A wooden terrace requires regular maintenance in order to retain its natural appearance and splendor. Here are some essential tips to avoid damaging the blades and make the wood shine a thousand lights.
Special degreaser for wood
The first step to follow is the use of a special degreaser for wood. This product eliminates dirt and grayness from the terrace. Dilute approximately 1 liter of degreaser in 1 liter of water and leave to act for at least 10 to 15 minutes before scrubbing vigorously with a broom. Then rinse the surface with clean water, preferably with a garden hose, to permanently remove the stains.
Using a sober remover both protects and nourishes parquet, which tends to lose its original color over time. The use of a high protection saturator makes it possible to have a beading effect on the terrace. But make a distinction between products that are non-slippery, non-oily and compatible for all types of wood:teak, pine, rosewood, larch, bankiraï, oak, etc. Finally, to preserve the natural color and avoid food soiling, you will need a concentrated cleaning product. Apply a coat early and late in the season.
The maintenance of a wooden terrace is done at most once or twice a year. You can use a simple technique, i.e. using a brush, a jet of water or soapy water collected in a bucket. Start cleaning the surface after the wet seasons, before the summer period, for example. By carrying out this washing, all the impurities as well as the traces of pollution which accumulate between the woods will be expelled. If you wait too long to clean, the moss will pile up and the floor will be very slippery.
To properly remove dirt, scrub the surface with a stiff brush, especially on duller and slippery areas. Try to clear the bottoms of grooves if possible. You can also use a high-pressure cleaner, but with moderate power and at a distance of 50 cm so as not to damage the decking boards.
Wood always ends up graying over time from being exposed to sun, water and UV rays. This is why you must use protective oils. Like the cleanser and the saturator, the protective oil is applied once or twice a year, just after cleaning. It delays the graying phenomenon. The use of protective oil will enhance the natural color of your terrace by giving it a wet look. However, you have to apply several coats to have a permanent result.
On the other hand, linseed oil is a product to avoid, because it leaves black marks on your parquet. The same goes for varnish, paint and stain, which are film-forming products, they prevent the wood from breathing.
