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Slippery decking
wrightt
Posts: 234
Does anyoneknow how to stop decking being/getting slippery. I have a bridge over my stream and a sitting area over my pond and though I have tried power washing them and scrubbing hard and have removed all the lichen, they are still very slippery and I can soon see myself ending up in the pond if I cannot solve this problem.
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I have a firend with the same problem and who isplanning to replace her decking with stone paving slabs. Not sure how that will work as on my shady terrace made from recycled granite pavers it always gets slippery in wet weather and all through winter.
Pressure washing is not ideal for wood as it destroys the surface and lets more water penetrate which can lead to premature rotting. You can use a special spray to prevent algae forming but be careful not to get it on precious plants either side.
You can also stretch chicken wire very tautly across the decking and bridge and staple it down. Try it on the bridge first to see how it looks and works. It will soon weather and blend in and will give you grip.
Thanks obelixx, I cannot put paving down as the bridge is curved and the decking by the pond overhangs it into the water. Both of these are in full sun and I am not worried about my pressure washer as my water pressure is so low its no more than a fully turned on hoze. I will try the chicken wire if I cannot find any other solution.
I've known the chicken wire (small hole type) work very well.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
An alternative which works in some situations is to sprinkle sharp sand over the decking boards. It isn't ideal but I use it on a sloping bit of a path made from decking as I've gone "ar*e over t*t" a couple of times when carrying plants to the GH in the dark.
Chicken wire and that sticky tape with the sand like topping works.
I jet wash mine in spring and autumn, just done the autumn one now and unless its wet (wet floor is always slippery right?) its not slippery. As to pressure washing damaging the decking, yes you can if you put the pressure washer on to high a setting and to close, but pressure washing is absolutly the recommended way to do it. less than 1300 PSI will not damage decking.
Other options, you can buy grip sticks, which you nail onto the slippery areas, these in my opinon dont look very good, but they server a purpose and may be a better option for a curved bridge (assume its higher in middle than side?)
http://www.dinogrip.co.uk/anti-slip-decking-strips
Second option is gripdeck, these are small inserts that you buy and slot into some of the grooves in the decking boards. They are not cheap, but they look the part and work well.
http://www.gripdeck.co.uk
Last opition, is to replace the deck boards with the anti slip boards, these are sold in b&q and im sure elsewhere for a more reasonable price, they are a standard decking board with anti grip stuff already attached.
http://www.diy.com/nav/garden/fencing-paving-decking/decking/decking-boards-joists-beams/deck_boards/B-and-Q-Walksure-Rubber-Topped-Deck-Board-L-2100-W-120-T-28mm-11117926
Hope these help.
My parents just mixed sand and varnish and apploied that after a clean...worked a treat!
Chicken wire works well to give a grip. I do a lot of walking and where stiles and wooden bridges have chicken wire attached it gives a good grip on the walking boots so it should work for you too..
The paths on my veg bed are timber covered with chicken netting; every now and then I lift them and scrub earth off with a scrubbing brush (takes 2 seconds) and it works fine.
As Forester says- it's on lots of walking areas like bridges and stiles to give grip and works well. The sand and varnish sounds worth trying.
Nice to 'see' you artjak
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...