Maintaining Timber Cladding
An overview of how to maintain external timber cladding.
Best Practice
Timber cladding should not require huge amounts of ongoing maintenance through its lifespan. To help keep this to a minimum it is recommended to carry out ongoing and preventative maintenance rather than allowing boards to fail. This ongoing approach will ensure the best performance for the timber cladding, proving a much more cost effective and time efficient method to timber maintenance.
Periodic Inspections
Depending on exposure and the product, the frequency of timber inspections will vary. As a minimum, carry out annual inspections of the timber cladding. You’re looking for any small areas of damage to replace this board at the time of the inspection. This will minimise water ingress into the face, which could lead to more boards failing. Split boards are a great example of why it’s important to replaced damaged boards as and when you find them.
If the timber cladding is a coated product, this is likely to require a little more thorough inspection to check the coating is performing as intended. Uncoated timbers are typically left to weather down to a silver grey and therefore, only really require checking for physical damage to the façade.
Biological Staining/ Mould/ Algae growth
Timber used externally can often be susceptible to mould growth. Most occurrences of mould growth will see the mould living on the surface of the timber, feeding on sap and other extractives that are released from the timber. Seeing mould on the surface of your timber should not cause alarm in regard to how the product is performing, this does not relate to decay of the timber.
Mould will grow in damp and warm conditions. Over time, mould spores will be come visible on the surface of the timber and can be unsightly. It is therefore important to clear and kill off mould spores as early as possible once identified.
For longer term, or re-occurring mould issues, a preventative mouldicide can be applied, provided the product is applied to dry timber and allowed to dry.
Cleaning Timber Cladding
Wash down timber cladding or decking annually to remove any algae or debris. Caution should be taken with high pressure cleaning systems as the surface of your timber can become damaged. Mild cleaning solutions, diluted with water, are ideal for general cleaning of the timber along with a stiff brush to agitate the dirt.
If mould growth is persistent and heavy, then a stronger cleaning solution may be required. Off the shelf mould cleaning products or an oxalic acid cleaner may be required. Always be careful with cleaning solutions – test on an inconspicuous area of timber first to ensure there are no reactions.
Painted Timber Cladding maintenance
Each paint manufacture will have a different maintenance and cleaning regime. Please either get in touch with us, or with the coating manufacture directly, to understand the best way to look after and maintain your painted timber cladding.