Melbourne's climate gives decks a hard year: brutal summer UV, damp winters, and temperature swings that open and close board gaps. A simple seasonal routine keeps a timber deck looking new for decades — and takes a fraction of the weekend most people fear.
Summer (Dec–Feb): protect against UV
- UV is the main enemy. Unprotected timber silvers off — the change starts within weeks of strong sun.
- Keep the deck clean: sweep leaves (they hold moisture against boards and stain) and rinse off dust and pollen.
- Shade-cloth plants like pittosporum dropping litter? Sweep more often under them — that's where tannin and mould stains start in inner-west gardens.
- Check nothing is pooling under pot plants; use pot feet or saucers — a pot sitting damp on timber for a summer is a ring-shaped scar waiting to happen.
Autumn (Mar–May): the oiling window
Autumn is Melbourne's best season to oil: warm, dry, and stable. The routine:
- Clean first — a timber cleaner or mild detergent wash and a rinse, then let the deck dry fully (a day or two of fine weather).
- Oil with the grain using a pad or lambswool applicator — two thin coats beat one thick one every time.
- Most Melbourne hardwood decks need re-oiling every 12–18 months. The splash test never lies: pour a little water on the boards — if it soaks in and darkens the timber rather than beading, it's time.
Winter (Jun–Aug): fight the mould
- Damp, shaded decks in Maribyrnong, West Footscray and Yarraville can grow surface mould — black or green film on boards, worst where airflow is poor.
- Treat with a dedicated mould and mildew cleaner, then rinse. Don't reach for straight bleach at strength; it can raise grain and grey the timber.
- Clear debris from between boards so gaps drain — blocked gaps are the number one cause of cupping.
- Don't oil over winter; coatings need dry, warm days to cure properly.
Spring (Sep–Nov): the annual inspection
Once the weather turns, give the deck 20 minutes with a coffee:
- Boards: look for cupping, splitting, or soft spots (probe with a screwdriver gently).
- Fasteners: popped or corroded screws, loose fixings at high-traffic boards.
- Structure: check posts and bearers, especially where they meet the ground; look under the deck if you can.
- Flashings and joins against the house — early leak detection is a five-minute check that saves a wall.
Anything you'd rather not handle — board replacements, a professional sand and re-oil, structural repairs — is exactly what our restoration service is for, from $153/m².
Composite decks: the easy version
Composite needs none of the oiling. Twice a year, sweep and wash with warm soapy water, spot-treat any mould with the manufacturer's cleaner, and check gaps are clear. That's the whole job — one of the reasons we cover the trade-offs in our composite vs timber guide, and why species choice (and its care profile) matters when choosing Merbau vs Spotted Gum.
Over 10 years of decking experience, one pattern repeats: decks that get cleaned twice a year and oiled on schedule outlast and out-sell everything else on the street. Book a free measure and we'll set your deck up so maintenance stays that simple.