Thread: Verandah decking problem

High pressure water jet cleaner, the type with a petrol motor, hire from your local hire company, use the oscillating jet but don't hold it too close and keep it moving or you will bore a hole through the timber then wash scrub down with a quality deck cleaner, some hire places sell it as well, allow to dry properly before re finishing with preferred sealer

After a good clean and prep
I would be inclined to be using an oil based penetrating style stain product rather than a surface style coating so at least if it doesn’t take as well to the previously coated areas you won’t have blistering or delamination which would be a better outcome

Although some may argue, if the ribs are facing up then it has been wrongly installed as the the ribs should be facing down. When the ribs face up they collect dirt, moisture and promote mould. They are also a slip hazard as there is less contact with the sole of the shoe. My understanding is that ribs down allow some air flow at the contact point with the joist.

So I’d go with option 1.

Apple is right-it’s upside down if the ridges are on top...

How large an area, and is it screwed or nailed? If not too large and screwed, the gold-plated solution would be to lift it all, sand/replace where necessary and reinstall... I always use stainless screws for this reason. Not a great deal of help if it’s all nailed down, I’m afraid.

nailed down about 15 years ago, but know one knows or admits they know.

2.2M wide x 18M long

Ill give the high pressure cleaner a go, there is one laying around and if not a mate has one for his truck fleet.

It would look better with oil based stuff.

You have all offered valued help thankyou.

no argument from me I used to machine this stuff and the fluting definitely goes on the bearers as stated not on top as an anti slip.

With regard to the reeding aspect. Whilst technically it may not be correct to lay it face up it isn’t really a problem if that is your preferred look.
Only a small percentage of decking has reeding, most is supplied DAR

You’re sort of right Beardy, structurally- but the OPs query shows where you’re sort of wrong... that reeded side is a bugger to repair cosmetic damage on... almost impossible to sand or clean beyond blasting with a pressure washer or serious caustic chemicals, which brings other issues...
interestingly, in line with your last sentence, Bunnings are sourcing a lot of their decking without the reeding now; they had notes warning buyers not to worry a few months ago. Presumably the costs have been assessed as outweighing the advantages.

Originally Posted by jpdv

You’re sort of right Beardy, structurally- but the OPs query shows where you’re sort of wrong... that reeded side is a bugger to repair cosmetic damage on... almost impossible to sand or clean beyond blasting with a pressure washer or serious caustic chemicals, which brings other issues...
interestingly, in line with your last sentence, Bunnings are sourcing a lot of their decking without the reeding now; they had notes warning buyers not to worry a few months ago. Presumably the costs have been assessed as outweighing the advantages.

Just because it is harder to repair damage it doesn’t make it wrong or need to be pulled down like has been suggested. If the deck received correct regular maintenance it would provide the same level of service and durability during its life as if it didn’t have reeds. If you are needing to sand the deck you haven’t looked after it properly in most instances

For the record I have never laid a deck with the reeded side up. I am just making the point that it isn’t the catastrophe that has been suggested and you would be doing the client a disservice to suggest so if it is structurally sound and you can still treat it cosmetically

Woah there matey- I never said it was a ‘catastrophe’. What I did say-and stand by- is reed up boards create exactly the problem the OP is now facing/helping with: how to achieve an aesthetically pleasing refresh when the reed up boards have collected a few years of gunk in the grooves.

And comments like ‘if you need to sand it you haven’t looked after it properly’ are reasonably judgemental: maybe he’s helping with a recent purchase, or just dealing with a deck where the owners have had other issues that are more pressing.

But don’t take my word for it: here’s a trade website’s advice, illustrating the exact point-it’s not helpful, and shortens expected lifespan.

In fact, many board manufacturers' warranties are voided if the boards have been installed with the groove side facing upwards, as this can seriously jeopardise the longevity of the boards. If your installer has put them in incorrectly, then you have grounds to ask them to redo the job the right way (unless this is what you asked them to do, of course).

Originally Posted by apple8

... Although some may argue, if the ribs are facing up then it has been wrongly installed as the the ribs should be facing down. ..

Originally Posted by jpdy

... Apple is right-it’s upside down if the ridges are on top. ..

Totally wrong. SWMBO says reeds on top because that's what she wants, and I follow orders - AKA the Nuremberg excuse!

Originally Posted by rwbuild

High pressure water jet cleaner, the type with a petrol motor, hire from your local hire company, use the oscillating jet but don't hold it too close and keep it moving or you will bore a hole through the timber then wash scrub down with a quality deck cleaner, some hire places sell it as well, allow to dry properly before re finishing with preferred sealer

I did this some 10 years ago with a Karcher electric high pressure washer. Treated pine, then air dried for 15 years, is very, very soft and, whilst I did not quite drill any holes, the pine went "hairy". Essentially impossible to sand the reeding so I left it. The "hairiness" dropped off after 6-9 months. I also took the galavanising off some of the nails and that accelerated their rusting. SWMBO never really accepted the "hairiness" as a design feature.

Decking is now 25 years aold and the pine has gone brittle; needs re-decking, joists, etc seem OK.

I do, of course, acknowledge your SWMBO point Graeme...

my old memory kicked into gear EARLY this morning I seem to remember this which side is your toast buttered conversation many years ago.

I remember when the reeded profile first came out and no doubt the initial intent was for the reeded side to go down but it was widely marketed as reversible side decking and I would say probably more was laid reeded side up than down perhaps because it was a new or different look to having a plain face.
It was standard practice for the carpenter to ask the client which way did you want it laid. So whilst it is not technically correct to be laid that way it was a common practice and I wouldn’t suggest to a client to pull it up and replace it because it is wrong unless it was in poor condition or they were not happy with the appearance

A reeded treated pine deck painted with Pascol Mission Brown or Leaf Green was a very popular choice in the day. All hand nailed with 2 inch galv jolt head nails