Autumn might be good weather for ducks, as the saying goes - but it’s also good weather for decks - or deck DIY at least.
A decked-out, well-maintained deck and outdoor area is a major asset to any Kiwi homeowner - whether it’s for enjoying onsite or adding value when it comes time to rent or sell. And despite the shorter days and distinct likelihood of rain, you can still take on these often overlooked outdoor areas.
Even if your deck and paths are in good condition, washing them before the cold weather creeps in can help reduce the risk of nasty slips in winter.
Don’t freeze your plans
“Especially on warmer days, autumn and even winter are still good to tackle these areas,” says Resene Paint Expert Sam.
“But don’t forget to think about the minimum temperature (no less than 10 degrees) and dew point on the day of your project undertaking to ensure the coating isn't affected later in the day and overnight. The first 24 hours after a coating has been applied is critical for overall performance.”
Wash day
Where to start? Get cleaning! Sam says cleaning painted timber surfaces using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash is something that should be done annually, as it lengthens the time the coating will last before first maintenance. It will also keep the colour vibrant and free from chalking.
Giving your stained surfaces like decking or cladding a clean using Resene Timber and Deck Wash can slow the natural weathering as it will be clean from surface contamination which can speed it up.
And for those with growing pains, Resene Deep Clean is a simple and safe method for keeping outdoor areas free from moss, mould, algae and lichen.
“It’s ideal for use on paths, patios, decks and other exterior concrete, timber and painted surfaces,” says Sam.
“Simply spray or brush on and leave nature to do the rest, no scrubbing needed.” For large areas use the trigger application pack and attach it to your hose. This is great for driveways too.
An extra coat
You might literally need an additional layer of clothing when working outdoors this season, but talking coats of all things Resene, Sam says a good rule of maintenance is to give your stained surfaces a fresh coat every second year and show painted areas some extra love about once a decade.
“Have in mind that stained surfaces should be maintained every two years to ensure the coating and colour are providing protection. Painted surfaces should be maintained with coatings around 10 years. A home is a big investment, so it pays off to look after it the best we know how!”
And while most of us wash our cars then store them in garages, it pays to remember to clean your home regularly as it has to withstand the weather day in and day out. For most homes, an annual clean using Resene Paint Prep and Housewash is recommended. If you’re close to the sea or your home is shaded most of the day, it’s often best to clean twice a year.
Weekend warriors
Good news - there’s no need to give up your day job to up your home’s value via its great outdoors. Sam says you can get plenty done over even just a few autumn/winter weekends.
“It’s a great time to bring your outdoor furniture under shelter to clean them up, recoat them and get them ready for spring. A couple of products to consider using are Resene Woodsman Oil Stain for stained furniture or Resene Timber and Furniture Gel for a stained look that is non-drip to apply, especially handy if you are working on them in your garage.
“For older, uncoated timber furniture, clean first with Resene Moss & Mould Killer to kill all moss and mould, then apply one coat of Resene TimberLock prior to Resene Timber and Furniture Gel. It will condition the timber, solidifying and reinforcing the timber fibres and helps protect the timber from UV attack.
“If you have a painted front or back door, have a look to see if this is ready for maintenance. The correct preparation and topcoats using either Resene Super Gloss or Resene Enamacryl will give a superb finish.” It’s best to make sure your front door is well-protected from the weather before winter storms hit.
If you’re finishing off the last of your exterior DIY, such as painting your fence, and the weather is getting a little chillier, you can add Resene Wintergrade Additive to your paint to help it dry in cooler temperatures. Or if the weather is a little unpredictable and a pesky light shower might arrive, add Resene Umbrella Additive to your paint. This helps the outer layer of the paint to be resistant to the shower faster so your paint doesn’t just wash off.
“And if you’re finding a concrete pathway, pavers or steps a bit slippery in winter, you could paint them in Resene Non Skid Deck & Path for a non-slip surface - perfect for the south side that the moisture doesn’t dry away in the morning. Think taking the rubbish out on those cold mornings and not having to worry about slipping!”
If you’ve finished all the outdoor DIY, then autumn and winter are the ideal time to paint and wallpaper inside. Break your project into smaller parts so you can do a little prep each day and then do the main painting or wallpapering on the weekend. If you plan your DIY well, you can progress your decorating and still have most of the weekend free to do other things.
On the home front
When it comes to home DIY, you can rest assured the experts at Resene are practising what they preach.
”Oh yes, I’ve got a few things on the go!” says Sam.
“It never seems to end, but my focus currently is to finish staining a rough sawn battened timber fence that encloses our garden shed, using Resene Waterborne Woodsman in Resene Pitch Black CoolColour to tie with the boundary timber fence.
“I'll also try to wash our Kwila decks before winter to remove any surface contaminants using Resene Timber and Deck Wash. This helps to lower any dust and dirt tracking inside.
“Next summer, I’ll stain the decks using Resene Woodsman Oil Stain, but I wanted to allow the Kwila to naturally weather to open up the grain and allow the tannins to get rain washed away before coating as this will help the stain penetrate better. The decking has been laid for less than a year.
“Finally, I have an outdoor pine table that could do with a bit of love. It had a coating on it when it was purchased but it has naturally eroded over two years and is lightly flaking and fading. My plan is to bring it under the pergola for shelter, sand it to completely remove the existing coating, then apply two coats of Resene Woodsman Oil Stain in Resene Natural to tie in with our outdoor lounger with timber trim.”
Make the most of the cooler months to get your decorating to do list done. Ask Resene ColorShop staff for their help or use the free online Ask a Resene Paint Expert service, www.resene.com/paintexpert.
Article created in partnership with Resene.
