What happens if you dont oil your deck?

Decking oil is used to protect the wood from weathering and UV exposure. Leaving a wooden deck untreated will result in cracking, fading, splintering, and weathering as it is exposed to the elements. Just like with other home improvement projects, regular maintenance is required to keep your deck looking fresh.

What happens if you don't oil a deck?

What can Happen when Regular Deck Oiling isn't Performed? If regular oiling and maintenance is not performed on your deck, there can be some unpleasant consequences. In most circumstances, it's just a case of natural deterioration over time resulting in fading, warping and weakening of the timber.

Does decking need to be oiled?

It is essential to oil your deck every six to twelve months in order to protect and nourish your timber deck. A great way to know if your deck needs oiling straight away is by splashing some water over it. If the water absorbs quickly, it indicates that your deck needs to be oiled right away.

How long will a deck last if you don't stain it?

After 6 months, the wood will start to lose its color and will begin to fade. Ultimately it will fade to grey or silver.

Can you oil an old deck?

Oiling an older deck is a similar process to oiling a new one; however, it does require a little more preparation. If you're restoring an older deck that has been previously stained or painted, you may require a stain or paint remover.

The Garden Gurus - Oiling your deck

What time of year should you oil decking?

In general, Spring is the best time of the year to oil your decking. But it also depends on how long you've had your decking. Ideally, newly-laid or newly-treated decking should be left to weather naturally for about six months before you stain or oil it.

How do you restore a badly weathered deck?

Remove any damaged deck boards and cut off the rotted portion—all the way back to the centerline of the nearest joist. Use deck screws to reattach the good end, then cut a piece of like decking to fill the gap, and screw it to the joists. Check the handrails and balusters, then replace any damaged sections.

Can you leave your deck unstained?

The good news is that treated lumber is generally more than ready to hold up against wind, rain, sun, and snow for quite a while before wearing down, and many home owners do choose to leave the wood untreated for one reason or another.

Is it better to oil or stain a deck?

If the deck is Merbau, Teak or Jarrah for example, you will most likely want to use an oil to enhance the natural beauty of the timber. Alternatively, if your deck is Treated Pine, you may want to use a stain to change the colour and achieve a more rich, solid look.

Is it ever too late to seal a deck?

Is It Too Late to Restore Your Deck? If it's been much longer than the recommended three years since you last stained your deck, you might wonder if it's even worth getting back on track. Fortunately, unless your deck is in a total state of disrepair, it's virtually never too late to provide it with a fresh coating.

What lasts longer decking stain or oil?

Rather than decking oil, which generally, just fades over time, stain looks much worse as time goes on with the cracking and peeling.

Does it matter if it rains after oiling a deck?

Stains and oils penetrate wood best when it's cool and dry. If it rains within 48 hours of applying a treatment, the water will soak into the wood, and try and displace the stain. This can cause a blotchy, flaky look, rather than a smooth, even, coat.

Can you oil a dirty deck?

Unless your deck is thoroughly cleaned prior to oiling, the finishing solution will not have a chance to sufficiently adhere to the timber grain & protect it.

Why is my deck sticky after oiling?

If the decking oil you're applying has gone sticky and isn't being absorbed properly, your number one reason – assuming it's new decking – might be the type of wood the decking is made of. If it's a brand new deck, is it made from hardwood? If so, it might already be naturally oily.

Can you oil a deck after staining?

If you've used Deck & Exterior Stain on a wood such as merbau, you might be worried you've lost the look of the underlying grain. To rectify this, you can either strip the finish off completely and start again with an oil. Or, allow the stain to weather off naturally, safe in the knowledge your deck is well protected.

Is it OK to stain a deck every year?

Staining Existing Decks

As a general rule, your deck should be stained every 2-3 years. This can change, however, if you are in an area of high-humidity or especially volatile weather. The signs to look for when determining if you need deck staining are: The stain color of the wood is wearing off.

What is the best month to stain a deck?

Because you want to wait for days that aren't excessively hot or humid, the best times to apply deck stains are in the late spring and early fall, when the weather is moderately warm and dry.

How long does deck oil last?

Decking oils

Depending on whether you're using a water based or non water based oil, you'll probably need to apply it once every six to eighteen months.

Why do decks turn GREY?

Why does decking turn grey? This is a natural weathering process that turns the wood grey, which is mainly caused by sunlight. The ultra violet rays start to break down the cellulose that then causes chemical degradation in the wood.

What happens if you dont wash your deck before staining it?

But don't just slap a coat of stain on in a hurry — you'll need to clean your deck before staining it. If you stain a deck without cleaning and prepping it first, the results will look blotchy, uneven, and, well, amateur. Any time you save skipping the cleaning stage, you'll spend twice over repairing the botched job.

Is it OK to pressure wash a deck before staining?

Taking your time is key to power washing a deck successfully. Now that the wood has been cleaned and stripped of grime, you can sand it and apply your stain of choice. Power washing a deck before staining will allow the wood to absorb the stain better and deeper.

Can you save a rotting deck?

When it is caught early, it may be possible to repair the damage without having to replace your whole deck. Remove any rotted boards and replace them with new, pressure-treated ones. Apply a water-resistant coating over the entire deck, including the support pieces. Even out any spots that create water pooling.

Should you power wash an old deck?

Beware Pressure Washing Damage

Using a pressure washer may seem like a quick and easy way to clear out all the accumulated dirt and grime; however, you need to be aware of the damage it may cause. If you have timber deck boards, a power washer's pressure may cause splintering and damage to the timber fibres.

How do you make an old weathered deck look good?