Extremely Slippery decking - can it be rejuvenated?
- Thread starter Buffman
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Its upside down for a start. 
@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
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.
Gotta be worth doing, I didn't even know it was a thing really until in my old house I once slipped on the decking when carrying a full armful of large kitchen tiles we'd had taken up out to the shed. My feet shot out in front and I fell on my back with the full weight of the tiles smashing down on my forearm. Was quite scary at the time.
We have decking on our log cabins we rent out. Gets slippy after about a year.
We have coated them with some sort of oil or paint laced with sand for grit. Can't remember what its called but it does the job well.
Google decking anti slip stain and you will find something. Cleaning it just puts the issue off for another 12 months.
We have coated them with some sort of oil or paint laced with sand for grit. Can't remember what its called but it does the job well.
Google decking anti slip stain and you will find something. Cleaning it just puts the issue off for another 12 months.
Soldato
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Just keep them clean, it's the build up of mush from fallen leaves and algae that is slippery, not the timber.
Caporegime
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Exactly. I have no idea why every large home has it either.
My neighbor has never treated theirs and it's literally in pieces everywhere. Same goes for mates who had someone literally fall right through it.
The fact it has to be cleaned and treated several times per year is enough to switch to slabs, astro turf, composite, etc.
Although, I've had the same slippery problem with black mold growing on concrete paving, which, needs maintenance too;
neighbour (builder) had large, looks like limestone flags, which are probably more expensive than decking, but, will last longer/forever, versus decking in previous place which at 15years was touch and go.
neighbour (builder) had large, looks like limestone flags, which are probably more expensive than decking, but, will last longer/forever, versus decking in previous place which at 15years was touch and go.
This^ Jet wash it then use Cuprinol deck stain and keep it clear of debris by brushing. Once a year just clean and reapply deck stain. We didn't have any issues with our deck in many years of use.
Soldato
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Unsure if it's been mentioned but whoever fitted the boards didn't leave a gap. You need a gap to allow for swelling and to let rain water go through the gaps, instead of Just sitting on top of the boards which causes more algy.
Jetwash it then use some bleach and water. Once dry use decking oil
Jetwash it then use some bleach and water. Once dry use decking oil
As others have said, be careful if you jetwash as it can really knacker up the wood if you aren't careful. If you aren't careful you raise up and tear all the grain of the boards, making it rough and splintery.
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.
At the other end of the garden I have put a new deck in, this area is much more exposed and has little shade so the deck has more chances to dry out and is far less likely to get algae forming on top (making it slippy) or rot away.
If the deck gets a decent amount of sunshine, then I would clean it up and oil it. This will need doing annually, but oil can easily be applied over the old oil. Deck stain/paint is annoying as it flakes off and the loose bits need removing before you can paint it again. This is made even harder when (as chroniclard says) it's installed with the grooves facing up. Trying to remove flaking stain from the grooves is a pain.
Dave
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.
At the other end of the garden I have put a new deck in, this area is much more exposed and has little shade so the deck has more chances to dry out and is far less likely to get algae forming on top (making it slippy) or rot away.
If the deck gets a decent amount of sunshine, then I would clean it up and oil it. This will need doing annually, but oil can easily be applied over the old oil. Deck stain/paint is annoying as it flakes off and the loose bits need removing before you can paint it again. This is made even harder when (as chroniclard says) it's installed with the grooves facing up. Trying to remove flaking stain from the grooves is a pain.
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!
Wow where to start with this thread!
Interestingly people install decking groove side up. This is wrong.
Don't jet wash decking, at least not high pressure close up. Yes it will be satisfying but you are also splitting and tearing the wood so it will need sanding afterwards.
Don't paint decking. You're not poor, so why do you want a cheap nasty finish? If you must, use a coloured stain.
Don't lay composite decking over the top. Bad idea. Composite decking, like normal decking, needs to breathe. At worst, take up some of the old decking boards and leave a framework so air can circulate.
Composite decking shouldn't cost you more than £30psqm but can be much less. Any more than that and you've been mugged off. Dino Deck or Neo Timber are the ones to look for.
Interestingly people install decking groove side up. This is wrong.
Don't jet wash decking, at least not high pressure close up. Yes it will be satisfying but you are also splitting and tearing the wood so it will need sanding afterwards.
Don't paint decking. You're not poor, so why do you want a cheap nasty finish? If you must, use a coloured stain.
Don't lay composite decking over the top. Bad idea. Composite decking, like normal decking, needs to breathe. At worst, take up some of the old decking boards and leave a framework so air can circulate.
Composite decking shouldn't cost you more than £30psqm but can be much less. Any more than that and you've been mugged off. Dino Deck or Neo Timber are the ones to look for.
Soldato
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This thing about decking grooves up or down is often mis represented
You can get flat one side, flat both sides (rare) or grooved (often different profile) both sides
If the edges are all rounded then you can choose the orientation.
Occasionally you get boards that will only have one finished face, ie the edges are only finished for one face and the others are rough, those boards are orientated
These people know
https://www.tdca.org.uk/faq/timber-decking-questions/should-grooved-decking-face-up-or-down/
You can get flat one side, flat both sides (rare) or grooved (often different profile) both sides
If the edges are all rounded then you can choose the orientation.
Occasionally you get boards that will only have one finished face, ie the edges are only finished for one face and the others are rough, those boards are orientated
These people know
https://www.tdca.org.uk/faq/timber-decking-questions/should-grooved-decking-face-up-or-down/
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.
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.
Last edited:
Soldato
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Oh good reminder, the screwfix deck treatment is on offer this weekend
The biggest issue I see with decking is cheap softwood and lack of maintenance. I'm planning a decked area, fortunately south facing and I'll be using oak decking. More expensive but much longer lasting being hardwood. I prefer real wood and it's still pleasant to walk in even in the hot sun. Once a year maintenance isn't really that much of a hardship.