How to clean ipe wood decking?
After vacuuming, take your garden hose and rinse the deck. If you need to remove pollen or algae from your Ipe lumber, use a mild cleaning solution to make your decks spotless. You can also prepare a household cleaning solution, which will remove these elements without damaging your patio.
Is IPE deck maintenance necessary?
If you live in the San Diego, Orange County, or Los Angeles area, the chances are that your deck is made from Ipe – a type of wood that is popular in California. While it is an extremely durable and dense wood, Ipe deck maintenance is critical to ensure its longevity.
How often should I oil my IPE deck?
If you are oiling your Ipe deck to maintain its color and protect it from UV fading, we recommend that you oil your deck annually. However, if you live somewhere where the wood is exposed to a lot of direct sunlight, you might want to do this more often.
Should I seal my IPE deck before bleaching it?
If you’re letting your Ipe fade to silver, you’ll only need to seal the deck upon installation. And no need to worry, the bleaching process does not affect the structural integrity of the boards. However, to keep the original coloring, you’ll have to re-apply sealer annually.
Can you pressure wash Ipe wood deck?
At The Decking Superstore, we recommend you DO NOT use a pressure washer to clean your ipe deck or to clear debris as it can damage the wood fibers and roughen the surface.
What is the best way to clean IPE decking?
You should routinely sweep or vacuum the surface and rinse with a garden hose to wash away debris that can stain the wood, such as dirt, pollen, or sap. You can also use wood-safe cleaners to wipe away any remaining spots.
What can I use to clean Ipe wood?
Wash your Ipe wood surfaces with a nylon bristle brush or soft towel and Penofin® Pro-Tech Wood Cleaner to remove surface dirt, scrubbing in the same directions as the grain of the wood, then rinse off with water. Once complete allow to dry. In a pinch, you may use mild dish soap, then rinse clean with water.
How do you keep Ipe looking new?
Ipe decks should be regularly kept clean of dirt and debris. Sweep leaves off the deck, don't let rusting items sit on the wood, and hose off mud or spills. You can use a hose to safely clean off your deck but be careful when using a power washer.
How do you clean algae off an ipe deck?
Mix a ⅓ cup of bleach to a gallon of warm water. Be sure to rinse well after mopping. Cleaning with bleach is also a good way to remove pollen or algae that may collect seasonally. Your ipe deck can also be scrubbed with a brush with the bleach solution, or with a wood cleaner like Murphy's oil soap.
How do I brighten my ipe deck?
Clean the deck with Messmer's Wood & Deck Cleaner (Part A), or another high quality wood cleaner of your choice, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Immediately after cleaning and rinsing, use Messmer's Wood & Deck Brightener (Part B) to brighten the wood and neutralize the pH.
How long does it take for Ipe to turn GREY?
From what we've seen, untreated Ipe decking that is in full exposure is grey in 6-12 months and needs some attention after about 3-5 years.
Should you sand Ipe wood?
Ipé decking comes with a natural finish and is ready to be lightly sanded after your installation has been completed. To remove transportation and installation scratches, you can use an orbital 5" electric palm sander with #80 grit sanding paper.
Should Ipe wood be sealed?
Does Ipe need to be sealed? Ipe does not need any “sealer” in fact the wood is dense, that it doesn't really take sealer anyways. The products used on Ipe are not really sealers as much as UV protectants. It is the sunlight that turns Ipe grey, and using these products can help protect against that.
How long does an ipe deck last?
Ipe is more durable than other woods. Within ipe wood are natural oils that preserve it; combined with the wood's exceptional density, you can expect an ipe deck or fence to last up to 50 years without replacement.
When should I oil my ipe deck?
Apply one coat of Ipe Oil by using a brush, roller, rag or sprayer. Wait 30-45 minutes for Ipe Oil to soak into the hardwood. Wipe off any excess Ipe Oil. Maintain the finish by using wood cleaner and brightener at least once a year and reapplying Ipe Oil every 1 to 2 years.
Can I use teak oil on IPE?
To help prolong the rich-reddish brown natural tones inherent in the wood, the Ipe should be oiled with a hardwood oil that contains UV inhibitors – brands that are readily available are Penofin for Exotic Hardwoods (clear version) and Watco Teak Oil.
Does Ipe need to be sealed?
Do I have to seal Ipe wood? No, but you really should. During the initial exposure of your Ipe decking or hardwood siding on site, weather, especially UV rays, take a toll on outdoor woods. Putting a coat of UV inhibitive sealer on exterior hardwoods is a great idea.
What oil do you use on Ipe wood?
Ipe Oil® and Ipe Oil® Plus™ are both oil-based hardwood semi-transparent stains exclusively formulated to dry properly on Ipe, Mahogany, Cumaru and also many other oily exotic lumber that trigger finish drying troubles.
Should you sand Ipe wood?
Ipé decking comes with a natural finish and is ready to be lightly sanded after your installation has been completed. To remove transportation and installation scratches, you can use an orbital 5" electric palm sander with #80 grit sanding paper.
How long does it take for Ipe to turn GREY?
From what we've seen, untreated Ipe decking that is in full exposure is grey in 6-12 months and needs some attention after about 3-5 years.
Why do Ipe decks need to be neutralized?
Once this has been done the ipe deck needs to be neutralized so that the pH of the wood is correct when it is sealed. Ipe is the second hardest and most dense wood known to man, and will not hold a penetrating sealer for long for this reason. Ipe deck owners should expect to get their deck washed and sealed annually.
What woods do we pressure wash?
We offer professional pressure washing, deck stripping, maintenance cleaning and sealing for a variety of hardwood species such as ipe, Pau Lope, cambara, purpleheart, mahogany and brazilian redwood.
What is the best wood for a deck?
Ipe, Cambara, Mahogany, Brazilian Redwood and Purpleheart have become popular choices in decking material for several reasons. They are beautiful woods that are durable and elegant, and they are by the definition of some, low maintenance.
Is ipe decking an annual investment?
Ipe deck care and maintenance is an annual investment, since the wood is so dense and will not allow for much penetration of any wood sealer or stain. Pressure washing Ipe using the correct methods and cleaners is suggested for annual maintenance.
Best 4 Step Guide For Cleaning & Treating IPE Lumber
Although it may seem like a tedious task at first, learning to clean and treat Ipe lumber is fun, easy and profitable. Plus, when the job is done, you’ll feel as proud as any dedicated homeowner does.
Best Tips For Cleaning and Treating Ipe Lumber
Ipe lumber is popular with homeowners everywhere, especially because it is easy to conserve. You don’t need to clean your Ipe deck once a day, just sweeping it once a week is enough to prevent dirt from building up. First, we will give you 4 tips for easy and good cleaning, and afterwards we will detail each step:
Final Recommendations For Cleaning and Treating Ipe Lumber
Before cleaning the Ipe deck, make sure that the weather does not hold any unpleasant surprises. Choose a sunny day, when the air is dry and the chances of rain are minimal.
What is an ipe deck?
Ipe is a rich brown with amber and red hues with an extremely dense interlocking grain that can be straight or wavy which makes it slip-resistant. With the right equipment, the installation of the Ipe deck can be straightforward. Due to its high density, you will need pre-drilling and carbide saw blades.
How to protect ipe wood?
Oiling and sealing are the best ways of protecting the finish of your Ipe. If you would rather allow the Ipe to gray naturally, consider sanding the spots but be very careful so as not to burnish the wood in the process.
Why is airflow important for a deck?
Adequate airflow is very important in the maintenance of your deck. Woods need room to breathe and air to prevent moisture buildup. Without enough airflow, the dampness starts sinking in and your Ipe wood begins to warp. While ipe is dense, it still moves based on changes in temperature and humidity.
How long does ipe last?
Mostly ipe is used for decking and other outdoor applications lie siding, furniture as well as fencing. When maintained well, it can last up to 75 years and 40 years in almost all applications. This is four to seven times longer than pressure-treated wood.
What is ipe hardwood?
Ipe is a naturally occurring dense hardwood that requires very little care upon installation. Unlike other options, it doesn’t expand or contract when there are changes in moisture and temperature.
Why is ipe not acclimating properly?
Even though Ipe is used outdoors, it still needs to acclimate to the conditions outside. If it does not acclimate properly, this increases the risk of splitting and the boards separating over time.
What color is ipe wood?
It is usually medium to dark brown and resembles mahogany. As such, it not only lasts as long as mahogany but has the kind of beauty found in interior wood. Ipe lumber is allowed to patina without affecting the quality of your deck but the color can be brought back with a cleaner and brightener.
General Maintenance
Make sure you have all the materials needed before getting started, and check to make sure weather won’t hamper your efforts. You will need a broom and mop, as well as any specific cleaning products you prefer, which are discussed in more detail below.
Monthly Cleaning
Once a month, a more thorough cleaning and inspection should be done. Remove all furniture, decor, and other items from the deck. Be sure to remove any grilling equipment as well, and look for grease splatters and buildup.
Yearly Cleaning
Once a year, do a complete inspection of your deck. After removing items and doing a cleaning, look for areas that might need a light sanding. If sanding is required, use an orbital sander with 50 grit sandpaper. Be sure to vacuum well after any sanding.
What is the color of ipe wood?
It is also naturally resistant to insect attack, mold, rot, fire and decay. The color of Ipe heartwood is a rich brown with red and amber hues ...
How long does IPE last?
Longevity- Ipe is renowned for its ability to last many decades even in extreme weather conditions. Density and hardness, as discussed above, plays a large role in that. Natural resistance to water penetration and rot/decay also contributes to its longevity. The forests, from which they evolved, experience 100-400 inches of rain per year. That is up to 8-10 times more than anywhere in the United States. Evolutionary responses to this heavy rainfall have made this wood naturally resistant to water penetration, mold, rot and decay.
Why Brazilian Wood Depot?
The Goal of Brazilian Wood Depot is to maintain a reliable supply of the highest quality hardwood decking, railings, siding lumber, fasteners, finishes and technical support to suppliers, contractors and home owners looking for the best products at the best prices. We certify our quality lumber with the RealWood™ tag and stand behind our best choice fasteners, finishes and accessories as being the highest quality products for the task at the best price.
What is the most flame resistant decking material?
Ipe is the most flame-resistant decking material, hands down. Ipe is one of the only materials, aside from steel and concrete, that regularly receives an A Class rating from engineering rating organizations. Plastic, composite and pressure treated lumber typically receive the lowest flame spread ratings C Class.
What is the best wood for a deck?
Ipe is considered the highest quality, best natural wood decking material on the market today. It is also one of the most popular species for decking we stock at Brazilian Wood Depot. On this page, you’ll learn more about Ipe decking, the benefits it provides and other useful information to help get you started.
How long does pressure treated lumber last?
Pressure treated lumber is considered to last about 5-7 years before boards begin to deteriorate and rot. Plastic and composite boards will typically begin to fade and deteriorate within a few years. A composite deck is unattractive and nearly unusable after about 8 years.
What is pressure treated wood?
Pressure treated wood is known for substantial expansion and contraction with seasonal changes. This process destroys the cell structures from the center of the boards, outwards.
How to clean ipe wood?
Wash your Ipe wood surfaces with a nylon bristle brush or soft towel and Penofin ® Pro-Tech Wood Cleaner to remove surface dirt, scrubbing in the same directions as the grain of the wood, then rinse off with water. Once complete allow to dry. In a pinch, you may use mild dish soap, then rinse clean with water.
How to brighten ipe wood?
To brighten and re-establish the pH balance of Ipe wood to best accept the Penofin® Verde Oil Finish, use Penofin® Pro-Tech Wood Brightener, then rinse off with water and allow to dry completely.
How long does IPE furniture last?
Ipe furniture is meant to last for many years, however, during that long life an inappropriate paint or stain may be applied. If your Ipe furniture needs to be stripped and restored to the ‘as new’ finish, follow these steps:
How to remove oil from wood?
To remove excess oil finish that hasn’t been absorbed by the wood, rub the Ipe surface with smooth rags until dry to the touch. Dispose of rags in a metal bucket of water to avoid spontaneous combustion. After completely dry, apply Wood Shield to timber to provide additional protection against water and food stains.
What is ipe wood?
Ipe (pronounced “EE-pay”) is a hardwood timber prized for its beauty and long-lasting durability in any environment. Ipe timber exhibits a deep chocolate-brown grain when new that may be allowed to naturally age to an elegant silver patina or brought back to an as new finish at any time.
Can Ipe be restored to its original color?
Ipe naturally develops an elegant silver patina over time when exposed to the elements. However, if desired, Ipe can be restored to its ‘as new’ chocolate brown finish at any time through our simple color-restoration process:
Can Ipe furniture be left outside?
Ipe furniture withstands the cold temperatures of winter just fine. You can leave your furniture uncovered outdoors and simply restore to an ‘as new’ finish with the steps above when the weather warms again. See cushion care for cushion winter storage tips.
