how to clean slippery decking

Almost undetectable Ninja slime/moss appears to enjoy collecting on decking and can be very slippery. 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. This article was co-authored by Anthony "TC" Williams. Additionally, you could use a shop vacuum to get in between crevices. Allow it to sit for 15 to 30 minutes before scrubbing the area with your stiff broom. Clean the decking boards systematically, starting on an inside corner of the deck and working your way out. Expert Interview. Oxygen bleach does very little cleaner to the wood, and it's the main ingredient in most commercial deck cleaners. References. Although you can use the pressure washer, you should not do so until you have removed grease marks as well. The main reason for timber deckingbecoming slippery is the growth of mosses, mildew, and algae. Cleaning regularly your deck is the key to avoid making it slippery, as leaves and debris not only hold moisture but can also hinder drainage through the gaps between the boards. This keeps any cracks and … Decks are a great addition to any house and enable a homeowner to enjoy and experience nature more often. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. To clean a deck with bleach, start by spraying the deck with a hose to loosen any caked-on dirt or debris. You can use a leaf blower or an air compressor to help blow off excess water and speed up drying. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Rinse the deck using a garden hose. Clean your Deck Annually. This article was co-authored by Anthony "TC" Williams. You have tried giving the decking a really good clean haven't you? Cleaning timber decking is a simple task with the right products Timber decking, whilst looking great and being very functional does have a problem in that it can become very slippery during autumn & and winter months. This article was co-authored by Walter Brant. It disperses leaves and other debris the mold can grow under, and it prevents spores that have landed on the deck from rooting. Check all over the decking for protruding nails, and nail them back in if you find any. "Told me exactly what I needed to know. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Always wear comfortable, close-toed shoes with pressure washer. If a railing moves too much, use a ratchet wrench to tighten the lag bolts or lag screws at the bottom of the posts that hold up the railing. Part 1 Remember to wear proper protective gear including rubber gloves, eye protection, and a mask over your nose and mouth while you work with this solution. Contrary to popular belief, chlorine bleach is not a great cleaner for a wood deck. One pack is enough to clean a deck of around 24 square metres. Make sure you carefully go over the whole deck. Outdoor decks can lose their luster as they get older, especially the decking and the handrails. How can I make sure my deck will last a long time? Avoid using regular chlorine bleach to clean your deck. Then scrub the wood with a long-handled brush. Be sure to clean out the debris between your deck boards, as well. Once you've prepared the bleach solution, scrub the deck with it using a brush or sponge and let it sit for 5 minutes. We’ve also added a bonus option at the end for long-term slippery deck prevention. The Dangers of Slippery Decking. If you don’t have a high pressure cleaner, a hose will do. Apply your chosen cleaner to the decking using a watering can, then scrub the deck straightaway with your broom or brush, rubbing it into the grooves. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. If the pressure is too high on your hose, it can create discoloration on the surface of your deck. If any boards are cracked, replace them. Mix the solution in a bucket, and apply it with a mop or a pump sprayer. To learn how to remove mildew and stains on a deck using bleach, scroll down! Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 44,153 times. He works with homeowners to make a wide variety of improvements to make their homes more comfortable and liveable. There is no doubt about it - wood decks make great outdoor living spaces. It’s that time of the year again! How can I clean off the winter accumulation of slippery slime and algae that makes my deck or dock dangerous to walk on, and how to do it in a way that minimizes negative impacts on the environment? Slip Resistant Coating Non-slip finishes serve to add a thin layer of texture to your wooden floor, which will reduce the smoothness of the surface and enable you to grip the floor much better. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Rinse thoroughly with a garden hose after scrubbing to remove all the soap, which could make the deck slippery. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2001-07-21/news/0107210073_1_wood-cells-chlorine-bleach-mildew-and-algae, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-a-deck/#.WOZRmtIrLcc, https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/how-clean-deck, http://www.decks.com/how-to/14/using-a-pressure-washer-to-clean-a-deck, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/homemade-deck-cleaner/#.WOZLa9IrLcc, https://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/green-algae-reach-for-oxygen-bleach--not-chlorine-bleach--and-scrub-away/2012/05/22/gJQAiOvXpU_story.html?utm_term=.617072013a58, https://healthytraditions.com/householdtraditions/nontoxic-cleaners/oxygen-bleach.html, https://www.smallfootprintfamily.com/is-borax-toxic, https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-clean-and-restain-deck, nettoyer une terrasse avec de l'eau de Javel, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. How to clean decking is a question you’ll be asking yourself pretty soon and an important part of having a deck is knowing how to care for it. Because decking comes in many different forms you might think cleaning it will be difficult especially if it is an anti-slip deck. A thorough cleaning each year, ideally with a pressure washer, will allow the natural wood grain (or simulated wood grain on composite decks) to provide extra traction and slip-resistance. Rent or purchase a pressure washer with a maximum pressure of about 1500 PSI (pounds per square inch) to avoid damaging your deck. Finally, thoroughly rinse the area with a hose. Contrary to popular belief, chlorine bleach is not a great cleaner for a wood deck. Hold the nozzle at a slight angle to further lessen the pressure. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Clean-a-Deck-with-Bleach-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-a-Deck-with-Bleach-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Clean-a-Deck-with-Bleach-Step-1.jpg\/aid8714120-v4-728px-Clean-a-Deck-with-Bleach-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"