Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For Sales and advice call: 0345 0268 799 (Local Rate). Work one of the stops into the gap between two straight boards and place the other stop on the edge of the warped board, then tighten the clamp to draw the warped board into place. Replacing the fasteners isn’t difficult – you simply pull out the old ones and drive new ones – but straightening the boards can be difficult. It is very dangerous to slip on decks. There’s lots of reasons why decking can become slippery, particularly in winter. Which products do we recommend for treating faded, silvery garden decking boards? This is why standing water can further increase the chances of other issues forming as we’ll outline. As we head into the winter months, temperatures will drop, leaves will collect on the deck, and the amount of sunlight decreases, which may cause decking to become slippery! An acrylic coating system makes a deck slip resistant. This section of 2014 TREX IS SLIPPERY. If it starts to rain, cover the decking to protect the stain while it drives. If you’ve tried all of our suggestions and are still experiencing getting lots of algae and moss every year it may be time to consider slip-resistant coating. The instructions vary by manufacturer, but the basics are the same. But we can make sure that our decking stays safe to walk on all year round. Apply Non-slip Decking Oil. What is the best timber for decking?
 →, Head Office: Savoy Timber, Ashton St, Off Fylde Rd, Preston, Lancashire PR2 2PP. Read on for expert advice about getting timber decking back into tip-top condition for a long, hot, lazy summer of alfresco fun. No surprise there when the great British weather delivers such a mish-mash of different conditions peppered with what seems like at least one record-breaking extreme weather event every year. We might not be able to convince the UK weather to become a constant Malibu sunshine. As we’ve previously discussed, your decking is outside and exposed to the elements which can lead to moisture, collecting on your deck. MacLumber, headquartered in Bamberg SC, is a manufacturer and supplier of plastic lumber used for decking and other outdoor areas. Water in heavy doses can harm the integrity of wood which is why it usually needs to be treated either at the mill during production or once you’ve completed your project. Our blog post about stopping slippery decking is one of the most popular ‘how to’ resources on our site. If someone slips on your garden deck at home, it’s unlikely they’ll sue you. The product offers unrivalled durability with really good UV protection and it’s dry and rainproof in just an hour and a half. Advice please re decking: Our shed decking has narrow gaps running from front to back, which meant that during the torrential rain the rainwater ran all the way into our shed and flooded it. 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 0345 0268 799. There are now a range of decking restorers specially designed to restore your decking’s lovely natural look and colour. Make sure to shovel off the snow on your deck and avoid letting it accumulate. When fungus meets wet wood, the tannin in the timber reacts and forms a horrible black stain. Decking oil, how to make it yourself! What if straightening the boards just isn’t going to fix the issue? Wood is more likely to have smooth spots created by wear; such spots may be slippery when wet. As debris when covered by snow can cause growth and can increase the weight of your decking — which may not be able to handle the extra weight. 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. In addition the decay of leaves can help speed up the growth of bacteria, fungus, mould, algae, or moss on your deck. Algae is the top cause of a slippery deck, and the key is to prevent it from growing. Low odour and versatile, you can simply overcoat it with both wood preservation products and wood oils once fully dry. Why does decking get slippery? Decking is one of the most practical additions you can make to any garden environment, and one of the most attractive too. And in the North of England this can be especially tricky — but the good news is no matter what, we’re here to help! 0. Not impressed with the results at all, didn't last long enough. At the end of 2008 I like many fellow Aussies added on a hardwood timber deck to our new home. Once applied, the finished decking will retain its natural wooden look whilst providing protection against slippery decks. Sunlight and rain can cause wood to crack or rot, and mold growing on decks can also make decks slippery. If your wooden decking is slippery, blackened, faded, dirty, warped or marred by unsightly gaps, all is not lost. My recommendation would be to go back to bare wood and apply a Preservative first to protect from mould, mildew and rot and then a Decking Oil such as Barrettine Decking Oil. Keep your Deck Clear of Debris to Prevent Algae. I hope that helps and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to get back in touch. We also talk about dealing with wood rot in our post about How to Clean Decking, packed with practical advice about keeping your garden deck looking absolutely fabulous. Decking oil also tends to be less slippery because it penetrates the wood instead of sitting on top of it. It’s possible that the propensity of the first generation Trex decking to allow the growth of mold and mildew might have been a factor in some Trex decking to be slippery, depending on the environmental conditions. The use and application can vary from product to product so always read and follow the manufacturers instructions on the tin. We’ll discuss common reasons your deck may become slippery in the winter and what you can do to protect it. Another common cause of slippery decking is debris — particularly as the leaves begin to fall during autumn. Top of the list for anti-slip decking finishes are our range of anti-slip or slip resistant decking oils, closely followed by anti slip decking stains and coatings. One of the most common reasons your deck may become slippery is algae and moss growth. With composite decking, you don’t have to worry about this problem. But the colour change actually signals UV and water damage to the surface of the timber and although it’s OK to leave it to fade, your decking will last longer if you treat the UV damage to help bring back the wood’s glorious natural colour and sheen. The collection of leaves can be unsafe if they are allowed collect on walkways or stairs. I spent hours trying to sand it off, but to cut long story short, I ended up putting undercoat on whole thing and then bought Cuprinol garden shades, country cream, my problem is its washing off every time it rains???????? All types of decking will get slippery when icy, but composite decking seems to worsen in winter than natural wood. Or, you could pick a new or replacement decking boards right here on our website! Water and ice accumulation from rain and snow may create slippery conditions on any deck surface. Alternatively, see our decking treatments FAQ page which covers many of the most commonly asked questions about decking treatments. Here’s how to treat decking with oil. We notified Trex via email. But it’s well worth the effort as the wood’s natural colour will come back through within 48 hours, just like magic. We love to see before, during and after photos of any wood finishing project. Osmo Anti Slip Decking Oil is perfect for your home garden decking and equally good for making decked steps safe. If the decked surface is left to weather then over a short period of time mildew and algae deposits can begin to form. Another way to improve the health of your deck is to observe for moss or algae on a regular basis. Make sure that there are no waxy residues left that will make the floors slippery. This will not only make your deck slip resistant, it will also protect it from water damage, UV radiation, abrasion and foot traffic. Composite decking is maintenance free Any surface will develop unwanted grime if it's exposed to moisture. The timber used in decking is prone to developing a layer of algae on the surface, which when wet becomes incredibly slippery and causes a hazard. And while there’s not much anyone can do about the sun or the temperature, there’s a lot you can do to protect your decking any time of the year. Our popular blog post about How to Clean Decking also delivers all the answers you need if your wooden garden deck is grubby and tired-looking. Once we have a better understanding of the problem we may be able to help. We’ve talked about how to fix blackened timber decking in our blog post Wooden Decking Stains, Treatments & Oils: Part 2 – Problems & Cures. Click to see full answer People also ask, does composite decking get slippery when wet? This moisture when combined with temperatures and lack of sunlight create the perfect conditions for algae and moss to grow. Use a Vinegar Solution Sweep the dirt and grit from the floor first. But it’s also a great product for commercial decking in places like pubs, cafes, nightclubs and restaurants. The most obvious reason timber decking can become slippery is because it’s porous — this means water can collect in between the wood fibres. Standard timber decking can become slippery all year round, and once this happens it can become a real hazard for anybody who walks on the surface. Most hardware shops will provide an anti-slip decking oil, which offers a matt finish that is highly resistant to water and acts as a dirt repellant. They notified us back via email that we should use their 'Trex strips to make it less slippery' They have these readily available for their stairs! According to Richmond, who installs plastic and composite decks, all-plastic planks seem to be a little more slippery than regular wood, whereas composites are not. We recommend Barrettine Complete Decking and Patio Cleaner, a magical product that strips off dirt and grime like nobody’s business. This method can be applied retroactively and doesn’t always need to be done with the installation of your deck. I've got some down the side of our house just built in the spring. They do this with a compound called Oxalic acid that reverses the chemical damage done to the wood by sun and water. Whether you’ve gone for cheap decking or something sturdier and longer-lasting, blackening is a risk, especially after a long, wet winter. Could you contact us to explain further and perhaps supply some photos please. One may also ask, does T Rex get slippery when wet? The most common reason why composite decking becomes slippery are different dirt and organic particulates that accumulates on the surface. If you’ve left your decking maintenance for too long you might find the boards have warped, something that happens when the deck hasn’t been adequately weather treated. Mop the floor with a vinegar solution (1 cup white vinegar for every gallon of warm water), making sure that you do not spill water. You might have to replace the warped boards altogether, in which case here’s a link to some sensible advice about how to replace warped decking. Ronseal Decking Oil is another firm favourite of ours – and our customers also love it. While composite decks are built to last longer than natural wood decks, their surfaces aren’t impervious to mold and … Any outdoor surface can become slippery if periodic maintenance is not performed, specifically timber and decked areas. I’m not sure that I fully understand the issue that you are experiencing. Water in heavy doses can harm the integrity of wood which is why it usually needs to be treated either at the mill during production or once you’ve completed your project. Decks will be slippery after oiling so make sure they are completely dry before you start using them again. Luckily a good wood filling product, which acts like an epoxy filler, should do the trick. Install a Non-slip Deck. Even oil on Ronseal's website is listed as 'medium' protection. Whatever the reason, when your decking boards begin to warp and bow, you need to take action. Slippery decking timber – How to make things safer Our blog post about stopping slippery decking is one of the most popular ‘how to’ resources on our site. One concern about nonwood decking is how slippery it can be when wet. Both posts include sensible recommendations about fighting wood rot and getting rid of the black stuff, namely using Barrettine Mould and Mildew Cleaner, a brilliant industrial-strength fungicidal wash designed to kill fungi, mould, mildew and algae. This can happen at any time of the year, as we well know in the UK, where we are experiencing increasingly unpredictable weather. Sorry you hurt youself. Wooden Decking Stains, Treatments & Oils: Part 2 – Problems & Cures, Barrettine Complete Decking and Patio Cleaner, some sensible advice about how to replace warped decking, Ronseal Ultimate Protection Decking Stain, Garden Decking Stains, Treatments and Oils: Part 1- Getting Started, Wooden Decking Stains, Treatments and Oils: Part 2 – Problems and Cures, Decking Oils, Stains and Treatments: Part 3 – Application and Protection, The Dining Table: The Family Centrepiece of Christmas, Eco-Friendly Nursery Paints: Made With Your Family and Planet in Mind. Apply Non-slip Decking Oil If you have a little more time on your hands, you can apply various treatments to your decking timber to help prevent the surface from becoming slippery. Can you install Trex decking in the winter? Better still it’s slip resistant, ideal for all kinds of decking designs whether it’s the smooth stuff or the version with a ridged profile, both softwood and hardwood decking. Just bear in mind wood filler isn’t suitable for repairing gaps and holes so large they actually qualify as structural damage. This becomes a problem when a board pulls out the fasteners holding it to the joists. Though in places where it rains a lot you may need to invest in a good moss and algae killing product if you start to see it appear! Autumn leaves, rain, damp and … • A build up of algae on the timber is a common cause • Rotting vegetation and autumn leaves are contributing factors • All these things are made worse by damp environments, with little sun • Colder, longer winters also bring snow and ice • Decking must be cleaned 2 to 3 times a year to keep your deck safe Safety Warning. 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. If you need help or advice on your timber deck drop by any of our stores in Blackpool, Preston, or Wigan and speak to one of our experts! You can also deck the wood treated to make it last longer, we haven't done this and have had it for 2 years with no major fading or discolouration. We also make product recommendations which are all backed-up by customers reviews from people who have purchased and used these products. 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