Protecting Timber and Keeping It Look Best
4 min read
| Timber is a rich and rewarding resource in and around the home. It gives you a solid connection to the natural world while offering a wealth of charm, character and aesthetic appeal. Whenever you use timber of any kind, it is essential to choose quality timber and maintain and protect it. This will mean you have the enriching benefits for today, tomorrow, and the many years to come. How do you make the most of your timber and protect it from the ravages of weather, changes in climate, and even mould and pests? The key is to think of wood as something like a living thing. It must be adequately cleaned, looked after and nurtured, then protected and maintained regularly if you want it to perform its best and last as long as possible. Getting that spark of inspiration It always pays to look after things, especially in the long run. Just as it is essential to service your car regularly, so should you maintain the timber of your home. If you have something stylish like dark or black flooring, then using a quality black timber stain will both protect and enhance the the character of this elegant choice of floorboards. Any wood you have throughout the home must be protected from moisture and heat. The changes in temperature, especially from cold Winter weather and the searing heat of Summer, can affect the timber of your home. This is particularly noticeable in outdoor timberwork such as pergolas and decking. Any timber exposed to the elements must be adequately protected, cleaned and maintained on a set schedule, or you risk minor problems becoming serious issues the longer they are left unattended. The importance of proper maintenance If you do not regularly clean your timber, you leave the wood susceptible to different problems. One of the most insidious issues with timber decking is the extent of mould that comes with moisture and humidity. Once mould spores grow, they can be tough to remove, and even cleaning will not necessarily ensure that the mould will not grow back. If your decking is suffering from a particularly stubborn mould, you may need to apply a special remover. This might entail making more than one or two applications before removing the decay. Protecting your decking with a suitable and specific deck sealant (with mould-inhibiting qualities) reduces the likelihood of the mould growing and the problem returning. You can ask for professional advice in order to find the best wood deck mould cleaner for your type of wooden decking. Keeping the beauty of timber going strong Timber is a natural resource that is also affected by the forces of Mother Nature. Rain, hail, UV exposure and even frosts can be detrimental to the life of the wood. When you choose a specific type of timber, remember to use the appropriate timber cleaning and maintenance product for that wood. In the case of external timber cladding and any timber screens, these must be correctly treated on a regular basis. In the ideal world, that means applying a timber treatment every year. You will often be able to judge when a maintenance application will need to be made for yourself, but there is usually a guide to how regularly you will need to apply a treatment from the supplier. Maintaining your timber will help you avoid the costly and time consuming efforts of replacing or reworking the wood due to lack of proper care. Working with safely If you are endeavouring to undergo a significant renovation in or outside of your home, then you need to be aware of how to perform properly those tasks and if professionals are required for specific tasks. When it comes to the delivery of heavy timber, there are specific guidelines for how to load and unload those supplies. If the project is complicated by access issues or the work requires a crane, hoist or winch, then there are set standards to be followed. This applies to elevated work platforms as well. The standards which relate to the minimum requirements for the safe use of cranes, hoists and winches also specify the conditions. This is known as the AS2550.1 as set by Standards Australia. The standard for the safe use of mobile elevating work platforms is covered in AS2550.10. While there are strict regulations as to the use of cranes, hoists and winches, and mobile elevating work platforms; there is also a standard to follow for the safe use of a ladder. Your ladder needs to be made to comply with Australian Standards (AS/NZS 1892) and have a displayed load rating of at least 120 kg. Rubber feet or similar non-slip material must be fitted to metal ladders and It would help if you always inspected your ladder to ensure it is in good condition before you use it. This is particularly important when you are working with timber beams and longer lengths of wood. Timber can be a sturdy but easily damaged material, so it is vital that you have the proper care for how to install and work the timber, as well as how to best maintain it. The main points to remember are: Only always buy quality timber from a trusted supplier Work safely with wood, Protect your timber before using it. Clean and maintain the wood regularly By following these basic steps when it comes to the timber in and around your place, you will have a valuable and beautiful showpiece that lasts.With a bit of forethought and the occasional inspection of your timberwork, you can identify any issues before they become significant problems. Timber can be an asset that lasts a lifetime. It doesn’t take much to protect your timber and keep it looking its natural best for many years that follow. |
