What to expect when cleaning a deck after flooding

After floodwaters have receded, your timber deck is likely to have swelled with water and to be contaminated with debris. In other words, your deck will be dirty and very, very wet.

What you can do about it

Wait for the water to subside.

Decks are made to be durable through extreme weather so there is no need to worry about your deck before you can see it and safely access it again.

Wash your deck.

Using CUTEK^® Quickclean, or any household detergent with water, wash your deck with a soft broom. This will remove any debris and minimise the chances of fungal growth or other contaminants from settling into the timber.

Rinse thoroughly.

After washing, use your garden hose to rinse the deck thoroughly. Ensure all soap and debris is gone from the surface of the deck.

Allow the deck to dry.

Depending on how long your deck was submerged, the type of timber, and the upcoming weather forecast it could take a several days or weeks to dry.

Once your deck is thoroughly dry, you may decide to touch it up with a fresh coat of CUTEK^®. Ensure the deck is completely dry before applying any product to it to ensure the best results.

If you need assistance or advice about maintaining your CUTEK^® after flood, call 1300 CUTEK or send us a message to find out more.

The post How to Clean Your Deck After Flooding appeared first on CUTEK® Timber Protection.

1. Environmentally friendly 

Wood is an environmentally sustainable product. It is biodegradable and renewable with many species harvested from Australian plantations. 

Timber has a low carbon footprint making it a greenhouse friendly choice when compared to most other building materials. It makes a positive contribution to the long-term reduction of carbon emissions. 

Approximately half of the dry weight of a living tree is carbon that can be stored for the lifetime of the tree and retained through the timber manufacturing process. Using sustainable timber means that on replanting, the cycle of carbon absorption and retention starts again. 

Reclaimed or recycled timber is also an environmentally sound choice as no trees need to be cut down. 

2. Versatility 

Wood is easily workable, highly machinable and can be fabricated into all kinds of shapes and sizes to fit the variety of requirements for construction projects. 

Timber is extremely versatile and is used extensively for a breadth of applications, from structural beams to decking, flooring or boat building. Timber is also used widely for furniture and interiors. 

3. Longevity and ability to withstand extreme conditions 

Timber has the ability to survive hundreds of years even within extreme environments. However, this is dependent on choosing the correct timber for the environment the timber will be put into service.  For example, when building a jetty or wharf where the timber is constantly exposed to seawater, Turpentine is an ideal timber choice as it is highly resistant to marine borers. Whereas, Western Red Cedar is a durable above-ground timber used for cladding, shingles, doors and windows, but is not suitable for in-ground use.  

4. Financial viability 

Wood is a natural resource and is an increasingly popular feature in home projects. The wide range of timber species available give options to suit any budget, from more expensive hardwoods to lower cost, treated pine. 

5. Aesthetics 

Timber can be used throughout the home where it provides natural warmth and is considered an aesthetically pleasing choice. With a wide range of species available, timber has the potential to achieve many different looks. From lighter shades of Ash or Oak to the darker, reddish browns of Cedar or Jarrah there is a timber to complement every colour palette. 

6. Acoustic properties 

Wood, such as Western Red Cedar, has highly-sought-after acoustic properties. It can absorb sound and echoes making it the material of choice for installations where acoustics are critical.  

7. Health and wellbeing 

Timber is non-toxic and safe to handle. The health benefits of being surrounded by wood are well researched and documented. 

Reported advantages of exposure to timber include greater emotional wellbeing, improved air quality resulting in easier breathing and lower blood pressure, heart rate and stress levels. 

Timber can also give feelings of warmth and comfort and is often used for installations in aged care facilities, medical centres and hospitals. 

Architects are increasingly turning to nature-connected design. With people spending more and more time indoors, interiors or deck designs featuring timber is an excellent way of achieving the associated health benefits. 

If you are looking to include timber in your home project, get in touch with our friendly sales team to find out which CUTEK® product is best for your project. 

The post Seven Reasons to Use Timber for Your Next Project appeared first on CUTEK® Timber Protection.

Exposure to sun, wind, salt, sand and ocean moisture can cause significant damage and result in premature failure of wooden decking boards.

With a close proximity to the sea, decking will need a high level of protection from the harsh elements to ensure longevity.

Removal of salt from the wood

Moist salt air can be a challenge for oceanside decking. Once salt finds its way into timber via cracks, salt crystals can form and grow. Over time they push the fibres of the timber out making it appear fuzzy.

Prevention includes frequent power rinsing to wash the salt off. Using CUTEK® Restore will ensure that all traces of salt are removed.

Seal regularly for longevity

After removing salt particles from the wood, the next step is to apply a protective coating.

Most coatings, deck stains and oils trap moisture and can be the cause of premature wood failure through rot and decay. CUTEK® Extreme CD50 penetrates the wood to protect from within and keep moisture out, including the salt air and sea-spray of a beachside location.

CUTEK® coatings never peel or flake but will need more regular recoats in a marine setting.

The professional’s choice

Architects, designers and engineers continue to use timber for coastal structures, including resorts and beachside clubs. They turn to CUTEK® Extreme CD50 for professional hard-wearing protection of installations against the elements.

Deck care is important. Regular cleaning, staining and coating with quality products will give oceanside decks the protection they need to withstand their harsh environment.

The post Maintaining an oceanside deck appeared first on CUTEK® Timber Protection.

1. Inspect and rectify

Replace any loose boards and fix protruding nails. If you have potplants on your deck, check the wood underneath – and make sure they’re placed on top of blocks so they don’t trap dirt or moisture on the deck’s surface.

2. Time for a clean slate

Summer sun, spills, barbecues, and foot traffic all leave their mark on your deck. And soon it will face winter chills and rain. (Not to mention year-round bird droppings, which look terrible as well as being acidic: bad news for your timber deck surface.)

It’s important to give your deck a deep clean once a year – and winter is a great window. CUTEK®’s range of powerful wood cleaning products will restore timber to look like new, while being incredibly easy to use for swimming pool areas, timber cladding, fences and verandas. Safe and easy to use, CUTEK® cleaners and strippers work magic on stains, oxidisation, grime and grey timber.

3. A winter coat (or recoat)

Decks are particularly vulnerable to the elements – and the dreaded splitting and warping of boards. A vital ingredient for deck care, high-quality oil protection helps your timber decking maintain its great looks, stability and longevity.

CUTEK® oils penetrate deep into the wood core upon application, protecting it from the damaging effects of water and significantly increasing the life of your deck. You can allow the wood to age gracefully into a beautiful silver patina on exposure to sunlight. Or you can add a Colourtone to the clear oil, choosing from 16 options. A winter deck makeover perhaps?

4. Know your stuff

Before cleaning and oiling your deck, do your homework so you do it right. While it can be tempting to launch right in, making sure you use the right products for your wood – and follow the right process – can save time and heartache while getting the best results. The CUTEK® website makes it easy with ‘how to’ videos to guide you every step of the way.

Talk to us more about how CUTEK® oil can protect and revive your deck this winter.

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