With Mike Sabey
How to restore a timber deck covered in green algae
As spring arrives with more welcome rays of lifegiving sunshine, it’s impossible not to notice one of the household ravages typical of the Prom Coast at the end of another wet, cold, dark winter – slimy, green algae covering outdoor timbers.
When timber decks, steps, walkways and verandas get covered in green algae they not only look dreadful, but pose a serious safety risk, causing slippages and falls, as well as causing lasting moisture and rot damage to the wooden boards and sub frames.
Green algae is notorious for its ability to regrow and spread if the damp conditions prevail and its presence is a sign of neglect and bad maintenance. Algae thrives in darker, damp conditions and shady spots, but it doesn’t grow overnight: it gets a foothold then spreads quietly over time until its green hue becomes obvious or someone slips on it.
How to remove green algae and restore decking timbers
Firstly, gather your tools. You will need a bucket, stiff bristle broom or large scrubbing brush, yard broom, vinegar or bleach, deck cleaning agent, face mask, paint roller on a pole and a tray, wiping up rag, and green masking tape for preventing oil marks on adjacent timber walls, doors, steps etc.
The take the following steps:
- Remove all furniture and pots etc from the deck
- Sweep all the dirt and debris off the deck/veranda and timber steps with a yard broom
- In a bucket, mix up 6 parts warm water and 1 part vinegar (or 1 to 8 if using bleach) to kill the green algae infestation
- Put on a face mask as green algae fumes can cause respiratory issues or infections and trigger asthma
- Using either a stiff broom or scrubbing brush scrub down all the affected timber area, leave for 30 minutes then hose off or pressure clean off. Allow to dry. The green algae should be gone.
- The next dry day use a deck clean mix such as Cabots Deck Clean and scrub the deck down vigorously again to clean the timber to ready it for reoiling
- Leave for 30 minutes then hose off or pressure clean off. Allow to dry
- On the next dry day, use a 120mm wide brush and roller on a pole to apply either a good quality clear decking oil (or tinted oil if preferred) to the boards
- Cut-in around the edges and board ends first then roll on the oil to the board faces, making sure no spots are missed as you move down the deck
- After the deck has been oiled ideally you should avoid stepping on it for 2-4 days to allow it to dry properly
Finally make yourself a cup of tea, then stand back and admire the end of your job (or call in a decking expert to get it done for you).
Mike Sabey has broad building experience in carpentry, deck renovations, minor electrical and plumbing repairs, painting and general building upkeep. He operates Mike’s Maintenance and can be contacted on 0418 354 732
