How to fix wooden garden steps?

[James_M]

Hi,

I have these wooden steps in my garden. One of the wooden slats is broken and I'm wondering if there is any advice on how I'd fix it?

What oil or sealant should be used on all the steps to freshen and protect them?  

 

[EricL]

Hello @James_M

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's brilliant to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about your wooden garden steps.

Looking at the photo you posted it seems that the original coating of these steps has totally worn off. Some of the slats look like they are still in good condition, however, those slats with deep cracks in them will need to be replaced. I suggest using H3 treated pine decking panel, but before you replace the panels, I propose cleaning the surface with Feast Watson 1L Woodclean, after cleaning the surface of the steps, you'll have a much better idea of which panels to replace. 

Now that you've cleaned your steps, the next step is to sand the surface of the steps to prepare it for painting. As to the type of oil or sealant to use, I suggest going to your local store and visiting the paint department. In there you'll find stain and oil samples for decking, these are all applicable to your steps. 

Here are some handy step-by-step guides:

• How to clean a deck
   
• How to sand a deck
   
• How to stain a deck

These guides I've noted are all applicable to your timber steps. My only other reminder for you is to make sure you have the correct measurement of a single panel so that you can compare it to the ones at the store. 

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[James_M]

Thanks Eric. I'll give those tips a go and see if I need any extra help.