Composite Decking Care And Maintenance

If you decide not to seal the deck, you will most likely need to plan on cleaning it again every year or so. For composite decking, don’t use a wood deck cleaner—rather, choose one specialized for composite lumber. If your deck is one of the high-performance product lines from Trex a gentle pressure washing without use of composite deck cleaner will work.

Preserve Your Deck

These products can trap moisture insidethe deck causing more issues in the long run. Choosing the right cleaner can literally make or break your deck. Although the surface looks solid, composite decking is actually quite porous. Therefore, it needs an oxygenated cleaner that can reach deep into the material and clean insidethe deck as well as the surface. When purchasing a cleaner, always check the label and NEVER use a Chlorine Bleach based “deck cleaner”. If the active ingredients read – Sodium Hypochlorite, it contains Bleach.

Buyers Guide: The Best Deck Cleaners

The cleaning process will work best if you initially select the right cleaner. I hate bleach because it kills plants and vegetation, and it’s terrible to work with. While it kills the mildew spores, it doesn’t necessarily remove them from the surface of the wood. Instead, I recommend using DEFY Composite Deck Cleaner. This cleaner is specifically formulated for cleaning composite decking, including Trex. A short video on how to properly use the cleaner can be viewed here.

Tips For Finding Safe And Durable Cheap Hair Vendors

I cannot emphasize enough how important this is for composite decking! Any decking material exposed to the outdoors is susceptible to mold/mildew growth especially in climates with higher humidity levels. Water left pooling on the surface or inside your deck can create problems such as mold/mildew growth, deck rot, and warping. The good news is that mold can be prevented with a simple but consistent application of a moisture barrier. Once again, choosing the correct product is crucial to successfully protect your deck from mold. Beware of any “waterproofing” deck sealants or chemicals that “encapsulate” the deck.

When Is The Best Time To Clean Your Trex Composite Deck?

The best method for composite deck stain removal is to use the same method you would to remove mildew and mold from your deck. For tougher situations, applying a vinegar-water mix and sprinkling baking soda over the affected area should lift those stains. How do I order the Deck Cleaner and the Sealer? I have a twenty year old deck and would like to bring it to life again. The original color was Saddle, but some of the wood have faded.

We try not to play favorites with our products but there’s no denying that Spray & Clean is one of our stars. We’re going to start with this product which you can buy at WashSafe.com. Fortunately, getting rid of these types of stains involves only one remediation method.

• Once mold has stained these plastics, it can be extremely hard to remove.
• The cleaning process will work best if you initially select the right cleaner.
• In most cases, a garden hose should be sufficient for regular duty cleaning.
• Composite decking material is softer than natural wood and therefore can be “etched” more easily.
• Once the material has been “opened up”, this can lead to a host of other issues including chipping, sun damage, and mold staining of the plastics inside the opening.

Painted wood decks, often coordinated to match the trim on a home, come with special cleaning issues. Harsh cleaners can damage the painted surface, weakening it and leading to cracking and peeling. A gentle all-purpose deck cleaner that does not contain ammonia is usually the best choice for a painted wood deck. The label should specify the cleaner is safe for painted surfaces. The product may also contain surfactants to help stave off staining. Most painted deck cleaning products come premixed and should be sprayed or squirted on, mopped lightly to clean away dirt and grime, and then wiped dry with clean, soft rags.

How To Clean Trex Decking

Would you recommend a power wash first or should I just use the cleaner.? There are some stains that I would need to remove though. In addition to simply being easier to work with, there are two main advantages in selecting a water-based product.