Dents in decking

Ben333 · Post by **Ben333** » Wed Jun 24, 2020 10:50 pm

I had some outside decking installed last month. 2 coats of Cuprinol were used.
However over the past few days and weeks, I’ve noticed an increasing amount of dents in the wood, plus a few chips. (See enclosed photos).
I’d be keen to understand why this has happened and what can be done to resolve it.
Much appreciated.

Chippo1 · Post by **Chippo1** » Thu Jun 25, 2020 6:52 am

If you place items on the deck , being a softwood it will dent. What is the timber ? Even dense Baltic larch is relatively soft.

I can’t see anyway of preventing it other than using “furniture leg cups” where you can , and don’t let ladies wear stilettos.

Hard teak decks on boats suffer from this and boat owners who care insist on bare feet or deck shoes!

This was one of the reasons I went for composite decking although to be honest that has issues as well.

ayjay · Post by **ayjay** » Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:15 am

The first pic shows some impact damage (or possibly angle grinder damage) post laying, (it's on adjacent boards) likewise the second pic is almost certainly post laying but a different cause, the third pic looks like a knot to me.The last two pics (look like the same thing) I can make out a couple of paler areas which look as though the grain has broken away close to a knot (or something similar)on machining.

Ben333 · Post by **Ben333** » Thu Jun 25, 2020 11:14 am

Hi chippo1 and Ajjay.
Thanks so much for your prompt replies. Really appreciated.
Can I ask...
1. Would you specifically say it needs to be furniture leg cups, or any general furniture pads?
2. Would a 3rd coat of Cuprinol make a difference to my problem?
3. Can you think of any other course of action that will help resolve and protect it?
4. Likewise with the dents, any other advice to protect the wood from the other problem in picture 2?
Much appreciated.

ayjay · Post by **ayjay** » Thu Jun 25, 2020 11:35 am

Ben333 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2020 11:14 am
4. ..................any other advice to protect the wood from the other problem in picture 2?

Ban Stiletto heels - don't slip with the screwdriver (it's on the line of the screws) - don't drop your hammer - it could be just about anything that's caused that.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Thu Jun 25, 2020 12:48 pm

Regarding furniture leg cups, I would suggest they sound a good idea (as any cup would) but are in fact detrimental to the furniture. The reason being that when it rains the cups are going to fill with water and so the furniture leg will rot.

I would suggest rubber be glued to the feet of the legs, or if they are timber legs "nail in" feet, such as

: nail.jpg (19.12 KiB) Viewed 934 times

But at a suitable size.

Since the timber is now dented, the only real cure is to replace the timber, but that is not practical.

To prevent further dents
1) Make anyone who goes on the deck wear flat soled shoes,
2) When anyone works on or near the decking, cover it with a protective layer (hardboard?)
3) Don't let anyone consume food whilst on the decking, as any crumbs dropped will go through the gaps and will encourage vermin.
4) Anyone going on the decking should leave any heavy items else where, in case they drop and dent the decking
5) No eating implements on the decking. See 4 above.
6) Treat your decking annually (Oil or preservative)
7) Only let people admire your decking from afar