Wooden flooring is aesthetically pleasing and elegant. Many homes in Brisbane have decades-old hardwood flooring in good condition. Regular maintenance keeps the timber floorboards intact for a long time. Apart from maintenance, the longevity of hardwood floors depends upon the type of wood used.
A common recurring problem in Brisbane homes is wooden deck problems. Even if decks are used casually, deck floor maintenance is a regular job.
Below are 5 common deck problems faced by homeowners and their solutions:
- Greying/Fading Of Deck Timber:
When decks are installed, a protective coating (varnish, paint, or oil) is applied on the floor. This coating retains structural integrity and protects from weather and sunlight damage.
The deck floor coating peels off after two or three years due to weather changes. Sunlight exposure leads to the fading and greying of floorboards. The reason behind color fading is that the ultraviolet rays cause accelerated oxidation in wood grains- resulting in the color shift of the deck floor.
Improper cleaning of the deck floor also causes fading of the wood. The cleaning material may contain chemicals incompatible with the wood.
Solution:
Regular cleaning with annual sanding and polishing keeps the shine of the deck floor. Staining the affected planks with color matching with the rest of the deck floor is the only solution to regain the glory of the faded board.
- Mold Growth And Pest Infestation on floorboards
Moisture and humidity are the key factors in promoting fungal growth. This also leads to termites and bugs infestation in the wood. The green patches you observe in different areas of the deck are due to mold growth.
Solution:
Recovery from mold growth and pest infestation depends upon the extent of damage to the decking. Taking measures to avoid future damage is recommended. The floor can be recovered by hiring a professional for pest control. Avoiding water puddling on the deck floor is another approach to prevent infestation.
- Sunlight Damage/Warping And Splitting Of Deck Boards
In high humidity, wood grains absorb moisture, leading to cupping and buckling of the floorboard. Excessive sunlight exposure removes moisture from wood grains, causing cracks and splitting the planks. This results in cracky noise formation when you walk on the floor. Apart from being unpleasant, the cracks and splints can be dangerous if you walk barefoot on the deck floor.
Solution:
Damage to the deck can be avoided by:
- Use of retractable shades over the decks. Cover the deck with the shades during rainy and sunny days to protect the deck.
- Regular cleaning with deck cleaners.
- Ensure that the top protective coating remains intact. Floor sanding and polishing on an annual basis avoids deck floor damage.
- Rusting And Protruding Nails
Temperature and pressure variation on the planks causes nails and screws to protrude out of the floorboards. They may result in accidents, trips, and falls. This phenomenon is most likely to occur in high-traffic and humid areas. Decks and door stairs are the main points where protrusion of the nails occurs. Unfixed nails rust with time and also damage the plank.
Solution:
Nails and bolts should be fixed at once. A professional service provider for sanding and polishing saves hustle and waste of money. Do not try to fix the protruding nails and screws on your own. The extent of the problem can only be assessed by a professional service provider. As the nails hold the floorboards together, there might be an underlying cause of nail protrusion.
Every type of hardwood floor requires periodic sanding and polishing. Put your worries aside, Budget Floor Sanding has your back for all deck floor-related issues.
Budget Floor Sanding is always at your service to give the best advice and a free quote. Our expert team is available 24/7.
Call us now for any queries at 0418 882 678
