Timber, Decking & Cladding Revitalisation
Recovering the warmth, safety, and longevity of your timber.
The Importance of Wood Care
Whether your garden features a pressure-treated softwood deck, cedar cladding, or hardwood fencing (such as Oak or Ipe), timber is a living, cellular material. While wood is chosen for its organic warmth and character, its porous structure makes it uniquely vulnerable to the environment.
Regular maintenance is crucial for all exterior timber,horizontal or vertical,to prevent the build-up of grime and biological growth that leads to rot and decay.
Understanding the Damage
Timber that is not maintained will inevitably suffer from moisture retention and biological attack.
The "Sponge" Effect: The porous nature of timber allows it to absorb rain and humidity. When dirt, pollen, and organic debris settle into the grain, they trap moisture against the wood fibres.
Biological Growth: This damp environment encourages the growth of algae, mould, and mildew. On fences and cladding, this often manifests as unsightly green or black staining; on decking, it creates a "bio-film".
Safety Hazards: On walkable surfaces, this biological growth creates a slick film that, when wet, turns the area into a significant slip hazard.
Our Approach: Prepare, Treat and Protect
We strictly follow a "Low Pressure" protocol for all timber structures. A common error in maintenance is the use of high-pressure water, which can "fur" the wood surface and damage the fibres. Our process is gentle, thorough, and compliant with professional restoration standards.
Assessment & Health Check: Before cleaning, we conduct a visual inspection to check the stability of the structure. We check for loose boards or slats and use a probe to check for "soft" wood or rot to ensure the timber is sound enough for restoration.
Chemical Cleaning (80-100 PSI): We limit our water pressure to between 80 and 100 PSI, roughly the strength of a garden hose. We apply a professional cleaner and allow it to penetrate the surface. We then rinse the timber logically (board-by-board) to avoid stop-start marks.
Mechanical Sanding: Once the timber is dry we sand the surface. This crucial step removes any existing furring or splinters and opens the grain of the wood.
Protection: Finally, we apply a high-grade protective treatment . Because the grain has been opened by sanding, the wood absorbs the treatment evenly, creating a long-lasting, beautiful finish that protects against the elements.
Key Standards
Structure Stability: We assess the timber for stability and rot before starting, ensuring we only work on structures that can withstand the process.
Pressure Control: Strict adherence to a low-pressure limit (80-100 PSI) to prevent structural damage to the wood fibres on decks, fences, and walls.
Grain Preparation: We use ceramic discs to sand the timber, ensuring a smooth finish that is free from splinters and ready to accept oil or stain.
Moisture Management: We ensure the wood has reached the correct moisture content before applying any finish to ensure proper adhesion.