Check the wood before you apply wood protection

Our technical staff are experts on wood protection. Below is their list of 5 things you need to look at, when you are assessing the condition of your wood.

1. Matt and faded surface

The weather impact on wood protection can be seen as changes in gloss and colour. The surface becomes matt and the colour fades because of the sun’s impact on the pigments.

This is not necessarily a sign that the wood is no longer protection, but it is the first indicator that the protective film is wearing off and that the wood needs a new coat of wood protection.

Check your own wood:

If you have some wood protection left over from last time, you can try to apply on a small area and check, if the colour and gloss of the wood has changed. If this is the case, it is time to apply new wood protection.

2. Surface deposits

Mould and algae on the surface may be a sign that the wood protection surface has deteriorated and therefore is more susceptible to moisture.

Microorganisms can grow on moist surfaces and create fouling. This in turn can discolourate the wood and erode the layer of wood protection on a longer term.

Check your own wood:

Is your wood covered with black or green incrustations, which you cannot easily brush off? Then it is time to treat with GORI Algae- & Moss Remover.

3. Peeling

The worst you can do to your wood is to leave it unprotected. This happens when the layer of wood protection peels off, because the wood protection film cannot follow the wood’s movements.

There may be several reasons for the wood protection to peel off. Perhaps the wood has been poorly protected or the construction is wrong. Perhaps the wood protection product has lost its flexibility due to the weather conditions.

When you treat the wood again, it may be necessary to do a lot of initial maintenance before applying the wood protection – you may need to sand down partly or completely to sound wood.

4. Impact from water

The wood may look good and well protected, and yet have water traps, which are the cause of damp wood over a longer period of time.

When the moisture in the wood is too high, it can lead to rot, which in turn can lead to a necessary replacement of the wood. When you replace the wood, it is important to make sure that the construction will lead water away from the wood, so you will not experience the same problem again.

5. Dry and solid surface

Make sure your wood is dry and solid before you apply wood protection. This is very important as the wood protection will otherwise only stick to the worn down and flaking surface – and subsequently it will peel off.

Check your own wood:

The tree's moisture measured with a moisture meter. In outdoor wood moisture content must be a maximum of 18%, and the windows and doors max 15%.