5 Ways To Damage Your Composite Deck

How To Clean Composite Decking

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.

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.

• 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

Note that while Star Brite is manufactured as a deck cleaning product for boats, it’s gentle formulation makes it a great choice for residential decks as well. The premixed liquid can be applied to a wet deck either with a pump sprayer or a soft deck brush. Even after you rinse it away, the cleaner leaves a microscopic layer of polymer protection to help repel stains and spills in the future. One gallon cleans and treats a deck up to 1,000 square feet. Composite decking is manufactured from wood byproducts and plastic, and it comes with an impermeable surface, designed to resist rotting and decay. Wood deck cleaners may be too harsh for composite decks, especially if they contain brightening ingredients, which can strip the sheen off decking, leaving a dull, unattractive look.

There are a few situations when it may be okay to use a power washer in your deck. Decks made of ASA, which is essentially a high-end capstock, tend to be a little more forgiving when power washed. Wood and composite decks can also sometimes be cleaned with a power washer, but only if you have a professional doing it. It’s also a bad idea to use a power washer on a composite deck because the power washer can actually take chips out of the composite material.

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.

But, the pressure washer cannot be greater than 3100 psi or it could damage the decking, which would void the Trex warranty. To clean with a pressure washer, first spray your deck with commercial pressure washer soap. (Buy some now on Amazon.) Next, scrub each board with a soft-bristle brush. Finally, rinse each board thoroughly, using a pressure washer fan tip that’s no closer than eight inches from the surface.

Keep the spray moving and don’t spray from too close to the deck. Trex Decks can last a lifetime and will maintain their quality but sometimes they show their age. One of the best ways to care for your deck is to clean it regularly - don’t let it get past the point of no return. Another way of maintaining a clean composite deck is after the cleaning is complete to apply a water sealer made specifically for composite decking. Some essential tips to remember with composite decks is never to use shovels or any sharp objects to remove snow and ice from the deck in the winter. Your deck design and building specialist is supremely knowledgeable about the product that they employ. Consequently, they can suggest the best snow melt products to use that will be safe for the decking materials.