How To Clean Composite Decking

Mistakes To Avoid When Cleaning Your Composite Deck

Contrary to popular belief, chlorine bleach is not a great cleaner for a wood deck. Luckily, you can use powdered oxygen bleach to scrub down and clean your deck without damaging the deck's wood or any surrounding plantlife. Using the Wrong CleanerComposite decking can be quite porous, so it’s important to use the correct cleaner on your deck. Avoiding using any deck cleaner that has bleach in it as it can be extremely corrosive. Instead, use an oxygenated cleaner that can reach deep into the material and clean the inside of the deck as well as the outside. If you still have any mold or mildew left bleach and water or “60 Seconds” which is a more powerful bleach available at Lowes. Make sure you rinse well after the TSP before using the bleach products as they don’t mix well.

Taking Care Of Composite Decking Home Guides Sf Gate

A decking company recently contacted us for advice on how to prevent mold from growing under the deck. One of the biggest contributing factors to this problem is a simple step most people overlook during their regular cleaning – the gaps! Dirt and debris can build up over time collecting moisture providing the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. Depending on your climate, the gaps between your deck boards should be cleared out at least once a year. This will allow the air to pass between the boards helping to keep the underside nice and dry.

I’ve studied this very closely with a magnifying glass and believe it to be a manufacturing characteristic. It appears that the dark spots are areas where there is a higher concentration of the recycled colored plastic.

How To Power Wash Composite Decking

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Although cleaning with bleach does kill mold and mildew, it does nothing to eliminate mold spores, which is how mold and mildew stains start. A deck made of pressure-treated lumber require routine maintenance in order to preserve the life and look of the wood. A yearly cleaning and an application of stain or wood preservative are recommended every two to three years. A. You’re not the first consumer to write to me about this issue with composite decking, and I’m sure you won’t be the last. My own composite decking has spotting issues, algae growth and uneven coloration issues. Unfortunately, deck cleaners by Olympic don't come without some drawbacks. Olympic premium cleaner is a very aggressive deck cleaner.

How Long Do Composite Decks Last?

• One of the best ways to care for your deck is to clean it regularly - don’t let it get past the point of no return.
• Trex Decks can last a lifetime and will maintain their quality but sometimes they show their age.
• Chlorine Bleach has been proven to kill bacteria and viruses on non-porous surfaces, but has not been proven effective in killing mold from porous surfaces, such as composite decking.
• Another way of maintaining a clean composite deck is after the cleaning is complete to apply a water sealer made specifically for composite decking.
• The misconception exists that Chlorine Bleach will “kill it all”, but when it comes to mold, nothing could be further from the truth.

To prevent this, keep the surface of your deck as clean and dry as possible. Make sure your deck has effective drainage around its perimeter and between the deck planks. However, if the soap-and-water cleaning doesn’t remove a particular stain, don’t default to a chemical cleaner. Depending on the stain or cleaning issue you have, you may be tempted to apply a chemical cleaner to the stain to clean your deck. To avoid this damage, make sure you use a shovel with a plastic or rubber edge. This removes the snow safely without scraping or harming the deck’s surface.

Can I Use A Pressure Washer On My Composite Decking?

Water spots, also known as tannin stains, are normal occurrences on wood. Over time, you will likely start to notice some on your deck. Make sure the surface is completely dry and then apply a deck brightener product that contains oxalic acid on the surface of your deck. Address the oily stain as soon as you notice it; the longer it sits on the surface of your deck, the more difficult it will be to remove. Use a soft bristled brush and soapy water to scrub at the stain.

Make sure that all of the bleach solution is rinsed away before letting your deck air dry. Letting the suds sit on the deck will allow the oxygen bleach to absorb the dirt and algae on your deck. It's important that you don't let the solution thoroughly dry on the deck, or it can leave a film on the surface. Mix warm water and powdered oxygen bleach into a bucket. Pour 2 gallons (3.78 l) of warm water in a 5-gallon (18.92 l) bucket. Add 2 cups of powdered oxygen bleach and mix the solution together using the sponge or brush that you'll be using to scrub down your deck. Continue to mix the solution until the components are well incorporated.

Olympic's cleaner contains sodium hypochlorite, or bleach, and may lighten the color of your wood deck. Trex does not recommend the use of a pressure washer. The use of a pressure washer on deck surface could damage the decking surface and will void the warranty with respect to any condition caused by the pressure washing. Store decking on a flat level surface and always use proper supports , Do not store directly on the ground. If debris, such as pollen and dirt, is allowed to remain on the deck surface, mold can feed on the biofilm. Using a hose and warm, soapy water with a soft bristle brush is recommended to remove the food source and mold.