How To Make Your Current Decking Safe Underfoot
When decking is installed correctly and maintained sufficiently across the year it is just as safe as any other surface. But if decking hasn’t been laid right or it has been left uncleaned and untreated over an extended period of time, there are several potential dangers which can compromise the health and safety of individuals. Ideally investing in anti-slip decking material before getting your decking set up is the optimum way of keeping your decking safe. However, those who have regular decking need not despair as there are plenty of things you can do to keep your decking safe.
Common problems with decking
There are several problems that can gradually develop with decking over the months and years which diminish its strength, grip and overall integrity. Damp conditions are particularly harmful for decking as the wood can weaken and slippery substances can develop on the surface. Algae is another common problem on decking which can be especially slippery, while harsh winter weather is also a leading cause of decking problems.
Retrofitted anti-slip grip strips
One of the simplest yet most effective ways of making your decking safe is to invest in anti-slip inserts which provide grip for regular decking. Additionally, these inserts are a much more cost-effective solution if you have already installed decking at your property and don’t want to shell out on having the whole thing re-done with anti-slip material.
At GripDeck we offer a number of grip inserts such as our RetroGrip strips which can be installed easily and are designed to fit with most standard decking. These strips can be fitted to your current decking in just a matter of minutes for a hassle-free job.
RetroGrip inserts come with a 5 year warranty so you can be sure of getting value for your money. Currently offered in either silver aluminium or powder grey aluminium to suit different styles and colours of decking, the life expectancy of our RetroGrip product can exceeds 20 years even in high-traffic areas.
Frequent cleaning and care
Even with anti-slip technology it is still necessary to keep your decking in top shape across the year to avoid build-ups of dampness, algae and other harmful things. It is advisable to clean your decking thoroughly 3-4 times a year to keep the timber healthy and the surface clear. However, you should avoid chlorine-based cleaning products and any other high-strength chemicals as this could end up damaging the structural integrity of the timber.
Decking oil
With the right kind of oil treatment, decking can be strengthened significantly and its longevity improved. Over time all decking will gradually start to weaken if it isn’t treated as it loses natural oils and resins. Decking oil seeps into the timber and makes the cellular integrity of your decking stronger once it has dried, and it will also help to replenish the natural oils within timber to further boost its longevity and sturdiness.
