Timber decking is a great addition to any home's outdoor space, as timber can help break up the look of a large, dull lawn, and also soften the look of aluminium siding on a home's exterior. Certain woods, such as cedar and cherry, may also provide a lovely fragrance even long after the decking is installed! While timber decking is very solid and durable, you will still need to care for it properly throughout the years, so note a few tips on how to keep your home's decking in pristine condition and ready for relaxing and entertaining.

Cleaning mould

Mould is especially prevalent on decks that are always in the shade, as the timber then doesn't get a chance to dry out, and mould will form. You can clean mould with a watered-down bleach solution, but you don't want to use too much bleach, as this might dry out the wood. Try adding just a few drop of bleach to a small spray bottle of water and spray  this on the timber decking, then wipe it away with a damp cloth. If this doesn't work, add a few more drops of bleach and spray it again. Keeping doing this, adding more drops of bleach to the water as you go, until the mould is removed.

Warped boards

Once boards become warped, they should be replaced, as warped boards are a tripping hazard, and they often force nails and connectors to push through their surface. Use a pry bar to remove the warped board and then cut a new one to the same size. If the deck is very old and weathered, you may need to sand it and recoat it, so the entire surface matches the new slat.

Scratches

A very light sanding with a fine grit sandpaper can remove scratches, and you would then need to recoat the wood with fresh stain or paint. In some cases, you can also use a soldering iron to patch the wood and cover over a scratch.

If a scratch is too deep for a light repair, cover it with wood putty, buffing the area once it's dry, and then add a fresh coat of paint or stain. Be sure you use a putty meant for the type of timber on your deck, so it blends and adheres well. For a gouge in the wood, cut a piece of wood to fit and use putty to adhere that patch to the slat. This will fill in that hole and make the surface level and even again.