Slipping on Ice on Trex Decking

Trex Decking

• Trex decking is a wood composite decking material, made from both wood and plastic fibers. Its wood and plastic fibers come from recycled sources, including plastic grocery bags and discarded wood pallets. The wood offers UV protection and the look of wood, while the plastic helps to protect the decking from rotting, splintering, cracking and moisture damage. Trex decking purportedly does not deteriorate due to weather exposure, and it offers good traction even when it's wet.

Prevention

• To prevent your Trex decking from becoming icy, pretreat it with a deicing product. These products are not thought to harm the decking surface, but you should still exercise caution. Apply a thin layer of the deicing product right before an ice storm. Use less corrosive deicers such as magnesium chloride or products marketed as safe for pets or not harmful to concrete or grass.

After the Storm

• After the storm, use a plastic shovel — not a metal one — to remove any snow or loose ice from the deck. Apply another thin layer of a mild deicing product to the deck. The ice should start to melt immediately after application. Shovel off the slushy pieces of ice and the deicer to avoid prolonged exposure to the chemicals in the deicer.

Other Tips

• On small Trex decks, cover the area with tarp or another waterproof material when a storm is expected to prevent ice formation. Magnesium chloride is effective at melting ice down to minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit, while rock salt melts ice only at temperatures between 16 and 20 degrees; check the product's label to determine at what temperature the chemicals work most effectively. If you do not have access to deicing products, sprinkle sand lightly over the decking to help with traction.