How To Clean A Composite Or Wood Deck

Step 2: Spray With Soapy Water & Scrub

Store decking on a flat level surface and always use proper supports , Do not store directly on the ground. All food spills should be removed as soon as possible. The surface must be cleaned within seven days to maintain the stain warranty.

Premixed Vs Concentrated Deck Cleaners

This should be done prior to applying a cleaner or brightener. 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. If using a pressure washer, avoid using a maximum pressure setting, as too much force can damage the surface.

Can I Seal Composite Decking?

"Pressure washing is also a good idea from time to time to remove built-up dirt and debris. If you choose to scrub the deck clean, choose a deck brush with natural or plastic bristles.

• Instead, clean with warm, soapy water as noted above.
• Often, the only maintenance composite decking requires is an occasional power washing.
• 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.
• 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.

Composite decking requires a little extra attention when cleaning. Regular cleaning of dirt and debris can easily be done with a household broom or a garden hose.

Ways To Damage Your Composite Deck

Like any other wood-based product, TimberTech’s wood-polymer composite products may experience a naturally occurring process called Extractive Bleeding/Tannins. This process may cause temporary discoloration that will weather away with exposure to flushing rainfall and UV. In most cases, the weathering process takes 8-10 weeks but could vary depending on location and specific product application such as a covered porch. Tannins may also be cleaned by utilizing the cleaners referenced for Basic Cleaning Recommendations for ReliaBoard and DockSider. In this instance, rinse the coating immediately after using the cleaning product. Note that composite deck cleaners such as Corte Clean, Thompson’s Water Seal-Oxy Action, Olympic Deck Cleaner, or other cleaners specified as composite deck cleaners, in powder or liquid form. The capping is a polymer and not a wood/plastic composite.

This will allow the air to pass between the boards helping to keep the underside nice and dry. Allow the deck to dry.Let the deck dry for several days, and then see if any stains haven’t been cleaned away.

Wet wood is more likely to gouge, and placing heavy objects on wet wood increases the risk of mold. Take care of getting rid of moss or moldy spots by first mixing the oxygen bleach and hot water inside a large bucket.

How To Avoid Mold And Mildew Growth

If you’re not sure about how to clean a particular stain, test the cleaner out on a part of the deck that is not visible. Use a plastic shovel.When shoveling snow on your composite decking, make sure that your shovel has a plastic blade, which will minimize the chance of scratching the surface of your deck. However, even some shovels made of plastic, especially ones with a hard metal blade on the edge, can cause damage to the protective shell found on certain composites and will void your warranty. Remember - composite materials clean easier and better than the traditional wood deck, and using the soap-and-water method in chapter 1 removes most of the dirt and stains. The best way to get rid of pollen completely from composite decking is to power wash your deck.

How To Clean A Roof Safely, Effectively And Without Bleach

We recommend using the Quickie® Bulldozer Deck Scrub Brush or a medium stiffness nylon bristle deck brush. These can be found at most large retail home centers or online. Do not use a stiff, natural fiber deck brush on TimberTech Decking as they can dull the surface. Utilizing the recommended products in this guide is important to make care and cleaning easier and to ensure the use of products that have been tested to be compatible with your new deck. Always read and follow the product manufacturer’s specific instructions before using any product on your TimberTech deck. Although TimberTech products are low-maintenance, we recommend periodic cleaning to help maintain the beauty of the product.