As the decking season draws to a close, you might be wondering whether there’s anything you can do to protect your decking before winter arrives. The answer is… if you haven’t treated it over the summer, then possibly not that much! However, there are still some important jobs you can do now to make sure your decking is ready for the colder months and the new season.
Step 1: Check if a last-minute treatment is possible
Most decking treatments need to be applied in dry, warm conditions, so the “decking season” typically runs from spring to late summer. In cooler conditions, below 10°C, many products cannot be applied, while their optimum working temperature is often between 15–25°C.
Attempting to apply decking finishes to a wet deck or in cool or damp weather will usually result in the job not being successful. Stains may lift, while oils can be repelled by residual moisture within the wood. Oils can also develop a white film if they lie on the surface and are then exposed to moisture.
That said, to every rule there is an exception. Everbuild Lumberjack Triple Action Wood Treatment can be applied to damp wood, making it a useful option when the weather is less than ideal. It provides protection against wet rot, dry rot, fungi, and wood-boring insects, and is suitable for exterior wood. However, damp does not mean wet, so always follow the manufacturer's instructions and make sure the surface is clean and free from any previous finishes before application.
If conditions aren't suitable, don't try to force it. There are still useful jobs you can do now, and you can carry out the main treatment when the weather improves.
Step 2: Seal the end grain
Before the weather closes in too much, treat the sawn ends of your decking planks with an end grain sealer. End grain is particularly susceptible to water ingress, so sealing it will inhibit the absorption of water and greatly reduce the risk of the wood swelling or splitting over the winter. This is a relatively quick job, but one that can make a significant difference to the condition of your decking.
Step 3: Keep the Deck Clean
Even if it's too late in the year to apply a new finish, keeping the deck clean is one of the most useful things you can do. Remove leaves, dirt, and other potential contaminants regularly, particularly decaying leaves that can remain damp against the surface. Keeping the deck clear will help prevent the build-up of organic matter and make sure you're ready to start your preparation properly when the new season arrives.
Step 4: Identify greying, moss, mould, and algae
If the wood begins to grey and lose its natural colour, there are products available to restore the decking to its normal state before a finish is applied when the weather improves. These products can also deal with any moss, mould, or algae growth that may have occurred over winter.
You don't necessarily need to wait until spring to identify these problems. Checking the decking now means you can plan the cleaning and restoration work you’ll need to do when conditions are suitable for treatment.
Step 5: Plan for the new decking season
Brand-new decks need a period of weathering before they can accept a treatment. For softwoods, this would be a few weeks, but for tightly grained, oily hardwoods, this period may be as long as a year. If you have a new deck, check the manufacturer's recommendations before deciding when to apply a finish.
For an existing deck, autumn and winter are a good time to work out what products you'll need for the new season. There’s a good chance that there will be price increases before the next decking season starts, so why not take advantage of the current deals on decking products? If we get an early spring, you’ll be ready to go!
Your end-of-season decking checklist
- Seal exposed end grain to reduce water ingress.
- Clear leaves and debris from the deck regularly.
- Check for greying, moss, mould, and algae and make sure you prepare for treating as necessary in the spring.
- Plan your spring treatment and make sure you have everything you need.
A little preparation now can save you time when the weather improves. If it's too cold or damp to treat your decking, don't worry - keeping it clean, protecting exposed end grain, and planning ahead will still help you start the new decking season on the right foot.
