Decking CleaningAcross Hampshire —Safe Underfoot Again
Softwood, hardwood and composite decking cleaned with the right pressure and chemistry. Black algae removed, grain lifted, boards left safe to walk on in the wet.
Local
Based in Havant
Insured
Public liability cover
Written
Fixed quotes in writing
Soft wash
Surface-correct method
Decking doesn't go grey and green because it's old. It goes that way because it's biological.
The black film on a neglected deck is algae, and the greasy feel underfoot in winter is the same organism holding water on the surface. It is genuinely one of the most slippery surfaces around a house — and it cleans off completely when it's treated rather than scrubbed.
We clean softwood, hardwood and composite decking across Hampshire and West Sussex — garden decks, raised terraces, balcony decking, steps, balustrades and the boards around hot tubs and garden rooms.
Timber decking is pre-treated with a biocide to kill algae and mould at the root, then cleaned along the grain at controlled pressure — enough to lift the ingrained film, never enough to furr the timber or blow out the soft spring grain between the harder rings. Grooved boards are worked groove by groove, because the grooves are where the growth lives.
Composite decking is a different job. It is cleaned with detergent and soft brushing at low pressure, since aggressive washing damages the cap layer and voids most manufacturers' warranties. We check the board type before we start.
- Softwood, hardwood and composite boards
- Grooved and smooth board profiles
- Steps, balustrades and handrails
- Algae, mould and black spot treated at the root
- Cleaned along the grain, never across it
- Debris cleared from between boards and joists
Why a neglected deck is a safety problem, not a cosmetic one.
Timber decking is the surface most likely to put someone on their back in a British winter, and the damage underneath usually starts long before the boards look bad.
Wet algae is genuinely slippery
A green or black film on decking becomes dangerously slick as soon as it rains. Steps and thresholds are the worst points, and it affects everyone using the garden.
Trapped debris rots the structure
Leaf litter and silt packed between boards and onto the joists holds water permanently against the timber. Boards can look sound while the joists beneath them are already going soft.
Ingrained growth eats the finish
Algae and mould break down whatever oil or stain is left on the boards. Once the finish has gone, the timber weathers grey and starts to split — and re-oiling over dirty boards seals the problem in.
A clear, methodical system — built around your time and your property.
Inspection
We assess the surface, age, material and condition on site or from your photos — and quote in writing.
Preparation
Plants, drains and fragile fixtures are covered. Loose debris is cleared before cleaning begins.
Treatment
The correct chemistry and pressure for the surface — biocides, detergents or pure cleaning where appropriate.
Verification
A controlled rinse, inspection in natural light, and a walk-around with you to check every metre.
Completion
Site left spotless. Aftercare advice and a clear written invoice.
The benefits you'll actually notice — and the ones that pay for themselves.
Slip risk cut immediately
Removing the biological film is what makes decking safe again — not sanding, and not a quick hose down.
Grain and colour brought back
Cleaning along the grain lifts the grey weathered film and shows the timber underneath, ready for oil if you want it.
Composite-safe method
Composite boards are cleaned with detergent and soft brushing at low pressure, protecting the cap layer and the manufacturer's warranty.
Structure cleared too
Debris is removed from between boards and off the joists, which is what actually extends the life of the deck.
A proper base for oiling
If you plan to re-oil or re-stain, a cleaned and fully dried deck is the only surface worth putting product onto.
Regrowth slowed
Biocide pre-treatment keeps working after we leave, so the deck stays clear noticeably longer than after a plain wash.
How we clean each type of decking.
Board material and profile change the method completely. Getting this wrong is how decks end up furred, striped or permanently marked.
Softwood decking (treated pine and spruce)
Softwood is the most common and the least forgiving. We pre-treat with a biocide, allow dwell time, then clean at controlled pressure with the fan held along the board and moving with the grain. Too much pressure raises the soft spring grain into a furry surface that then traps dirt faster than before — the classic sign of a deck cleaned by someone in a hurry with a domestic lance.
Hardwood decking (ipe, balau, oak)
Dense hardwoods take a clean well but mark easily if the lance is held close or static. We work at lower pressure with longer chemical dwell, then rinse. Hardwood usually comes back to a rich colour that shows properly once a decking oil is applied a few dry days later.
Composite and capped composite
Composite is cleaned with a dedicated detergent, soft brushing and a low-pressure rinse. High pressure damages the cap layer, leaves permanent lightened patches, and generally voids the warranty. Where boards have unsealed cut ends or ageing uncapped surfaces, we test a small area first.
Grooved boards, steps and balustrades
Grooves hold the majority of the growth on a reeded deck, so they are worked individually rather than swept over. Steps get extra attention because they are where slips happen, and balustrades, handrails and posts are cleaned with soft chemistry so paint and stain finishes are not stripped.
Every job is quoted in writing before any work begins. Send your postcode and a photo of the deck and we'll come back with a fixed price, usually within 24 hours.
Often booked together
Book your decking cleaning.
Get your free estimate today.
Send your postcode and a photo of the job. We'll reply with a clear, written price — no obligation, no hard sell.
- Public liability insurance up to £5 million
- Written quote by reply
Request your free estimate
Free, fixed-price written quote by reply.