Slippery Decking

BlazingSaddler · 01-01-2013 11:40AM #1

Hi all. My decking is like an ice rink when it's damp. Does anybody have any ideas how I can overcome this other than salt/grit please!? Thank you

galwaydude18 · 01-01-2013 01:32PM

mattb74 wrote: »

Hi all. My decking is like an ice rink when it's damp. Does anybody have any ideas how I can overcome this other than salt/grit please!? Thank you

Try a power hosing and a good brush down with a stiff brush. It probably has green stuff growing on it and that's what is causing the slippyness

LIFFY FISHING · 01-01-2013 03:07PM

If you powerhose your deck you will move the pressure treatment that stops it from rotten, get a deck brush with a handle, soapy water snd elbow grease, when the fine weater returns we hope , put fine sand in a good deck preserver and give ir a couple of coats, the sand will dry into the deck trearment and give you a grit like grip.

Ambersky · 02-01-2013 02:24AM

My elderly mother is in danger of falling on the decking just outside her back door. We have hosed the surface, gritted it, cleaned it with anti algae treatment, painted it with a non slip surface treatment and it remains a hazard, especially when wet. When the temperature drops it might as well be a skating rink , with ice forming within the grooves.
Saw this on telly the other night and think it might be just the thing for my particular problem with the patio. I'm not worried about the appearance of it anymore, in fact I don't even like the look of those boards, so the tiles would make a nice alternative.

The company advertising them on telly were
celluplast http://www.rubberlok.com/
The image on their site looks different than the one I saw the other night they could do with improving the website. The image below looks more like what I saw but I think they probably come in different shapes and colours.
Apparently they are water permeable which means no ice and when wet or dry they are non slip, like the stuff used on some children's playgrounds, sounds perfect for someone with little kiddies and for elderly people as well

Ambersky · 04-01-2013 08:56PM

Bought these at the weekend in Woodies.
They had straight edges rather than the jig say fitting but slotted into one another using pegs fitted on the edges. Really easy to install.

arse..biscuits · 05-01-2013 07:01PM

Or you can get U nails, bang them in half way, then hit them from the side to flatten them down. Do them in rows.
It's done on walkways up the Dublin Mountains

http://wicklowcountywalks.com/images2/DMW/DMW5/HD/DSCN6521.JPG

leeomurchu · 05-01-2013 07:05PM

LIFFY FISHING wrote: »

If you powerhose your deck you will move the pressure treatment that stops it from rotten.

I find that hard to believe.

A good scrub with hot water OP it will remove the mildew on it which is causing the slippy surface. It has to be done every winter with decking it's usually caused by decaying leaves plant life etc.

Maudi · 05-01-2013 07:50PM

arse..biscuits wrote: »

Or you can get U nails, bang them in half way, then hit them from the side to flatten them down. Do them in rows.
It's done on walkways up the Dublin Mountains

http://wicklowcountywalks.com/images2/DMW/DMW5/HD/DSCN6521.JPG

i did similiar to this for an rich aunts dec recently..but used the u nails to hammer down a layer of chicken wire mesh..(glendalough board walk) works a treat for grip.

leeomurchu · 05-01-2013 07:52PM

arse..biscuits wrote: »

Or you can get U nails, bang them in half way, then hit them from the side to flatten them down. Do them in rows.
It's done on walkways up the Dublin Mountains

http://wicklowcountywalks.com/images2/DMW/DMW5/HD/DSCN6521.JPG

and creates possibly the most uncomfortable walking surface known to man

arse..biscuits · 06-01-2013 12:54AM

leeomurchu wrote: »

and creates possibly the most uncomfortable walking surface known to man

In bare feet maybe, although it's probably not too bad. I've been on decking that was so slippy it was near impossible to walk on without ending up on your back. I know which I'd prefare.

dodzy · 06-01-2013 01:30AM

"Hammer in U Nails"

"Cover decking with chicken wire"

Seriously, I've never heard such sh1te advice in all my life.

policarp · 06-01-2013 02:17AM

dodzy wrote: »

"Hammer in U Nails"

"Cover decking with chicken wire"

Seriously, I've never heard such sh1te advice in all my life.

I've seen it done and it seems to work.

Maudi · 06-01-2013 02:45AM

dodzy wrote: »

"Hammer in U Nails"

"Cover decking with chicken wire"

Seriously, I've never heard such sh1te advi

ce in all my
very quick with the dirty language there rita..no so quick with help i notice..

leeomurchu · 06-01-2013 11:02AM

Maudi wrote: »

dodzy wrote: »

"Hammer in U Nails"

"Cover decking with chicken wire"

Seriously, I've never heard such sh1te advi

ce in all my
very quick with the dirty language there rita..no so quick with help i notice..

In fairness other than the language he/she does have a point.

I for one would not want hammer in u-nail or chicken wire strewn across my deck it would look shocking.

Also as per the example of it being done on mountain trails. How often do you see the chicken wire all torn up? so you'd be going form a slippery surface to a trip hazard.

The only solution is elbow grease. If you're decking is in a damp shaded area op the problem will be exaggerated so in your case it may be best to remove the decking altogether and replace with paving slabs.

You can also get a pvc type decking that would probably be easier to clean and therefore easier to maintain. This type of deck looks terrible if fittted badly though but if done properly it looks well.

I think these are your only solutions to be fair.

Decking is hard work good luck

leeomurchu · 06-01-2013 11:07AM

arse..biscuits wrote: »

In bare feet maybe, although it's probably not too bad. I've been on decking that was so slippy it was near impossible to walk on without ending up on your back. I know which I'd prefare.

In bare feet definitely no maybe about it.

As I regularly go hiking in the mountains I know myself how uncomfortable these are to walk on over a prolonged period in hiking boots never mind shoes,sandles,runners.

Also u nails alone are just as slippy in the wet if there's no deep grips on your footwear.

gozunda · 06-01-2013 11:25AM

Ah the ol slippery decking problem

Well imo basic problem is our lovely climate

All wood structures undergo rapid breakdown because of the high volume of rainfall and the very few days that wood actually gets to dry out

Someplace like California I can understand or maybe the south of Spain but in this country no matter what you do wood will start to break down as soon as you put it outside no matter what timber treatment it has

Tbh the decking industry here has been the biggest con since thatch went out in the 60's

Solution? Get rid of the decking - no amount of scrubbing, domestics, special cleaner is going to get rid of the basic problem that the wood is WET

So either take out the chainsaw and use it for fire wood or buy a non porus decking material ( ie not made of wood)

I hear concrete with a rough finish is quite good....

Decking will at least make decent firewood if chopped up and left to dry in a shed !

arse..biscuits · 06-01-2013 11:31AM

dodzy wrote: »

"Hammer in U Nails"

"Cover decking with chicken wire"

Seriously, I've never heard such sh1te advice in all my life.

No need to be abusive. The OP asked for advice on how to stop the slipperiness, I have offered one solution.
I notice you haven't given any solutions.

fergal.b · 06-01-2013 12:00PM

Another solution might be to paint it with non slip paint like the type used on boats or coat it in epoxy mixed with silica sand or sprinkled on top you could also use walnut shells if you ever wanted to sand it back smooth the shells come in different grades and are used for blasting.
Just a thought it might be cheeper than putting down mats.

.

dodzy · 06-01-2013 02:51PM

arse..biscuits wrote: »

No need to be abusive. The OP asked for advice on how to stop the slipperiness, I have offered one solution.
I notice you haven't given any solutions.

Apologies, but I really thing that the suggestions are silly and would totally destroy the aesthetics that the decking is designed to provide. Apart from the reduction of the comfort factor underfoot.

Decking requires maintenance, simple as that. I laid approx 20 sq mtrs of pressure treated at the rear of my house maybe 10yrs ago. My only regret is not oiling it at the start ( it would have cost €200 approx for the oil as fresh decking requires multiple applications ). I power wash it prob twice per year. It'll never look as good as the day it was put down but its still in decent nick.

Ideally, wash it down with the powerwasher ( dont kiss the decking boards with the powerwasher, as tempting as it is, as it'll strip the surface of the boards. 6" distance is fine.
Once done, apply a deck cleaning solution and allow to penetrate.
Work in well with a decking scrub ( tough work ! )
Wash off.
Thats about the easiest solution for removing the winter mildew and moss. It should remain reasonably "slip free" during the next 9 months, and look a hell of a lot better.

chris445 · 06-01-2013 11:23PM

There is a solution on the market for this. I'm nearly sure Ive posted a pic of it on this forum before. Its a strip with a grit on it that you glue down in between the grooves in the decking. Heres a link to a page that has an example on it. Its under retro grip. Theres plenty of other suppliers of it out there too. I've seen it in Noyeks but from what I can remember it was fairly expensive.

http://www.abbeywoods.ie/decking.htm#RetroGrip Bottom

dodzy · 07-01-2013 02:23PM

chris445 wrote: »

There is a solution on the market for this. I'm nearly sure Ive posted a pic of it on this forum before. Its a strip with a grit on it that you glue down in between the grooves in the decking. Heres a link to a page that has an example on it. Its under retro grip. Theres plenty of other suppliers of it out there too. I've seen it in Noyeks but from what I can remember it was fairly expensive.

http://www.abbeywoods.ie/decking.htm#RetroGrip Bottom

You can forget that. At €4.65 per mtr, It'd cost more than the decking;)

hairynipple · 07-01-2013 07:52PM

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/180769036806?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_1446wt_1037

im going to give this a try. cheapest solution ive seen out there. Just need to give the decking a good clean before applying in spring hopefully!

dodzy · 07-01-2013 08:00PM

hairynipple wrote: »

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/180769036806?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_1446wt_1037

im going to give this a try. cheapest solution ive seen out there. Just need to give the decking a good clean before applying in spring hopefully!

It'll look crap. But I'm sure you know that already.

Hootanany · 07-01-2013 08:10PM

I'm putting Fake Grass on mine fed up with the Maintanance.

3ndahalfof6 · 07-01-2013 08:15PM

A couple of heat lamps at the right height on a timer.

CJhaughey · 08-01-2013 01:57PM

Hootanany wrote: »

I'm putting Fake Grass on mine fed up with the Maintanance.

Thats a great idea, but how does the decking dry under it?
I would be worried about the deck just rotting away if it can't dry.

hairynipple · 08-01-2013 02:08PM

dodzy wrote: »

It'll look crap. But I'm sure you know that already.

sure it looks terrible at the moment! id love to get rid of it but cant as all id have then would be a big soggy square patch.

The area gets absolutley no sun apart from the summer months.

Hootanany · 08-01-2013 06:37PM

CJhaughey wrote: »

Thats a great idea, but how does the decking dry under it?
I would be worried about the deck just rotting away if it can't dry.

Haven't put it down yet looking for a cost effective price first getting some scary quotes 15.99 per m2 im meen its Fake grass not the real stuff.

dodzy · 08-01-2013 10:19PM

hairynipple wrote: »

sure it looks terrible at the moment! id love to get rid of it but cant as all id have then would be a big soggy square patch.

The area gets absolutley no sun apart from the summer months.

Oh for a south facing rear garden. I'd kill for one

CJhaughey · 09-01-2013 11:56AM

Hootanany wrote: »

Haven't put it down yet looking for a cost effective price first getting some scary quotes 15.99 per m2 im meen its Fake grass not the real stuff.

I know its artificial but it still comes on a roll and is rolled over the deck.
Which will slow down any air drying that is possible.
Its a great idea but the idea of the wood being wet and dark for a whole year worries me.

Hootanany · 09-01-2013 12:23PM

No I think it is breathable.

Slippery Decking

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