Extremely Slippery decking - can it be rejuvenated?

Buffman

Buffman

Buffman

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Hi all,

Move into my new house end of this month (finally exchanged). One thing I know for sure is that the decking outside of the house is extremely slippy and a complete fall trap.

I know it was installed in circa 2013 but possibly hasn't been well maintained since then. There are lots of bushes/plants potted adjacent then may have died on it thus algae etc.

Do you think it can be "saved"/have you done similar/any tips?

Im thinking
  1. Use this cleaner https://www.screwfix.com/p/ronseal-...j8qQa9RsbbFpiIv3loRoCtPEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
  2. Jet wash the decking
  3. Seal with some sort of sealant (any recommendations?
Any other recommendations?

Some pics below. I haven't visited the property since November but know my surveyor said the same about it.

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The alternative in my mind is rip it all up and put paving flags down, but it's a signifant area that I'd want to wrap around and imagine it would cost upwards of £6k. I wouldn't want to lay new decking (despite being able to) as I believe they've laid it too high relative to the engineering bricks.
 
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Clean it (decking cleaner or some diluted bleach)

Get a good decking oil (screwfix is on offer 2 cans for £35 this Bank hol) and get a good amount of that soaked in
Ideally you want a high volatiles based treatment

e.g https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonse...aR4V13hG7eEBEJz9GzRoCNuIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Decking isnt slippy naturally but badly looked after decking is worse than slabs
It looks like it needs waterproofing otherwise water soaks in and will be drawn out onto the top when you walk on it
 
Can be easily cleaned and re oiled.

However if you have the clearance to the door so it doesnt foul, clean the old decking then lay some new composite decking straight on top.
 
Jet wash it and let dry then paint it grey something external.

Hate decking with a passion, needs cleaning and oiling every year and it’ll still be slippery. Composite decking is much better.
 
Mercenary Keyboard Warrior said:
Clean it (decking cleaner or some diluted bleach)

Decking isnt slippy naturally but badly looked after decking is worse than slabs
It looks like it needs waterproofing otherwise water soaks in and will be drawn out onto the top when you walk on it
Click to expand...

Thanks! That one you linked looks good

Scrutinize said:
Can be easily cleaned and re oiled.

However if you have the clearance to the door so it doesnt foul, clean the old decking then lay some new composite decking straight on top.
Click to expand...

Why? Is composite decking really that much better? Dumb question, but why is it so much better?

On the topic of composite decking, I've seen some crazy prices of circa £80/sqm?

If it was cheaper I'd consider it, but to be honest replacing what's their seems environmentally pretty poor, nevermind replacing it with plastic (im not an eco warrior, cost is the main driver :D).

If composite decking is circa £80/sqm I'd possibly just consider paving slabs to replace.
 
I have decking that was similarly lethal, I just jet washed it and its fine now. Its going to be a film of algae/dirt causing it do be that way.
 
Leave the decking as is. Cover it in astro turf. The decking will eventually rot. When it does rip it up and get the astro turf done properly by putting a membrane down then laying on top.

Maccapacca said:
Jet wash it and let dry then paint it grey something external.

Hate decking with a passion, needs cleaning and oiling every year and it’ll still be slippery. Composite decking is much better.
Click to expand...

Paint just peels off.
 
Psycho Sonny said:
Leave the decking as is. Cover it in astro turf. The decking will eventually rot. When it does rip it up and get the astro turf done properly by putting a membrane down then laying on top.

Paint just peels off.
Click to expand...

Astro turf is a hilariously terrible idea :cry:
. I won't be doing that.
 
I jet washed ours and then painted it with decking rescue paint, paint hasn't peeled in a year and a half.

ours was never slippery tho just in poor condition when we moved in.
 
Paint does peel from decking fairy quickly (2-3 years) but if the deck has any kind of shade on it then you get algae and will need yearly maintenance to stop it becoming a death trap.

That maintenance normally includes a good cleaning which will take off some of the paint anyway so your pretty much at paining every year regardless. Most suggest oil over paint as it doesn’t come off but you have to oil annually.

I’d try to avoid the jet wash for annual maintenance if possible and just stick to cleaning fluids and brushes. That said the OPs deck is way beyond that. A good wash with the pressure washer will take all of that off easily.
 
Maccapacca said:
Yes it does, common problem that paint peeling off. I mean my house decorations is literally peeling off everywhere :p
Click to expand...

Didn't realise your house had no roof or walls and was exposed to outdoors.

Paint simply doesn't work for decking. Not even deck paint.

You would have to paint it before it's layed down and ensure the wood is completely dry. Then seal it afterwards. The cost of both means that buying composite would have been a far better choice.
 
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