Newbie question - new merbau deck

Hi all,

I'm sure this must have been covered in these forums somewhere already, but I've just stumbled across this site which looks to be a fantastic resource and it's all a little overwhelming so I thought I'd just post a new thread and hopefully people won't get annoyed with having to answer the same questions again and again and again.......

I've just had a new merbau deck installed which, due to bushfire regs, also has merbau supports, bearers and joists and also a privacy screen.

The builder has recommended that I hose it down daily, probably for about 3 weeks or so to assist with leaching the tannins out before oiling. It's been up for about 2 weeks and I've been hosing it down nearly every day. Next week a pergola should be going on top of it just in time for Chrissy. Woo!

As I said, I've been hosing it and watching all the grape juice come out every time I hose it and just want some guidance with:

- Is daily hosing to help stop the bleeding recommended? And any idea of how long I'll need to do this? Will the merbau start to lose it's colour over this period? Once it's all bled out is that it and it won't bleed again? What happens if it isn't properly bled before oiling? Does it leak out or does the oil lock the tannins in?

- I understand that oiling will be required on a 6 monthly - yearly basis, is this right? What oils are recommended? Do you need to apply several coats first in quick succession to really get it in? I've heard about using linseed oil thinned with turps instead of commercial decking oils. Is this recommended? Will the supports, bearers, joists and privacy screen all require the same amount of love?

- Under the deck is a pool area which has terracota tiles, which are unsealed and as you can imagine have gotten pretty stained. Do you know if these stains can be removed, and if so, how? Oxalic acid?

Sorry for so many questions, but any advice, hints, tips, tricks or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance.


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