Deck Maintenance

How To Clean Composite Decking

When dry the current light tan color becomes much closer to the original saddle when wet with water, so would my Defy sealed deck once dried be colored more like it is now when dry or wet? Another option I’d like to pursue is changing colors from the tan/cedar tones to a weathered gray. Does Defy offer a product to allow me to stain my composite deck, such as Defy Extreme or another product, and therefore change colors? Last question, I am replacing an older portion of wooden deck with Trex. Should I seal the new deck boards with clear Defy Sealer before installed and avoid the past issues of black mildew/algae build up or is it necessary with newer Trex composites? I really like what I read about your products. Simply scrub the solution into the decking one section at a time and rinse.

Decking & Railing Duos

I can see cracks in the surface, and I can see what I assume is black mold, We also have green moss popping up all over. I am going to power wash it, to remove all of the unwanted elements. There is one place where the deck was damaged and a little chunk is missing, now there is mold growing in that little area. Use the cleaner first, then rinse with a power washer. Follow that with the brightener before you stain to get the best results.

• Many of the composite companies use wood content in them as well.
• To maintain the beauty of your Trex® deck, a little care and cleaning goes a long way.
• Often, the only maintenance composite decking requires is an occasional power washing.
• All exterior building materials require cleaning and a Trex deck is no different.
• Composite decks on the other hand, offer a lower level of all-around maintenance – they won’t splinter and you don’t need to worry about periodic staining, painting or sealing projects.

The Composite Deck Cleaning Process

Wood decks are especially vulnerable to power washing, because the pressure exerted by the power washer can lead to splintering. If there is any area on the deck where the wood is already beginning to split apart, power washing it will exacerbate the problem and cause the split area to expand. While you may be tempted to wait until your next routine cleaning to remove the food, it should be done immediately or else staining might result. Make sure you're extra careful when pressure washing.This material is softer than natural wood and therefore can be etched more easily. Once it has been damaged, other issues such as chipping, sun damage and mold staining of the interior plastic can arise.

Buyers Guide: The Best Deck Cleaners

How To Extend The Life Of Your Deck

Composites should be cleaned the same way as a wooden deck to remove over 90% of the black stains. Bleach will take care of the mold and mildew and the oxalic acid brightener will neutralize the tannins stains. This is the main reason they lost their first lawsuit, because they were not completely honest with the public about the black stains. It was also recommended to them that even if they used 1% wood in their formula they should recommend sealing. They used about 50% red oak and did not recommend sealing. The issue was further compounded when folks started pressure washing the surfaces and removing the cream coating which further exposed the wood content leading to more black stains. This is when they came out with “pressure washing may void the warranty” as Rob alluded too.

Fiberon – This type of decking can be pressure washed at a foot distance or more with a wide fan-tip nozzle while moving in the direction of the grain. The manufacturer states that a pressure washer should not be used when mold or mildew are on the surface. That said, if you follow the recommended instructions for cleaning your composite deck, you can expect it to stay looking great for years. It's generally suggested that you use a power washer to clean a composite deck. Be sure to check with your deck's manufacturer or installer to determine the recommended tip to and pressure setting to use.

When it comes to semiannual cleaning and maintenance, the most important task is washing the deck to ensure the removal of mold and dirt that can build up and cause rotting. Although today’s composite decks are maintenance free in comparison to wood decks, owners should clean them with soap and water once or twice a year.

Power Washing Wood Decks

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.