Teak copes well at sea, but it is not indestructible. The care you give it decides how long it lasts and whether the deck stays safe underfoot.
What to do
- Clean regularly and gently, with a product that is not aggressive and a brush that follows the grain. Regular gentle care beats an occasional hard clean.
- Check the seams. They keep water out of the structure, and if they crack or lift, the water getting beneath causes much bigger damage.
- Accept that teak turns grey in the sun. That is normal and not a sign of wear.
What to avoid
- Hard scrubbing. It removes wood and thins the deck over the years.
- Pressure washing. It can etch the softer wood between the grain lines and damage the seams. If used, keep it low pressure and at a distance.
There is no general rule for when a deck should be replaced. When the wood has thinned a lot or the seams no longer hold, it needs an assessment on site.
We carry out teak decking work for yachts.
