Rhino Hide® 5 Mistakes To Avoid When Cleaning Your Composite Deck

Step 2: Spray With Soapy Water & Scrub

Was wondering if a Kilz coat would cover the spots and then it could be painted or stained. I installed a trex deck last year and had the black spots appear within a couple of months. So I went out and bought the corte clean that trex recommends but decided to do a precleaning with some Simple Green Heavy Duty I had laying around. Even with a very diluted mixture the deck came out like new with light scrubing. I will be returning the expensive Corte Clean because I dont believe that it could get much cleaner. Just an FYI though, my deck is less than a year old so Im not sure how well this stuff will work on a deck that has gone longer without cleaning. Just thought Id share my experience with all the other frustrated owners of trex out there.

Premixed Vs Concentrated Deck Cleaners

ReliaBoard and DockSider are composite products, and cleaning is NOT the same as for capped composite products such as TimberTech PRO and EDGE Collections. In preparation for cleaning you will need water for rinsing , the recommended deck brush with an extension handle, and TimberTech DeckCleaner. TimberTech DeckCleaner™ is formulated, field-tested, and approved for cleaning TimberTech AZEK® Deck or Porch, TimberTech PRO® Deck, TimberTech EDGE® Deck, and TimberTech Composite Rail. It is the best solution for seasonal cleanup, everyday spills, or stubborn spots. On average, one gallon diluted with one part cleaner to three parts water will clean approximately 1,000 square feet of surface area.

Can I Seal Composite Decking?

Sure, various products--tsp/bleach/commercial cleaners--will beat the mold back, but it returns with a vengeance. There are other synthetic products on the market that are less susceptible to discoloration and mold--check them out.

• It will make the problem worse and harder to remove the next time the composite surface becomes unsightly.
• In some cases, additional scrubbing with a deck brush may be required to remove stubborn stains.
• Because your deck is exposed to the elements every day, routine cleaning is needed to keep it looking great.
• The reason for this is that Chlorine Bleach does not remove or kill the roots of the fungus, but actually waters them.
• Composite decking has become an extremely popular material for outdoor decks.

For a deeper clean, always use a soft bristle scrub brush. Again, if you are using the right cleaner, less scrubbing will be required. For snow removal, choose a plastic shovel instead of metal. 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.

Ways To Damage Your Composite Deck

Using a hose and warm, soapy water with a soft bristle brush is recommended to remove the food source and mold. It really depends on the results your Composite Deck Cleaner can deliver. You don’t have to pressure wash a Trex Deck with Spray and Clean Deck Cleaner. This product was made to clean decks with a simple garden pump sprayer which can save you the cost of renting a pressure washer. The first step in your composite decking care and maintenance routine, is to stay away from certain household chemicals that a natural wood deck requires to stay looking new. Some of these harsher chemicals can damage the composite material, and no one wants to do more harm than good to their deck.

Use a deck brightener than contains oxalic acid on tannin stains. 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.

Removing Stains

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.

With wooden furniture, a stain finish or polish will take care of most of the cleaning. Make sure that all pigment is mixed evenly into the stain. Apply one coat of Composite Deck Finish following label directions. After 30 minutes, brush or roll out any excess product puddled or pooled on the surface of the deck. If excess product is not removed, sticky, shiny spots may remain on the surface. Paint or cementitious materials are very difficult to remove. Make sure to cover the deck adequately prior to beginning any siding or roofing work adjacent to the surface of the deck.

How To Clean A Roof Safely, Effectively And Without Bleach

It is crucial to know how to properly care for a composite deck and taking the right steps will make all the difference. Shovels with a metal cutting edge nick, cut, and damage the composite decking.