DECKING

Hi,
Having just moved to new garden which in a previous message I put subject Boring garden, I wonder if anyone can give me advice.
The decking is very slippery when wet, having never had a deck before , wondered if this is usual, or is there something I can do to eliminate this hazard.
Thank you for you time.
Jackie&Bob

 

Hi, Jackie + Bob! The immediate response from me would be to eliminate the decking..... Sorry!

If you want to keep it, though, your best bet would be to thoroughly clean, sand down and re-treat it, as I would think the slipperiness will be because of a build-up of garden waste, mud, bacteria, and general yuck.

As you might have guessed, I'm not a great fan of decking, as i tends to leave the soil underneath very sour, and it's usually impossible to weed under it, although the weeds will definitely grow there....... If it was my garden, it would go! If you'd like us to give a few ideas about what to do with the garden, why not post some pics, and wait for the multitude of suggestions?! :D

 

Hi J&B,

I think Dendrobium is right about how to improve the surface. I would wait until the spring brings less constantly wet weather before sanding and treating it.

One quick-win that you could get today is to blast it with a pressure washer. Give it a quick scrub with a stiff brush first (needn't be a hands and knees job). This will physically remove lots of the algea and organic slimeyness. That should give you a temporoary solution while you consider what to do in the longer term.

A pic would be great though.

 

Thanks Guys,
Havent got a digital camera & photos I have taken, have yet to be developed, sorry.
Have only moved in 7 weeks ago, so with Bob in hospital 3 times since we moved & still in there, life has ben a bit hectic & stressful.
However he is improving & hopes to be discharged any day now.
Will see what I can come up with when my son visits , he has a digital camera.
I have got a pressure washer , so will take on board your suggestions, once the weather improves.
Thanks again.
Jackie&Bob

 

Decking at best is an eyesore. At worst it is a leg breaking hazard. Use it to feed your roses. Chop it up, burn it, let the ashes weather and feed to your roses.

Hope Bob is well soon.

 

Not everyone hates decking!!!!! If it is safe and sound, there is no reason why you should replace it.
As Matty-boy says - give it a blast with a pressure washer to get rid of the slime initially (you can do this whatever the weather - don't want you to slip and end up in hospital too!!!!). Then you can buy non - slip pads to put on it (you often see these on steps). One of the best places to get these are from Yachting Chandlers and Garden Centres who specialise in decking. This is a much cheaper option than replacing it too.

Hope Bob gets bettter soon....

 

Honey Bee's suggestion of non-slip pads is good - but the other possibility is to incorporate sand into the varnish or stain you use on it. That roughens the surface enough to help quite a bit.

All best wishes to Bob. It must be hard on you with him in and out of hospital - take care of yourself too.

 

I decking



Like everything else it needs looking after and even mine needs a de-green and feed after this winter. Just clean it up and feed it and if your still not happy with its performance look at the suggested matting or more drastic chicken wire cover like I do on my oak stump steps up to my private area :D Tacked flat it provides walking grip.

Decking is great and I have seen some great self builds on GC




BM :D

 

I so love my decking area my walkway betwen both my greenhouses.
Although yes at this time of year can be slippy or may I say leathel.

But have learned to be careful to walk around it at this tiem of yr as normally can no tget inot my greenhouse as doors are frozen.

Good luck J/B we always pressure wash ours and treat it in spring.

 

Thank you all so much for your ideas & opinions, much appreciated.
Thanks also for your concerns about Bob, he came home from hospital today, very weak & tired , but home, where I can give him loads of T.L.C.
I shall give the deck a good power wash & the sand idea sounded good, also the matting idea.
As the whole of the back garden or yard! is flagstones , concrete bits , decking & a large shed that takes up the whole width of the garden, no visible earth or grass, shall really have to do some pics, then you can see what I am up against.
When I first put out my cry for help, you came up with some great suggestions for pots/containers, & removing some flags & planting, hanging baskets to pretty up the shed etc.
Once things have settled down here I intend to put all these ideas in action.
Thanks to you all.
Jackie&Bob