We’ve reached a crucial turning point in the year again! That’s right, before long we’ll be welcoming back darker nights, cosy evenings and orange leaves. It’s a wonderful time of year, but as the weather starts to change, you might start thinking about the wellbeing of your garden features. Afterall, falling leaves, mud and ice can have an adverse effect on your outdoor space.
Luckily, if you have composite decking from DeckPlus installed, you won’t need to worry too much. Composite decking is designed to withstand the pressures of the great outdoors, and requires practically no maintenance. It’s incredibly resilient and had a wood-texture that provides ample grip, even in icy conditions.
That being said, there are a few things that you can do to keep your composite decking looking its absolute best this autumn.
Remove leaves and branches
Having lots of plants and shrubbery in your garden is one of life’s small pleasures (at least in summer). As we move into autumn, these plants and their leaves start to die back, often littering their discarded leaves all over your garden and decking. This may not seem like a huge problem, but you’ll find that the debris quickly builds up to an unmanageable level if it’s left alone.
We’d recommend grabbing a stiff brush and sweeping away any leaves or sticks that fall on your decking. This will help keep it looking fresh, even on those dark autumn evenings.
Give the boards a quick clean
Unlike wood boards that need to be sanded, stained and sealed every year, composite decking requires a tiny fraction of the maintenance. In fact, to keep your composite decking clean all you need to do is:
- Remove any furniture you have on there
- Use a brush to sweep away any loose dirt/debris
- Mix up a gentle cleaning solution of warm soapy water
- Apply the solution to the deck and use your brush to foam it up
- Rinse with a power washer
How to remove ice from your composite decking
If you find that a layer of ice forms over your composite decking this autumn, you can remove it easily using calcium chloride or rock salt. Simply sprinkle your chosen de-icer over the affected area and let it do its job. Any residue that’s left behind can be removed using a warm soapy solution.
While the cold temperatures may cause your composite decking to contract slightly, you shouldn’t expect to see any splitting or splintering as is common with wooden boards. The polymer coating on composite decking prevents the ice from penetrating into the board and protects them for years after installation.
So, there you have it, a quick and easy guide to help you care for your composite decking this autumn!
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