Installation and maintenance instructions

Maintaining a bamboo deck is not as complicated, as many assume. It only requires the work to be done right from the start. In that way, the durability of the decking is considerably prolonged and no do-overs are required.

The surface of bamboo decking gets weather beaten over time. The surface turns grey and cracks, and eventually, it becomes slippery and unprotected from dirt and green growth. Especially green growth can hold moisture, which is damaging to the bamboo in the long run as the risk of fungus and decay increases. Therefore, proper treatment and maintenance is required yearly in order to keep the bamboo deck beautiful and long lasting.

However, maintaining a bamboo deck is not just a matter of applying some decking oil to the surface. That would be equivalent to building a house directly on the lawn. The key to a beautiful and durable result is to clean the bamboo deck thoroughly before applying any kind of oil. If cleaning is not done, the oil will not be able to penetrate deeply into the decking, but instead create a new layer of oil on top of the dirt and former hardened oil. This will cause the newly applied oil to peel off, it is almost inevitable and the bamboo deck will need to be surface-treated once again.

Clean your bamboo deck thoroughly and avoid do-overs

Never use chlorine, algae remover etc. for the actual cleaning of the bamboo deck. These methods can cause more damage than good.

Ø  Soak the deck with plenty of water. If possible use a garden hose;

Ø  Scrub the soaked deck along the bamboo grain till the deck appears clean. Repeat the cleaning if necessary;

Ø  By extreme dirt, WOCA Exterior Cleaner is recommended to use. Mix Exterior Cleaner with water in the ratio 1:2 and apply it with a nylon brush or spray. By extreme dirt, the Exterior Cleaner may be used undiluted;

Immediately after cleaning, hose down the surface with water;

Ø  Leave the deck to dry for approx. 24-48 hour, subject to weather condition. The deck must be completely dry as a moist surface will prevent the oil from penetrating into the deck, and to remove fibre rising with sandpaper before an oil treatment;

Ø  After cleaning, we recommend protecting with oil or paint depending on the actual finish.

Your bamboo deck will benefit from a high-quality oil

As soon as the bamboo deck is clean and completely dry, the WOCA Exterior Oil can be applied. Make the application in dry weather only and ideally avoid direct sunlight.

WOCA Exterior Oil, which is recommended for the actual oiling, is oil with two unique properties: it contains a UV-filter to protect against bleaching and discoloration from the sun, and the special consistency makes it very easy to work with. Besides this, WOCA Exterior Oil provides the bamboo deck with a very hard-wearing and water-repellent surface, which in this way prevents mildew.

Ø  Stir the oil thoroughly before use;

Ø  Apply an even and thin coat of oil with the applicator or a brush. Begin with the butt ends of the deck. The wet oil may have a white shade. When the water has evaporated after a few minutes, the deck will appear oiled;

Ø  Wipe off any excess oil with clean cotton cloths after no more than 5 minutes. Take particular care in removing excess oil from joints and grooves;

Ø  Repeat step 2 and 3 if the surface does not appear saturated with oil;

Ø  When the deck is dry, it may be polished with a polishing pad or polishing machine to ensure an extra hardwearing surface;

Ø  Depending on weather conditions and outdoor temperature it takes 24 to 48 hours for the oil to harden thoroughly. The deck must not be exposed to water during this period;

Ø  Repeat the oil treatment as required.

Reference:

How to clean, oil and maintain deck by WOCA: 

http://www.wocadenmark.com/guide/how-to-clean-oil-and-maintain-a-wooden-deck

WOCA Exterior Cleaner

WOCA Exterior Oil