Archives: XPlainer FAQs

How long do railway sleepers last?

Each type of sleeper will have a slightly different life span due to different preservative treatment and different wood types. A big factor in the life span of railway sleepers is the ground conditions of the installation site and the quality of the installation. Please read our guide on installing railway sleepers on the link […]

Can you paint railway sleepers?

You can paint Railway sleepers, but you must use an exterior wood paint or preserver that has been formulated to do this job specifically. The problem with painting sleeper is that you will have to continuously re-paint them to keep them looking good. We would recommend only doing this if essential, it is best to […]

Can you lay railway sleepers directly on the soil?

Railway sleepers can be laid directly onto the soil, but in most cases, it is advisable to give them some additional treatment to prevent rot, especially in damp or wet conditions. Full installation guide on installing railway sleepers is below: Outdoor Oak and Softwood Sleeper Installation

Are railway sleepers safe for vegetable gardens?

Only new oak and treated softwood sleepers are recommended for vegetable gardens, but reclaimed sleepers have been used for decades. You would need to be sure there is no Creasote, oil or tar present in the sleepers, so it best to avoid reclaimed sleepers for this application.

Are all railway sleepers treated?

Not all railway sleepers are treated, most reclaimed sleepers at some point in their lives have been treated and sometimes not with very pleasant products. Softwood sleepers are generally pressure treated to improve their life span, and some cheaper softwood sleepers are dipped in preservative, but this is not such a successful method. Oak sleepers […]

Why is my wooden worktop sticky?

If your wooden worktop is sticky after apply a surface treatment, you have over applied the product and in most cases you will need to wait for it to dry and then remove by re-sanded and then re-apply the treatment as thinly as is possible, more coats and much better than one thick coat.

What colour silicone for oak worktop?

You would normally match the silicon you are using around the worktop to the tiles being used for the splash back. If you are not using tiles in most cases people either try to match to the worktop colour or go for stand white silicon.

How to re-oil oak worktops?

Firstly you will need to sand the whole of the existing worktop to remove any old treatment and scratches and stains, start off with 60 grit sandpaper working up to 220grit for the finished surface. When this has been achieved the surface needs to be fully cleaned and all dust removed so it’s ready for […]

How to oil oak worktop?

If using Linseed or Danish oils, pour a small amount of the oil directly onto the worktop surface and using the lint free cloth, spread it over the surface until you have a very thin and even layer that covers the whole of the worktop. For Hardwax oils follow the same process but use a […]

How to clean oak worktop?

You will only even need to clean your oak worktop with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, it’s important to avoid using any abrasive cleaning products or scouring pads as these will damage the surface of the worktops and will greatly increase your long term maintenance requirements.