Does Composite Decking Get Slippery When Wet?

Slippery Decking

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. 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. It can also occur when the weather has been particularly bad. Whatever the reason, when your decking boards begin to warp and bow, you need to take action.

We know the value of making your timber deck last as long as possible! And in the North of England this can be especially tricky — but the good news is no matter what, we’re here to help! At Savoy Timber, we stock a range of decking boards to suit all budgets and projects.

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Pressure washing will remove any protective coating currently keeping your deck protected, so it’s important to replace it if you want your deck to retain maximum longevity. The process is essentially the same, minus the steps that involve mixing your solution. First, mix one cup of the powdered laundry detergent with one quart of the oxygen bleach in two to three gallons of water. Make sure to shovel off the snow on your deck and avoid letting it accumulate. You don’t have to run out during a snowstorm and shovel it off as it lands, but head out the next morning and remove the snow from the deck. To do this properly, you’ll need a power washer and some cleaning solution. You can make the solution yourself or buy a pre-made formula.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Composite Decking?

However, there’s still no 100% anti-slip composite decking. Most of them though perform better than conventional wood decking in terms of slip resistance. And there are things you can do to increase the surface traction. Even when wet, wood deck surfaces typically present less risk for slipping than composite deck boards -- unless they become dirty and neglected. Mold, mildew, moss, pollen or algae growing on a wooden deck in the shade or in a moist climate can become slippery, posing a special risk to elderly homeowners or guests.

He is passionately interested in home improvement, renovation and woodworking. Anti-slip tape works similarly to the anti-skid strips, but the tape is much easier to install, goes on quicker, and it’s cheaper as well. In fact, it’s one of the fastest and easiest solutions on this list. Keep in mind, anti-skid strips are a bit raised, so they can present a small tripping hazard.

• This is why standing water can further increase the chances of other issues forming as we’ll outline.
• 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.
• 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.
• The second option, which won’t dramatically change the look of your decking, is to apply a non-slip coating.
• Effectively, non-slip deck coating has an abrasive element that makes the surface less slippery in the rain.

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. You can also stretch chicken wire very tautly across the decking and bridge and staple it down. As always, we’re here to help you navigate any slip, trip, or fall hazard with a customized solution designed just for you. We also carry the highest-grade anti-slip epoxy paint line, Slip Doctor’s Dura Grip paint, that can be an excellent choice.

You simply paint them on like any other type of coating or paint. Shingles and rolled roofing both have a very rough surface that will provide plenty of traction.

Ice melt is the ideal choice, since sand is naturally abrasive and could easily damage the surface of the deck boards. Look for phrases such as “safe for concrete”, “safe for flagstone”, and “will not kill grass” in the ice melt product description. If you’ve been struggling with a slippery deck, trying to figure out how to make decking non slip, then I’ve got some excellent slippery deck solutions for you. From non-slip coatings and paints to effective methods to clean algae off a wood deck, one of these methods is sure to be your slippery decking cure. There are also anti-slip rugs or mats you can buy and place over a bigger surface of your composite decking. This, of course, wouldn’t be visually appealing but it would do its job of keeping the floor safe to walk on.

However, I wouldn’t recommend jumping to this solution first all the time. Pressure washing can actually damage your deck if done too much. This is best left for the major once or twice a year cleanings that will restore your deck to its former glory.

However, after discussing this issue with experts, we’ve come up with six quick ways to make your decking non-slip in winter. Use caution not to scratch your boards when removing snow or ice with a snow shovel and never use a metal snow shovel on an older generation deck. Each WPC decking we make is treated with two different surfaces, one side with a smooth surface and the other with grooves. Where better slip resistance is required, the grooved surface can be mounted upwards, and it is not easy to slip on barefoot or shoes. Here is a comprehensive article on how to make your Trex decking less slippery.

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If there is only a light dusting of snow, one of the easiest ways to clear your deck is actually with a leaf blower. Never use metal shovels or sharp-edge tools when removing snow or ice from your composite or PVC deck. Even the most resilient boards could be scratched or gouged.

If your deck is getting too slippery, then one of the major culprits is moisture. As moisture accumulates on your deck, it creates the perfect breeding ground for algae, moss, mildew, and anything else that can grow and make your deck hazardously slick. It’s important that you have a completely clean and dry surface for the tape to stick to. Make sure you thoroughly clean the deck and allow it to dry before you attempt to apply anti-slip tape. One of my favorite non-slip paints is the INSL-X Sure Step.

It’s also an inexpensive solution that does a lot of the work for you. Not everyone is up for the DIY approach of my first suggestion, so instead, you can opt for the store-bought solution that kills algae, mildew, and mold. It will do the same job with a similar level of effectiveness. By performing certain regular maintenance to your deck, you can greatly reduce or even eliminate the chances of your deck getting slippery this year. All of that moisture can freeze and create an icy layer on top of your deck that’s just asking for an accident to happen.