The 4 Most Common Mistakes People Make With Hardwood Decking And Its Maintenance

Feature Photo – SLS Baha Mar 3

One of the best ways to avoid costly problems is by steering clear of common mistakes with hardwood decking. Tropical hardwood is prized for its durability and low maintenance, but it still needs the right care to retain its natural beauty.

A simple routine is all it takes: check your deck every six months, clean it regularly, and apply a quality hardwood oil to protect it. These steps keep your deck strong and looking vibrant.

One of the biggest mistakes with hardwood decking is neglecting to apply UV-protectant oil. Without it, the rich tones of the wood will gradually fade into a silver patina. Homeowners who are unaware of this natural change are often surprised and sometimes disappointed by the shift in color.

Taking advantage of the knowledge and expertise of our team here at Brazilian Lumber, here is a list of some of the common deck maintenance mistakes and how not to make them. 

So, if you want to preserve the lifespan of your wooden deck, avoid making some of the more common mistakes. For example, using too much pressure when pressure washing, painting your deck or using products that are not suitable for wooden structures, such as bleach or wire brushes.

When in doubt, check out this list of deck maintenance errors to make sure you’re doing a good job with yours. These are our 4 tips for your deck:

The 4 Biggest Mistakes With Hardwood Decking

1. Don’t Neglect The Safety Of Your Hardwood Deck

When building a new space in your home, it’s important to make sure the environment is safe for everyone.  This includes children, pets, and visitors. 

Provide enough lighting around the deck and stairs, so everyone can see where they are going. The railing around the deck and stairs should be strong, sturdy, and high enough to prevent accidental falls. You also want to make sure your deck can support the weight of all people and objects on it. 

2. Don’t Place A Fire Pit On Your Hardwood Deck

While there are some fire pits that are suitable for hardwood decks, it is best to choose another element to enhance the new space. Even though hardwood has the same fire rating as concrete and steel, a fire pit is a fire hazard and is likely to be prohibited if you are burning real wood.

3. Do Not Place Potted Plants On The Hardwood Deck Without A Saucer 

The saucers collect excess water and prevent soil from spilling onto the deck when watering. This will help prevent stains, moss growth, and deck rot. You also want to prevent standing water from collecting under the potted plants, as this can damage your deck. 

Moving the pots from time to time and elevating them will allow for better air circulation. 

4. Do Not Improvise Your Hardwood Cleaning Routine. Do It Properly

Every time it rains, moisture gets trapped in the debris, slowly eroding your wood over time. Therefore, the key to keeping your deck in top condition is to follow a proper cleaning routine.

Hardwoods are naturally resistant to mold and mildew, but they are not immune, especially on the surface. The removal of moisture and organic dirt on a regular basis is the key to protecting it from fungus. 

If it is no longer enough to just clean the surface, a deeper cleaning is required. To do this, use a hardwood cleaning solution that combines one gallon of warm water with one quart of powdered oxygenated bleach. 

Avoid other products that may contain chemicals that could pollute the environment, kill surrounding plants, and damage the wood in the long term. 

This solution will be strong enough to remove mold and mildew. Before applying the product, clean the surface with a special brush, rinse it, and let it dry completely. Follow this step-by-step explanation for a proper clean. 

• Scrub And Wipe The Hardwood Decking: While applying the cleaning solution, use a brush to create a lather and loosen deeper dirt particles. Do not use a wire brush to clean stains because it will damage the deck boards and leave rough edges and splinters. Use a plastic bristle brush instead.
• Allow Hardwood Decking To Dry: Once the deck has been cleaned and pressure washed, allow at least 24 hours to pass before oiling the deck. Most hardwoods cannot withstand pressures exceeding 1200 psi.
• Apply Oil To Your Hardwood: If you want your hardwood to maintain its original color, you should apply an oil suitable for this material. Our  EasyOil, is highly recommended for the best types of hardwood such as Ipe, Cumaru, and Garapa.

Otherwise, if you do not apply oil to your deck, the wood structure will take on a silvery hue, known as patina, which gives it a stunning appearance as well.

Do you know how the oil acts on the wood? This product is formulated to penetrate the texture of the wood surface while protecting it from the inside. 

The high concentration of oil and wax makes the boards very resistant to water and dirt penetration while providing a long-lasting and easy to care surface. Make sure the product you select has UV protection, such as those offered by us. 

Besides EasyOil, we recommend other brands that also have good oil options that are available here at Brazilian Lumber, such as ProLux, DeckWise Ipe Oil, and Penofin.

Sand Hardwood Decking And Prevent Color Fading: If the color has faded, and you want to recover it, you can sand it first. This will improve the texture and make the wood assimilate the oil better to recover its natural color.

The Cove Eluthera

In short, if you want something to last, you must take proper care of it. So, never forget these recommendations of what not to do with your deck maintenance. Instead, follow our advice and you and your deck will be just fine.