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.

Why water and wood matters

Water is the enemy of wood as it is hygroscopic. In the built environment liquid and gas phase moisture flows in and out of timber causing swelling and shrinking. Over time, repeated wet-to-dry cycles can cause timber to crack, split, warp and rot.

One of the core features of hydrophobic CUTEK® oil is that it deeply penetrates into timber, assisting with protection against liquid and gas phase moisture, effectively protecting wood from the inside out. However, not all timber is the same. Different species exhibit different cell structures/densities, and contain different extractives which affect how a particular wood species handles moisture.

To determine the effect CUTEK® oil has on the water intake of different species of timber the CUTEK® Lab decided to test CUTEK® on 12 different species of timber.

The test

We applied two coats of CUTEK® Extreme CD50 on 12 different wood species cuts two weeks apart and left to sit indoors for two months. We then submerged these 12 coated wood cuts under water for four days. Simultaneously, we submerged the same species wood cuts, not coated with CUTEK® Extreme CD50 as a control.

After four days, the wood cuts were removed and surface water was removed. Gravimetric determination was made of the volume of water absorbed by both the CUTEK® coated and uncoated cuts by way of comparison.

The results

Analysis

The results demonstrated that CUTEK® Extreme CD50 has significant impact in reducing liquid and gas phase moisture uptake across all the different species of timber tested. Across the 12 tested species, coating in CUTEK® Extreme CD50 reduced water intake by an average of 54%.

Conclusion

Wood coated in CUTEK® Extreme CD50 offers considerable protection against the negative affects of water penetration. Be sure to stay tuned for further developments and testing from our CUTEK® Lab.

The post The power of CUTEK® Extreme CD50 to protect timber against moisture appeared first on CUTEK® Timber Protection.

So, what is the CUTEK® difference?

The problem with traditional coatings

Examining the issue with traditional coatings will help to explain why CUTEK® is so different.

When first applied to timber, traditional coatings look good on the surface. However they have a common weakness. Exposure to the elements, including harsh UV rays and rain will cause damage to timber over time.

 1. Traditional coatings sit on the top of the timber

2. UV rays break down the coating and cause it to peel leaving the timber exposed.

3. When it rains, moisture gets in causing the timber to swell.

4. The timber then shrinks in the sun.

After exposure to the elements, the wood cracks, splits, warps and rots. Re-coating with a traditional product will cause the cycle to repeat itself and your timber installation won’t last.

‘The CUTEK® Difference’

CUTEK® wood finishes work differently to traditional wood protection products. Instead of sitting on the surface of the timber, the oils diffuse deeply into the wood to protect it from the inside out.

CUTEK® oil penetrates deeply into the timber and repels water.

The timber stays better protected for longer in all weather conditions.

CUTEK® stays mobile inside the wood – if you can add a fastener or cut the timber it will self-heal.

CUTEK®’s unique formula has been developed by our team of experts to keep timber more stable over time. You can protect your investment and enjoy the beautiful look of your timber installation for much longer.

The CUTEK® difference: timber that stands the test of time.

Our wood protection system is proven and chosen by industry professionals time and again.  Use CUTEK® for your next project to experience ‘The CUTEK® Difference’ for yourself.

Watch ‘The CUTEK® Difference’ video.

The post What is ‘The CUTEK® Difference’? appeared first on CUTEK® Timber Protection.