Extremely Slippery decking - can it be rejuvenated?

[Buffman]

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.







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.

 

[Buffman]

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

Thanks! That one you linked looks good

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.

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 ).

If composite decking is circa £80/sqm I'd possibly just consider paving slabs to replace.

 

[Buffman]

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.

Thanks, did you do anything afterwards? Fingers crossed!!

 

[Buffman]

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.

Astro turf is a hilariously terrible idea
. I won't be doing that.

 

[Buffman]

@Buffman had almost exact same issue. Moved in October last year. Decking when wet was like a sheet of ice, not much better when dry!

Used the cleaner you’ve linked to and power hosed afterward then slapped on the below - good as new. Took about 3 tins of the stuff as the decking just soaked it all in, guessing it was a long time since it last had any treatment.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonse...ying-decking-stain-dark-mahogany-2-5ltr/7414x

Good to hear! Going by the rest of the house, they've half finished the extension then haven't done anything to the rest of the house for at least 20 years.... I'd doubt it's ever been stained in the 8 years since new if at all.

 

[Buffman]

Before wasting any time sorting it out is it worth saving? Does the area of decking ever get much sun on it? We used to have some decking at the back of our house that was lethally slippy. It never, ever got any direct sun so rarely had chance to fully dry out. I have replaced that with a patio that I jetwash all the algae and moss off every spring. A patio is more suitable as it won't rot or get slippy.

Dave

Unfortunately the decking side won't see any direct sunlight as it's North facing. The gardens approx 40m long so not an issue overall but obviously causes issue for decking.

I think i might try it and see!

 

[Buffman]

The answer thus far to my OP question appears to be: yes

The cleaner worked great and already no longer slippy. I still need to stain it with anti slip gritty stain. I bought some £10/tin "no nonsense" clear anti slip stain recommended above

The cleaner from screwfix really made it a lot better than pressure washing alone.

 

[Buffman]

Now with 2 coats of stain. Very impressed!

Total cost 3x wash fluid (around £18) - in hindsight i probably should have had another go of the half section furthest away from the house.
3x no nonsense decking stain (£30)

I won't include the £6 decking brush as that's reusable