If you have decking in your garden, one issue you will have to face will be weed management and prevention. But how do you control weeds and deal with an outbreak if it happens?
1. Always aim for prevention
The best course of action is to stop weeds from growing in the first place. And if you chose to install your decking composite on soil, this will prove a constant problem if not dealt with directly.
This can be done by treating the ground with a strong weedkiller and applying a plastic weed barrier to prevent any plants growing through. You can then layer landscaping stone on top to prevent weeds breaking through. However, some weeds prove to be extremely resilient, with strains such as horsetail able to break through concrete. If this is a risk, soil steriliser can be used but you should be extremely careful with this and account for any potential runoff or overspray.
This is something your garden decking installers will brief you on after adding your decking composite and it is strongly advised to follow their guidance to prevent problems arising in future. Top tips on how to maintain your decking are available here .
2. Choose a method that works
If weeds prove to be a problem, it’s important to settle on a treatment method that is appropriate to the plant. Certain types of weeds such as bracken fern spread by sporification, and manually pulling them up can transfer the spores to your hands and across the garden. Others such as dandelions or rosebay willowherb leave remnants behind that can continue to grow. Make sure you settle on a removal method that deals with the problem the weed represents.
3. Apply your solution sensibly to your decking composite
If you choose to apply weedkiller directly, you then have the choice of whether to temporarily remove the decking to access the weeds. Depending on the chosen product, this can run the risk of damaging the decking composite. Returning the deck to its original state can also potentially damage the boards if they are not taken off and reapplied correctly.
If your outbreak is small and you’d rather not run the risk of damaging the finish on your deck, you can apply the weed-killer through the boards. However, this should be tested on a concealed area of the decking beforehand to ensure that it does not ruin or stain the material. There are also several tools available to help you maintain your outdoor decking timber from weed brushes, weed wire and decking scrub that prevents the rise of weeds and mosses.
If you have any questions about how best to maintain or repair your decking, get in touch with us directly at London Decking Company .
