Customer Maintenance
Customer Maintenance Guide
At Tayton Joinery & Landscaping, we like to help keep your new outdoor space, not only looking great but also stands the test of time.
How to look after your New Turf?
🌱 Immediate Care After Laying Turf
– Water Thoroughly: Soak the turf immediately after laying. Ensure the water penetrates the soil beneath.
– Avoid Walking on It: Use boards to distribute weight if you must step on it. Foot traffic can damage roots before they establish.
– Lay Quickly: Turf should be laid within 24 hours of delivery to prevent drying out and deterioration.
💧 Watering Schedule
– First 2 Weeks: Water daily, ideally in the morning and evening. Use a sprinkler for even coverage.
– After 2 Weeks: Reduce to every other day, depending on weather. Check by lifting a corner—if it resists, roots are forming.
– Hot Weather: Increase frequency to prevent drying out.
✂️ Mowing Guidelines
– Wait to Mow: Don’t mow until the turf is rooted—usually 2–3 weeks.
– First Cut: Use the highest mower setting. Only trim the top third of the grass.
– Regular Mowing: Mow little and often to encourage dense growth and prevent weeds.
🌿 Feeding & Fertilising
– Initial Fertiliser: Apply a gentle, organic fertiliser 4–6 weeks after laying.
– Seasonal Feeding: Use appropriate fertilisers in spring, summer, and autumn to maintain health.
🐾 Common Issues & Tips
– Dog Urine: Can cause patches—water affected areas immediately or use dog rocks.
– Leaves & Debris: Keep lawn clear to allow sunlight and prevent fungal diseases.
– Worm Casts & Fungi: Let worm casts dry and brush off; mow off fungal spores or treat with diluted washing-up liquid.
Woodwork – Fencing/Shed
Painting a new fence or new shed requires a bit of patience and timing to ensure the best results. Here’s what you need to know:
⏳ Wait for the Wood to Dry
– Pressure-treated wood: Wait 3–4 months before painting or staining. This allows the chemicals and moisture to evaporate so the paint adheres properly.
– Cedar or kiln-dried wood: You may only need to wait 1–2 months, or even just a few days after washing, depending on moisture levels.
🌤️ Choose the Right Weather
– Ideal temperature: 15–25°C
– Avoid rain, snow, or high humidity
– Pick a dry, overcast day to prevent paint from drying too fast in direct sun
🧪 How to Check If It’s Ready
– Use a moisture meter: Wood should be below 15% moisture content
– Splash test: Sprinkle water on the surface—if it beads up, it’s not ready; if it soaks in, you’re good to go
🛠️ Preparation Tips
– Clean the fence thoroughly to remove dirt, mold, or mildew
– Sand any rough or weathered areas
– Apply a wood preserver or primer if needed, especially for older or untreated wood
🎨 Painting Tips
– Use a brush, roller, or sprayer depending on your preference and fence size
– Follow the grain of the wood
– Apply 2–3 thin coats, allowing 2–4 hours drying time between each
Patio Maintenance
🧹 Regular Cleaning
– Sweep Weekly: Use a stiff-bristled broom to remove leaves, dirt, and debris.
– Wash Seasonally: Clean with warm soapy water in spring and autumn. Scrub with a brush and rinse thoroughly.
– Pressure Washing: Keep pressure low for natural stone or porcelain to avoid damage to grout.
🌿 Tackling Moss, Algae & Weeds
– Algae & Moss: Remove with diluted bleach (1:4 ratio) or white vinegar. Scrub and rinse well.
– Weeds: Pull by hand or use patio-safe weedkiller. Repoint joints with mortar or polymeric sand to prevent regrowth.
🧼 Stain Removal Tips
Oil: Absorb with cat litter or baking soda, then scrub with detergent
Rust: Lemon juice and salt paste, scrub after several hours
Chewing Gum: Freeze with ice cube, scrape off
Paint: Scrub with hot water and detergent (avoid paint remover on fresh stains)
You can buy patio cleaner online that will help hard stubborn stains.
🛡️ Sealing Your Patio
– Why Seal?: Protects against stains, water damage, and moss growth.
– When to Seal: After cleaning and drying completely. Wait 3 months for new patios to allow efflorescence to fade.
– How to Apply: Use a roller, brush, or sprayer. Apply 2 coats with drying time in between.
🛠️ Repairs & Maintenance
– Loose Slabs: Lift, clean, and reset with fresh mortar.
– Cracks: Fill with matching repair mortar or replace slab.
– Repointing: Remove old jointing and refill with mortar or jointing compound.
🌦️ Seasonal Care Tips
– Spring: Deep clean, check for frost damage, repoint joints.
– Summer: Sweep regularly, clean spills promptly.
– Autumn: Remove leaves, apply moss treatment.
– Winter: Avoid salt for ice—use sand instead. Store furniture to prevent rust stains.