References Wooden decking is an attractive addition to many homes and gardens in the UK. Clean your Deck Annually. Push on the railings to check that they are strongly mounted. Check all over the decking for protruding nails, and nail them back in if you find any. But if you had timber decking installed a decade ago, chances are it’s now looking tired, dirty and algae-stained. Rinse thoroughly with a hose and allow to dry. Narrow nozzles can cut into the flooring. Although you can use the pressure washer, you should not do so until you have removed grease marks as well. Clean the decking boards systematically, starting on an inside corner of the deck and working your way out. If you want to control mold and mildew, you have to clean the deck periodically. Enzyme cleaners must be applied directly to the stain because the cleaning agents activate immediately. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. You have tried giving the decking a really good clean haven't you? Also, coat the deck periodically with a wood deck sealer, but be sure to clean it first. Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. The product then needs to be rinsed off with a hose before applying a wood treatment. This article was co-authored by Anthony "TC" Williams. Then scrub the wood with a long-handled brush. Brush Away Fungus and Leaves. "Told me exactly what I needed to know. This keeps any cracks and … If the pressure is too high on your hose, it can create discoloration on the surface of your deck. Borax can typically be found in the laundry detergent aisle of the grocery store and is a mineral compound that won't destroy your nearby plants. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 87,733 times. If any repairs need to be made, do that now, as well. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. Slippery decking is common in winter when debris or algae can collect, we recommend you keep your deck clean, use algae killer, or consider non-slip coating. Leave it to stand for up to 15 minutes to work (or follow instructions on the back of the deck cleaner box). Rinse the deck using a garden hose. Last Updated: July 28, 2020 In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas. Avoid using regular chlorine bleach to clean your deck. X However, rain and the build-up of algae or moss on the timber can make your decking extremely slippery and dangerous. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. 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. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Remember to wear water-proof gloves, boots, and possibly rain pants when working with bleach. For safety reasons, wear closed shoes, safety glasses and earmuffs. Rinse thoroughly with a garden hose after scrubbing to remove all the soap, which could make the deck slippery. The 5 Things You NEED to be Doing to Get a Job, Faster. Luckily, you can use powdered oxygen bleach to scrub down and clean your deck without damaging the deck's wood or any surrounding plantlife. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. It disperses leaves and other debris the mold can grow under, and it prevents spores that have landed on the deck from rooting. But decking is slippery even if it isn't green with algae, ... rinse.if tree,s are shading the deck you might want to consider cutting one or two down. Walter Brant is a wikiHow community member and contributor who has been repairing and restoring houses with over 30 years of experience. 1 October 2020. White distilled vinegar: White vinegar is a famous natural cleaner that can be used both inside and outside. The first port of call for stopping your decking from being (or becoming) slippery is to remove the most common substances that cause the surface to become slick. We’ve also added a bonus option at the end for long-term slippery deck prevention. Last Updated: October 22, 2020 Because decking comes in many different forms you might think cleaning it will be difficult especially if it is an anti-slip deck. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas. Decks are a great addition to any house and enable a homeowner to enjoy and experience nature more often. This article was co-authored by Walter Brant. You can use a leaf blower or an air compressor to help blow off excess water and speed up drying. Keeping your deck as clear as possible can also help you visually identify areas that might be slippery for you to avoid and/or treat. Part 1 The cleaning aisles in many grocery stores also sell oxygen bleach. If you do routine cleaning on your deck, and repair any broken boards, your deck will be a beautiful, enjoyable, and safe place to hang out for many years. Timber decking becomes very dirty and can generally … He works with homeowners to make a wide variety of improvements to make their homes more comfortable and liveable. Allow it to sit for 15 to 30 minutes before scrubbing the area with your stiff broom. This Ronseal decking cleaner really does bring decking up like new. There are 25 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. One pack is enough to clean a deck of around 24 square metres. To maintain the beauty and functionality that you want from your deck, a little care and cleaning can go a long way. ", "Pressure washer tips were easy to understand.". By Brian Rader. The product can be applied with a garden sprayer, watering can or with a brush or broom and then left to get to work. Approved. To clean a deck with bleach, start by spraying the deck with a hose to loosen any caked-on dirt or debris. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. On the other hand, when it comes to the best way to clean composite decking, the answer looks quite different from cleaning methods for natural decking. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Handyman. First, mix one cup of the powdered laundry detergent with one quart of the oxygen bleach in two to three gallons of water. This article has been viewed 44,153 times. This article was co-authored by Walter Brant. Ronseal Decking Cleaner is a good product to start with and then once the decking is clean and dry you could look at applying a Coloured Decking Oil. % of people told us that this article helped them. For more advice from our reviewer, like how to clean decking with a pressure washer, keep reading! Expert Interview. To clean decking, start by removing any furniture and sweeping the deck to get rid of dirt and debris. There is no doubt about it - wood decks make great outdoor living spaces. Clean your brushes and other equipment with white spirit straight away The drying time for Osmo Anti Slip Decking Oil is 10-12 hours under normal weather conditions, longer if it’s cool or humid. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. The Solution for Slippery Decking. So, let’s get started: 1. Locate the source of the mold and pay particular attention to that area during treatment to more permanently remove mold. Be sure to clean out the debris between your deck boards, as well. Unfortunately, decks are often susceptible to dirt and algae because they're outside. Then, working outside or in a well-ventilated area, mix 2 gallons of water and 2 cups of powdered oxygen bleach in a bucket. Likewise, people ask, how do you clean a slippery wood deck? Before you do any DIY on your decking, you need to clean it first. By using our site, you agree to our. 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. The main reason for timber deckingbecoming slippery is the growth of mosses, mildew, and algae. That’s why it’s important to keep your decking clean by regularly pressure washing and scrubbing the surface to reduce slipperiness. [1] This substance has an acrylic-based formula that allows surface water evaporation while impeding the damaging effects of moisture penetration into the wooden surface. During dry weather, these potential dangers go unnoticed, but as soon as the weather turns and it rains, your deck can become very slippery. Finally, thoroughly rinse the area with a hose. 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? In addition, it destroys wood fibers, damaging the wood over time. Frequently sweeping your deck is one of the best ways to prevent mold growth. If you don’t have a high pressure cleaner, a hose will do. Under the deck, check the joists, these are the large boards spaced every 16 in (41 cm) or 24 in (61 cm) which support the deck boards. It's also ess… The Dangers of Slippery Decking. You’ll want to seal the deck after cleaning in order to protect the wood from further damage. It will lighten the wood, making it look cleaner, but it won't actually remove much dirt. Walter Brant is a wikiHow community member and contributor who has been repairing and restoring houses with over 30 years of experience. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Clean-Decking-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Decking-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Clean-Decking-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1351324-v4-728px-Clean-Decking-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"