprinol Anti-slip Decking Stain with invisible anti-slip microbeads gives a semi-transparent, matt finish that will revive your decking!

4. Enjoy your perfect decking!

After all that hard work, enjoy how perfect your clean decking looks! It’s now ready for warmer weather, BBQs, and plenty of footfall.

Recreate this beautiful softwood decking using our individual boards and rope handrails!

Looking for the best deals on decking?

Check out our amazing deals here on the eDecks website!

We also offer plenty of support and expert advice for most projects – and any products we sell online. Contact eDecks here for personalised advice for your project today.

At eDecks you can not only expect a good deal but also:

Superfast FREE delivery on orders over £150*

48 hour delivery on many products

Handy FREE installation guides (and even instructional videos!)

*Free delivery applies to most of the UK, but some areas may incur a charge, unfortunately – please check the eDecks website for more details.

How to Protect Your Decking During Winter

The winter months can be harsh on all areas of your garden, but decking is often the hardest hit. In this blog, we are going to share tips and tricks for the ultimate maintenance so you can protect your decking and have it ready for summer!

Credit: Fiberon on Pinterest

Ronseal Decking Oil

This Ronseal oil is one of the most popular deck products for a reason, it’s easy to use and the process is incredibly simple. This particular product is a durable scuff-resistant oil that forms a waterproof barrier to protect against weathering, warping, swelling, drying and splitting, all of which are common issues caused by damp weather and, as a bonus, hardly changes the natural colour of your decking. Not only that, but it resists mould and algae growth and its fade resistant finish protects against UV rays. This oil is great for use on both hardwood and softwood decking.

2.5 litres only £25.49 each. Fully inclusive of VAT!

Credit: Melinda King on Pinterest

Ronseal Ultimate Decking Oil

If you have maintained your deck throughout the year, you may not want to do another full treatment. This ultimate decking protection gives superior nourishment and protection from all the elements with a natural finish similar to the classic Ronseal oil, it’s great if you have previously used this and want to give your decking some extra protection. It’s rainproof in just 90 minutes and resists mould and algae growth and also lasts twice as long as standard decking oils so you don’t need to worry about topping it up when summer comes back around.

5 litres only £35.60 each. Fully inclusive of VAT!

Credit: Mataverde on Pinterest

Joist End Grain Sealer

This product is a clear preserver, so it protects your decking whilst maintaining its colouring. It is formulated to protect against attack by wood-rotting fungi and will protect your deck from testing weather conditions but is only for use as a preservative. We recommend using two coats of this product for it to be more effective.

500 ml only £10.19 each. Fully inclusive of VAT!

Credit: Frederick on Pinterest

Decking Protector Natural

Last but not least on our decking protection list is Ronseal’s natural decking protector. This product is a unique wax enriched formula that creates a superb barrier against water penetration and helps prevent discolouration by protecting the deck against constant wetting, drying, splitting and swelling. It resists greying, surface mould and algae growth and is ideal for spraying so you won’t have to scrub on your hands and knees.

5 litres only £28.55 each. Fully inclusive of VAT!

Credit: Deck Expressions on Pinterest

Looking for the best deals on decking maintenance?

Check out our amazing deals on decking maintenance here on the eDecks website!

We also offer plenty of support and expert advice for most projects – and any products we sell online. Contact eDecks here for personalised advice for your project today.

At eDecks you can not only expect a good deal but also:

Superfast FREE delivery on orders over £150*

48 hour delivery on many products

Handy FREE installation guides (and even instructional videos!)

*Free delivery applies to most of the UK, but some areas may incur a charge, unfortunately – please check the eDecks website for more details.

Autumn Maintenance Guide

Well it is that time of year again not quite Christmas but definitely a chill in the air and we already have rock salt stocked and ready to go. The leaves are starting to fall and well, land on your lovely decking that you have enjoyed so much this year.

We have had a lovely summer this year; you will have enjoyed plenty of pool days, BBQ’s and lounging around. We can imagine you are not ready to retire your decking just yet.

Autumn Leaves

Here is an autumn maintenance guide to keep your decking top notch ready for winter and next year’s scorcher (fingers crossed).

Let’s start with the leaves we mentioned yes the reds, oranges and yellow colours do make this season magic (it’s a firm favourite with some)  but do not leave the leafs, they will cause havoc with your decking. They retain moisture once wet, moisture plus cold will lead to ice and Icey leaves can be a major hazard. You can try adding these Anti slip-decking strips for added safety.

Cleaning the leaves up early will also, help in the long run as once they start to break down you will have an extra layer of dirt to contend with. So get the blower or brush out and get them shifted.

Next, you will want to prune any overhanging bushes, trees and shrubs, this not only will help with the life of your decking it will also keep it safe and tidy for you to enjoy for a few more months. In addition, if you are a keen gardener this helps keeps your plants healthy (a tip from our green team in the office)
Once you have cleaned off the leaves and removed any furniture take a good look at the decking, is there any mildew forming, dirt or grime. Get the hose on it and clean it like you mean it. Once it’s done it’s done, maybe even something extra to not only clean but also revive from Ronseal. This item opens the pores of the wood allowing maximum adhesion of coatings for a lasting finish.

Now sit back enjoy your hard work and have a safe autumn admiring your hard work.

Using Rock Salt to Protect Your Home This Winter

Today we are going to be taking a look at how to protect your home using Rock Salt. With temperatures already at freezing point, there are a number of ways we can prepare for cold weather, and today we are going to take a look at different precautions to take in order to protect ourselves and our homes.

Must-Do’s;

  • Keep a supply of Rock Salt handy
  • Keep a Shovel nearby to assist in clearing pathways
  • Never use boiling water to melt snow and ice – this can turn into dangerous black ice
  • Pay particular attention to de-icing steps, decking and slopes
  • Ensure you have a good sweeping brush to hand to brush away large quantities of water to prevent it freezing and forming patches of dangerous ice

Snow and ice can cause a multitude of problems around your home and garden, so it is worthwhile taking the time and effort to put procedures in place to ensure you don’t get problems later on. Be sure to take note of our hints and tips to protect your home against snow and ice, keeping yourself and your family safe this Winter.

Gutters & Downpipes

Anywhere that water isn’t able to flow freely can be a problem in colder weather, as still water ends up freezing which can cause blockages. Make sure that you check that all of your gutters are flowing well, and keep checking every couple of weeks for fallen leaves and other debris. One product which will help to ensure gutters and downpipes are kept clear are Porcupine Gutter Brushes, these sit neatly in gutters and let water flow through without other debris getting stuck, or the build-up of ice.

It is also important to bare in mind that any bathroom pipes which run outside your home can also become blocked with ice. Check for any sections that look flat, or where water or ice may get stuck. If you don’t want to change the pipes, then insulate the flat section to prevent it from freezing, as otherwise this could cause internal problems.

Patios & Driveways

Before the weather turns too bad, ensure you get your patio, decking and driveway cleaned now, as wet and algae can be a bad combination and ice can make it worse. Options include, using an anti-algae cleaner, such as the Ronseal Decking Cleaner & Reviver, and a pressure hose to safely clean those areas so that even when the weather is wet or damp, you will still be able to walk on them. It is also worth investing in a supply of de-icing salt or rock salt, and even keep some inside if possible. If you’re expecting frost, then simply sprinkle a little over pathways, steps and driveways the night before to stop them from freezing, and if you forget, or the ice is unexpected, then you still have some inside to use in the morning.

Rock Salt

Rock Salt is perfect for keeping pathways, steps, and driveways clear from ice and by spreading Rock Salt you can quickly diminish the chance of accidents occurring in the areas surrounding your home. If you have a large area to cover, then a Rock Salt Spreader is ideal for use on footpaths, small car parks and school grounds. They have a fair-sized capacity and a handle bar mounted adjustable flow control to help you achieve a wide spreading throw, and with their pneumatic wheels, it makes for easy use over rough ground and icy surfaces.

Rock Salt is an effective way to thaw ice, and can be used in areas where ice might occur in the garden and build up. By sprinkling Rock Salt over these areas, it will melt the top layer of the ice so that it can easily be chipped away and removed. Businesses and schools will also hugely benefit from using Rock Salt, as it can help to make entrances both accessible and danger-free for its users. Rock Salt usage is an essential way of keeping mobility going during the winter, and by taking care of your premises, you are also taking care of customers, friends, neighbours and family, especially vulnerable adults and children.

So, how does it work? Rock Salt works by lowering the melting/freezing point of water and is often formed when sea water evaporates. It is a natural mineral and so it will never go out of date or lose its ability to function, which makes it easy to store for as long as you need to. To avoid lumpy rock salt, be sure to store it indoors, or in a Rock Salt Bin, which can keep the product safe and away from children. Unlike some de-icing liquids, Rock Salt won’t leak or damage furniture or other products stored nearby.

Buying Rock Salt is reasonably priced compared to other de-icing products and it can be bought in bulk bags or in smaller bags, allowing you to cater to your personal needs. It is often worthwhile, and cheaper, to buy Rock Salt in bulk bags, in the event of running out during particularly bad weather. You could even share the cost of a bulk bag with a neighbour – sharing’s caring! When Rock Salt is sprinkled onto the ground it produces a natural grip under foot compared to other de-icing products which can cause the ground to be slippery and unsafe. Once applied, it begins to reduce the temperature of the ice so that it melts rapidly, making steps, pavements and driveways much safer for all.

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