How To Prevent Slippery Wood Deck Surfaces

Or, you could pick a new or replacement decking boards right here on our website! And if you have any questions or still need help on deciding what to do about your slippery deck, please feel free to give us a call on .

Our composite decking products consist of wood and plastic with a rich, realistic woodgrain. According to Richmond, who installs plastic and composite decks, all-plastic planks.

How To Prevent Slippery Wood Deck Surfaces

Sweep leaves and debris off your deck as they accumulate, especially after coastal storms. This prevents the buildup of moisture on the wooden deck surface and the concomitant growth of mold and algae. Pry debris out from the gaps between deck boards with a putty knife. Clean off stubborn areas of mildew with a pressure washer, applied with a broad nozzle in a quick fanning motion to avoid gouging the wood. Non-slip coatings are acrylic-based liquids that are applied to decks just like a paint or sealer. These coatings cover the surface of the deck with a slight texture that prevents the user from slipping and are available for any type of deck surface, such as wood or concrete. An advantage of these coatings is that they do not require any special skills or materials for application, making them ideal for a do-it-yourself project.

While composite decks are built to last longer than natural wood decks, their surfaces aren’t impervious to mold and moss and the slipperiness that comes with them. If you plan to install decks by the pool or in a humid environment such as frequent rain, you will first be concerned about the safety of decks. Sunlight and rain can cause wood to crack or rot, and mold growing on decks can also make decks slippery. With composite decking, you don’t have to worry about this problem.

Decking & Railing Duos

When it comes to more drastic safety measures, if you’re worried about the dangers caused by rain on your deck, you can start by installing a non-slip deck. This is an ideal consideration if you’re planning a brand new decking project as you can give your deck the best chances of not becoming slippery by choosing this option. Available in soft and hardwood options, there are also some specialist non-slip decking solutions available, albeit some of which come at premium price, but work very well. The tape is applied to the deck like any other kind of tape, and this method is very simple.

Clear Leaves And Debris From Your Deck:

Both products feature a “cap,” which is an extra, added layer of protection that helps make them more durable and longer-lasting. When did you purchase the home and was the deck recently done. If there is mold, you will have a problem with virtually all warranties. I returned all the uncut boards to the lumber yard for credit.

You can probably do this on areas that constantly get wet, and has a tendency to get very slippery, such as near the edges of the pool. The most common reason why composite decking becomes slippery are different dirt and organic particulates that accumulates on the surface. These are algae or fungal growth, molds, or mildew, which can make the surface slippery. There’s lots of reasons why decking can become slippery, particularly in winter. The most obvious reason timber decking can become slippery is because it’s porous — this means water can collect in between the wood fibres.

A value of 35 or higher is good but if you can, go for those with values of 55 and higher. At these values, you’ll know that you have a good non-slip composite decking. When choosing a composite decking that is less slippery, you should always look for the specific model that has an anti-slip property. If you already have a composite decking installed and you don’t plan on changing it anytime soon, there are a number of ways to increase its surface traction. Composite decking, regardless of the anti-slip treatment done, could become slippery at some point. Some can become slippery easily than others, and different conditions could influence this from happening. It is then important to understand how composite decking becomes slippery and how to prevent it from happening.

He would then point you to better options for non-slip deckings. If slip resistance is a priority for your decking, you should know what to look for when buying a composite decking. Composite decking on its own has better slip resistance than wood decking.

This is perhaps the most important step in preventing a slippery deck surface. A thorough cleaning each year, ideally with a pressure washer, will allow the natural wood grain to provide extra traction and slip-resistance. Promptly sweeping leaves from your deck – particularly after storms and rain – will prevent the buildup of moisture on the deck surface and the growth of mold, mildew, and algae. You can also clear debris from cracks and gaps between boards with a putty knife or similar flat edge to halt moisture and organism growth. Over the changing seasons, leaves and debris will accumulate on your deck. If you’ve founds some winners here then share them with us. For me, I’m not comfortable trusting the same companies who told us 20 years ago that their product was foolproof and failed that now they’ve REALLY made it foolproof.

• Set the pressure to no more than 1,300 PSI to prevent or limit the damage.
• A pressure-washed deck should be allowed to thoroughly dry and then sealed with a high-quality product.
• When deciding the best means for making your deck less slippery, choose calcium chloride-based “ice melt” or rock salt to remove snow and ice from your composite decking.
• Using a power washer on the deck can cause damage to its surface which can lead to it deteriorating or rotting more quickly.
• However, it is an effective “last resort” solution when the deck has large areas affected by algae, mold or mildew.

So today we’re going to delve deeper into this problem and come up with the best solutions to for slippery deck prevention and cleaning. We also detail how much it will cost you to carry out any of these tasks. We recommend Barrettine Complete Decking and Patio Cleaner, a magical product that strips off dirt and grime like nobody’s business. It also helps control nasties like mould, algae and fungi and works on a host of different exterior surfaces, including concrete, stone and tiles. It’s easy to use, a nice quick job, and you can apply a good quality decking oil over the top, no problem at all. Ronseal Decking Oil is another firm favourite of ours – and our customers also love it.

The TrapEase screw by Master Fastener uses a built-in secondary thread system to pull excess material down as the screw burrows in. Building a deck with plastic or composite materials is very similar to using wood, with a few notable exceptions. Plastics tend to shrink and swell lengthwise as temperatures fall and rise . For that reason, manufacturers specify gaps where board ends meet, or they provide a variety of attachment options to accommodate expansion and contraction. Plastics and composites also lose some rigidity and can be vulnerable to sagging when temperatures soar.

Like any stain or protection product, it’s essential, before applying non-slip coating to make sure your deck is completely clean, dry and free of all surface dust. Firstly it’s important to keep your decking as clean as possible to help stop fungus and mold from forming. In order to deep clean your decking, you should ideally remove all furnishings and plant pots so you can brush the whole surface with a stiff broom to get rid of surface dirt. Thereafter it’s a good idea, if you have one, to clean the surface using a jet washer, set on a relatively gentle wash option. This will clear away pretty much all of the dirt that has remained after brushing. Once you’ve done this, you should spray your deck with either a dedicated deck cleaning product or a solution of warm water and soda crystals to get it really clean. By carrying out this thorough cleaning process, ideally at the start or end of each season, you’ll be helping to keep your deck safer when it rains.