He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas. Periodically coat your deck with a wood deck sealer. Although you can use the pressure washer, you should not do so until you have removed grease marks as well. He works with homeowners to make a wide variety of improvements to make their homes more comfortable and liveable. Likewise, people ask, how do you clean a slippery wood deck? Finally, thoroughly rinse the area with a hose. Research source. Just combine one gallon of water with one cup of white vinegar and scrub the deck with the solution to remove algae, mildew, and mold. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. 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. Wooden decking is an attractive addition to many homes and gardens in the UK. For more advice from our reviewer, like how to clean decking with a pressure washer, keep reading! One question we often get asked at Amateur Gardening is how to revive sorry-looking decking without the use of algae-killing chemicals – or taking up and replacing decking boards. 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. Alternatively, mix a commercial deck cleaning product. This is perhaps the most important step in preventing a slippery deck surface. A proper application of a sealer will help keep the deck clean and in better condition. Clean your Deck Annually. To maintain the beauty and functionality that you want from your deck, a little care and cleaning can go a long way. For more advice from our reviewer, like how to clean decking with a pressure washer, keep reading! If you’re cleaning an older deck, make sure the high pressure cleaner doesn’t split or crack the wood. Once you've prepared the bleach solution, scrub the deck with it using a brush or sponge and let it sit for 5 minutes. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. However, rain and the build-up of algae or moss on the timber can make your decking extremely slippery and dangerous. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Otherwise you could get water pooling under your deck, which may cause additional problems. That’s why it’s important to keep your decking clean by regularly pressure washing and scrubbing the surface to reduce slipperiness. It can also corrode metal fasteners such as screws and nails. Enzyme cleaners must be applied directly to the stain because the cleaning agents activate immediately. Allow it to sit for 15 to 30 minutes before scrubbing the area with your stiff broom. It’s important to understand which products are safe for different outdoor spaces and which ones could leave lasting damage. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Never under any circumstances mix bleach with ammonia, as this results in toxic fumes. Mix the solution outside or in a well-ventilated area. However, certain products may cause harm to your composite deck. Decks are versatile – they can be a stylish entertainment space, a safe surface upon which children can play, and create an attractive focal point in any garden. Make sure you carefully go over the whole deck. If any repairs need to be made, do that now, as well. Expert Interview. We’ve also added a bonus option at the end for long-term slippery deck prevention. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. If you want to control mold and mildew, you have to clean the deck periodically. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. To learn how to remove mildew and stains on a deck using bleach, scroll down! Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. 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. ", "Pressure washer tips were easy to understand.". You can easily make your existing old deck non-slip by choosing from an array of affordable solutions. % of people told us that this article helped them. Frequently sweeping your deck is one of the best ways to prevent mold growth. Avoid using regular chlorine bleach to clean your deck. To learn how to remove mildew and stains on a deck using bleach, scroll down! Anti Slip for Decking – Upkeep and Maintenance You want the areas of your deck that get particularly heavy foot traffic to stay anti-slip. Handyman. 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. Also, coat the deck periodically with a wood deck sealer, but be sure to clean it first. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. Oxygen bleach does very little cleaner to the wood, and it's the main ingredient in most commercial deck cleaners. Then, mix oxygen bleach and warm water in a bucket and use a long-handled scrub brush to apply the solution all over the decking. 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. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. Then, mix oxygen bleach and warm water in a bucket and use a long-handled scrub brush to apply the solution all over the decking. 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. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. This article was co-authored by Walter Brant. Click to see full answer. Rubber-soled shoes (especially boots) are ideal. In addition, it destroys wood fibers, damaging the wood over time. It will lighten the wood, making it look cleaner, but it won't actually remove much dirt. … To clean decking, start by removing any furniture and sweeping the deck to get rid of dirt and debris. A high pressure cleaner will wash away any remaining dirt. Approved. 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. Rinse thoroughly with a hose and allow to dry. After you've finished cleaning the deck, remove the plastic wrap immediately. Mix the solution in a bucket, and apply it with a mop or a pump sprayer. This article has been viewed 87,733 times. If the pressure is too high on your hose, it can create discoloration on the surface of your deck. This article has been viewed 44,153 times. Mop the deck and let the solution sit for about 10 minutes. Additionally, you could use a shop vacuum to get in between crevices. To clean a deck with bleach, start by spraying the deck with a hose to loosen any caked-on dirt or debris. The product then needs to be rinsed off with a hose before applying a wood treatment. X Push on the railings to check that they are strongly mounted. 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. If any repairs need to be made, do that now, as well. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 87,733 times. 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. Luckily, you can use powdered oxygen bleach to scrub down and clean your deck without damaging the deck's wood or any surrounding plantlife. % of people told us that this article helped them. 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. Thereafter it’s a good idea, if you have one, to clean the surface using a jet washer, set on a relatively gentle wash option. 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. Walter Brant is a wikiHow community member and contributor who has been repairing and restoring houses with over 30 years of experience. It's also ess… Let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing off the deck with a hose. Walter Brant is a wikiHow community member and contributor who has been repairing and restoring houses with over 30 years of experience. You can remove debris like sticks, leaves, and seeds with a leaf blower. For safety reasons, wear closed shoes, safety glasses and earmuffs. This Ronseal decking cleaner really does bring decking up like new. How to clean decking. So, let’s get started: 1. 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. 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. Luckily, you can use powdered oxygen bleach to scrub down and clean your deck without damaging the deck's wood or any surrounding plantlife. You can either do this using a chemical formula which quickly gets to work and doesn’t require too much work from you. If you don’t have a high pressure cleaner, a hose will do. 1 October 2020. Unfortunately, decks are often susceptible to dirt and algae because they're outside. Hold the nozzle at a slight angle to further lessen the pressure. There are 25 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Finally, rinse off the deck with a hose to remove all of the bleach residue. Narrow nozzles can cut into the flooring. Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. The 5 Things You NEED to be Doing to Get a Job, Faster.