Short answer
A teak deck does best with gentle care. Rinse often with water. Wash with a mild teak cleaner and a soft brush across the grain. Avoid pressure washing, acids and bleach. Teak left to weather grey naturally resists rot. Seams that have come loose or cracked should be cut out and recaulked, otherwise water gets in under the deck.
Wash it the right way
- Rinse the deck with water to loosen sand and dirt.
- Work in small areas. Apply teak cleaner.
- Scrub with a soft nylon brush, always along the planks. Scrubbing across raises the grain and the deck turns rough.
- Rinse straight away. Don't let the cleaner dry in.
- Deal with stains like oil or wine at once. Otherwise they soak into the wood.
Teakdecking Systems recommends a full wash every 2 to 4 weeks during the season, or when the deck looks dirty.
What to avoid
| Avoid | Why |
|---|---|
| Two-part acid cleaners | Eat away the soft part of the grain, leaving the deck ridged |
| Pressure washing above 800 psi (about 55 bar) | Tears up the wood and weakens the caulking. If you do, use a wide nozzle. |
| Bleach and ordinary household cleaners | Break down wood fibres and caulking |
| Wire brush or hard brush | Scratches the wood and fittings |
| Varnish or anything that forms a film | Traps moisture, flakes where you walk and makes the deck slippery |
Oil or leave it?
You can choose between two approaches:
- Let the deck go grey. Least work. Teak left alone turns grey and resists rot. You just wash it.
- Keep the brown colour. Use a penetrating teak protector, not varnish. It needs reapplying, and the deck may become more slippery and attract dirt.
Don't oil in the autumn. Find out why in damp and mould in the boat.
Repair seams that have come apart
The seam is the black caulking between the planks. If it comes loose or cracks, water gets under the teak.
- Cut out the old caulking with a reefing hook or a multi-tool with a cutting blade. Don't damage the plank edges.
- The caulking should only bond to the sides of the planks, not the bottom. Put bond-breaker tape in the bottom of the groove.
- Clean and dry. Wood must be primed; for Sikaflex-290 DC PRO, Sika states that primer is mandatory.
- Mask the planks and fill the groove slightly proud of the edge with seam compound.
- Let it cure, then sand it flush.
Sikaflex-290 DC PRO can be used between 5 and 35 °C, ideally at 15 to 25 °C. It skins over after about 90 minutes at 23 °C.
DIY or boatyard
Washing and the odd seam you can handle yourself. If the planks are so worn that the plugs over the screws show or come loose, or it leaks in many places, the deck needs looking at by a boatyard. A new teak deck is a big job. Request a quote via Marinpedia or search under Marinas & boatyards.
Safety and environment
Sealant and primer can irritate skin and airways. Wear gloves, ventilate and read the safety data sheet. Collect sanding dust and cleaner residue. Do not rinse them into the water at the dock.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wash the teak deck with soft soap?
A mild wash is fine. What matters is a soft brush, scrubbing across the grain and rinsing straight away. Avoid bleach and acids.
Does the teak deck need oiling?
No. Teak left to go grey resists rot. Oil or teak protector is only needed if you want to keep the brown colour.
Why does the deck get ridged?
The soft part of the grain is worn away by acids, pressure washing and scrubbing across the grain. The hard part remains.
Can I pressure wash it?
Preferably not. Teakdecking Systems specifies a maximum of 800 psi, about 55 bar, with a wide nozzle, and prefers a soft brush.
Sources
- 10 Common Teak Deck Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid, Teakdecking Systems teakdecking.com
- Teak Deck Maintenance Guide, Teakdecking Systems teakdecking.com
- Sikaflex-290 DC PRO, produktdatablad, Sika industry.sika.com