5 Ways To Damage Your Composite Deck

How To Clean Composite Decking

Bottom line, older TREX, TimberTech, and other wood content composites should be bleached and brightened. Please contact the manufacturer or read the literature that came with your decking if you have any doubts on power washing. A power washer can create serious damage to a composite deck if the pressure is too high, an inappropriate nozzle is used, and/or the nozzle is held too close to the surface. Always start in an inconspicuous area when power washing to test that it is not damaging the decking. The safest course will always be to hand wash your composite decking.

Decking & Railing Duos

Simple Green Oxy Solve Deck and Fence Cleaner is ideal for both manual and pressure washing to lift and remove dirt and debris from the deck surface. The fast-acting foaming formula eliminates stains from mold and mildew, tree sap, pollen, oxidation, weathering and other grime. It utilizes the power of peroxide to provide high-performance cleaning without toxic or abrasive chemicals.

• Once the material has been opened up, many issues can arise including chipping, sun damage, and mold staining the plastics inside the opening.
• Pressure washing too close or using too much pressure can ruin your deck.
• Composite decking material is softer than natural wood, meaning it can be “etched” more easily.
• Once mold has stained has occurred, it can be extremely hard to remove.
• In most cases, a garden hose is sufficient for regular cleaning.

The Composite Deck Cleaning Process

The best route to take is to hand wash it annually or semi-annually. If you opt to power or pressure wash the decking, you should start using a low psi, at 12 inches or more, with a wide fan-tip in an inconspicuous area. CertainTeed – A pressure washer can be used at 1,500 psi or less with a wide fan-tip at 12 inches or above. Do not pressure wash when mold or mildew are on the surface.

Pressure-Treated Lumber Supplies

How To Extend The Life Of Your Deck

Avoid this costly mistake by choosing a non-toxic, sodium percarbonate based cleaner. If this is the first time you have cleaned your deck it’s possible that there are deep set mold stains that the solution didn’t reach. They may rise to the surface at some point and need cleaning again.

Design & Price

It's best to use an oxygenated cleaner that will sink deep into the material to clean the lower layers as well as on the surface. All you need to make your natural composite deck cleaner is some soap, water, vinegar, and baking soda and a soft bristle brush to remove dirt, debris, and other grime.

Why is my deck turning black?

The biggest reason for a deck stain turning black is mildew. Mildew can begin to grow underneath the deck stain, which causes discoloring. This can also lead to rot and decay because if there is mildew there is also moisture present. Another reason your deck stain turned black can be from using an inferior stain.

For composite decking, most manufacturers don’t recommend anything more powerful than dish soap and water. If you’re cleaning a wooden deck, you might need something a little more powerful.

How much value does a composite deck add?

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Since composite decks require less maintenance and have longer lifespan than the other type of decks, it's more valuable compared to the others. Building a composite deck costs up to $15,900 and a recoup of $10,800. It means that the added value is up to 68%. Thus, many homeowners build composite decks to their homes.

To remove mold from older Trex products, the company recommends using a deck wash that includes detergent and sodium hypochlorite, commonly known as bleach. It specifically recommends Olympic Premium Deck Cleaner ($9.98 per gallon at Home Depot) and Expert Chemical’s Composite Deck Cleaner & Enhancer ($19.98 a gallon at expertchemicalinc.com). The cleaning process will go best if you select the right cleaner to begin with. I hate bleach because it kills plants and vegetation and it’s terrible to work with. It will kill the mildew spores, but doesn’t necessarily remove them from the surface of the wood.

Revive Your Old Deck with New Composite Decking - LaSalle News Tribune

Revive Your Old Deck with New Composite Decking.

Posted: Fri, 06 Mar 2020 08:00:00 GMT see it here [source]