Wilmslow · Cheshire · SK9

Decking cleaning in Wilmslow

Decking cleaning in Wilmslow for timber and composite boards. Green algae makes decking lethal underfoot by autumn — we strip it back, clear the grooves and gaps, and hand the boards back safe, dry and ready to oil.

From Fulshaw Park to Styal, Wilmslow properties mix render, stone and very large driveways — usually all needing attention at once.

on quote

What decking cleaning involves

Decking cleaning lifts the algae, grime and greying film from timber or composite boards to restore grip and appearance, working with the grain and at a pressure the boards can take.

Timber is softer than most exterior surfaces. Too much pressure furs the grain and leaves permanent lance marks, so the method is chosen for the board, not the calendar.

Decking cleaning in Wilmslow, Cheshire

Timber is cleaned with the grain at a controlled pressure so the softwood is not furred up or gouged, and the gaps between boards are cleared so water drains instead of sitting. Composite decking is soft washed, never blasted, because high pressure permanently marks the cap layer. Fixings and joist tops are checked as we go — a Cheshire deck that has been damp for years often needs a board or two before it needs a clean, and we would rather flag it than cover it. We are fully insured, we work tidily around occupied homes, and every Wilmslow job is photographed before and after so you can see exactly what you paid for.

What's included

  • Pressure matched to timber or composite
  • Anti-slip algae treatment
  • Grooves and edges hand-detailed
  • Oiling and sealing available after drying
The same decking clean and even in colour after restoration
Decking boards marked with green algae growth before cleaning
BeforeAfter
Decking — algae lifted from the boards and grooves, and the grain brought back evenly.

The process

How decking cleaning runs in Wilmslow

  1. 01

    Assessment

    We identify the board type and condition, check fixings and joists where visible, and look for soft or rotten timber.

  2. 02

    Protection

    Planting, adjoining paving and painted surfaces are protected and loose items moved.

  3. 03

    Pre-treatment where needed

    Where algae is heavy, a suitable treatment is applied and left to work.

  4. 04

    Controlled cleaning

    Boards are cleaned along the grain at low pressure, with gaps and edges detailed by hand.

  5. 05

    Rinse and clean-up

    The deck and surrounding area are rinsed and cleared of debris.

  6. 06

    Inspection and aftercare

    We review the boards with you, report loose fixings or decay, and advise on drying before any oil or stain is applied.

Why homeowners in Wilmslow book it

  • Restores grip on boards that have become slippery
  • Brings back the tone of the timber or composite
  • Clears debris from board gaps so the deck drains and dries
  • Prepares the surface for oiling or staining if you choose to treat it

Surfaces and properties it suits

  • Softwood and hardwood decking
  • Composite decking
  • Timber steps, balustrades and garden structures
  • Roof terraces and balconies where access allows

How long it takes

Most domestic decks are a half-day. Oiling or staining is a separate visit, because the timber has to dry first.

  • The size of the area and how much of it can be reached with a rotary head rather than by hand
  • Access — gates, steps, levels, parking for the van and the distance to water and power
  • Condition: heavy moss, lichen or long-standing staining needs more passes or a longer dwell time
  • Dwell time where a pre-treatment is used, which cannot be rushed without losing effectiveness
  • Weather on the day, and how quickly the surface dries before any sealing or re-sanding

Important considerations before booking

  • Timber needs to dry fully before any oiling or sealing is worthwhile
  • The right method depends on the material, so the surface is assessed before any equipment is set up
  • Access, water and power availability affect both the method and the time on site
  • Weather affects treatments and drying, so some work is better scheduled than forced
  • Cleaning improves appearance and hygiene; it does not repair defects that are already there

What tends to happen if it is left

  • Algae film makes boards slippery, particularly through autumn and winter
  • Organic growth spreads and roots deeper, so a later clean takes longer and costs more
  • Surfaces stay wetter for longer, which tends to make them slippery underfoot
  • Small defects stay hidden under soiling instead of being spotted early

Free, no-obligation quote

Get a price for decking cleaning in Wilmslow

Tell us the surface, rough size and access. We normally respond within one working day with a price and the method we would use. Where a job needs a closer look, we say so rather than guess.

Your details are used only to prepare your quote — see our Privacy Policy.

What we look out for in Wilmslow

  • Multi-service visits planned and priced as one job
  • Render, roof and driveway completed in a single mobilisation
  • Protective sealing offered once surfaces are fully dry

Risks, existing damage and limitations

Cleaning does not create most of the problems it uncovers, but it does make them visible. These are the things we check for before we start.

Soft or rotten timber
Decayed boards can break up under cleaning; they need replacing.
Raised grain and furring
Timber that has weathered heavily may fur when cleaned and can need a light sand.
Loose or corroded fixings
Proud screws and rusted fixings are noted; they are a repair item.
Existing stain and oil finishes
Old coatings often clean off unevenly and may need stripping or recoating.
Composite surface staining
Some marks in composite boards are within the material and will not lift.

How we reduce the risk

  • A walk-round inspection before anything is switched on, so existing defects are noted and shown to you
  • Method, pressure and nozzle selected for the substrate rather than a single setting used everywhere
  • A small test area in a discreet spot where the surface is unusual, delicate or of unknown age
  • Adjacent surfaces, planting, air bricks, vents and paintwork protected or avoided as appropriate
  • Anything we find part-way through — a loose slab, a failed joint, a cracked tile — raised with you before we continue

What a good result looks like

A clean, non-slippery deck with the grain and colour of the boards visible again, ready for oiling or staining once fully dry if you want to go further.

What cleaning cannot put right

  • Rotten, split or cupped boards
  • Failing joists or substructure
  • Weathered silvering that has penetrated deep into the timber
  • Permanent staining within composite boards

Keeping the result

  • Let the timber dry thoroughly before applying any oil or stain
  • Keep board gaps clear so water drains rather than sitting on the surface
  • Clear leaf litter and standing debris through autumn — organic matter is what feeds regrowth
  • Book a lighter maintenance visit before growth re-establishes rather than waiting for it to look bad again

Why us

Why Refresh Revive?

Fully Insured

Public liability cover in place, with documentation supplied on request.

White Glove Standard™

The same documented standard of workmanship and finish on every single visit.

Surface-Specific Cleaning Methods

Soft washing, pure water or controlled pressure — matched to the material, never guessed.

Before & After Photography

Every job recorded so you can see exactly what changed, including work at height.

Professional Equipment & Safe Chemistry

Commercial-grade equipment and correctly dosed products, applied by trained operatives.

Honest Advice with No Pressure Selling

If a treatment isn't right for your property, we tell you — and explain why.

Questions

Decking cleaning in Wilmslow — common questions

Can you clean composite decking?

Yes, with a soft wash. Pressure washing composite damages the cap layer and leaves permanent stripes, so we never use it.

Can you oil or stain the decking afterwards?

We can quote for it as a follow-up visit once the timber has dried out fully — usually two to three dry days after the clean in Wilmslow.

Will cleaning make it less slippery?

Yes — the slipperiness is the algae film, and removing it is the single biggest safety improvement you can make to a deck.

Questions & answers

Everything people ask us

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Free, no-obligation quote

Get a price for decking cleaning in Wilmslow

Tell us the surface, rough size and access. We normally respond within one working day with a price and the method we would use. Where a job needs a closer look, we say so rather than guess.

Your details are used only to prepare your quote — see our Privacy Policy.

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