Care & Cleaning Of Decking Products
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Ask The Carpenter: Removing Algae From A Composite Deck
The decking needs to be cleaned at least 3 times per year to control the mold. We have had our trex for many years and it molds every year. You have to be very careful not to get to close or you will shred the decking. I like the product but would only use it if you have no shade. I went the same way, extruded aluminum and removed my TREX. There was nothing wrong with the Trex but it was not properly shielding the area below the deck from water penetration. Yes, it’s can be scratched with something that scratches but there is a touch-up kit that quickly repairs the surface.
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Light snow on a composite decking can safely be removed using a broom or a leaf blower. If you have a snow blower, you may be tempted to use but this will be a bad idea. A snow blower will definitely cut and damage your composite decking.
As far as the greasy spots I would try warm water and dishwashing liquid. I would stay away from the power washer as you may end up damaging the deck if you are not use to it. I'm beginning to believe that these products (not counting Corte Clean since we haven't been able to try it) are all focused on mildew and not on "deep cleaning". We're at the end of our first full season with a new TT deck and are starting the cleaning chore.
You would also want to apply a mold inhibitor to retard future growth. The porous nature of decking aids the process, as mold spores will settle into these pores and root. Once moisture, heat, and a food supply are introduced, the spores will bloom and create dark spots on the boards. Eventually this will spread across the deck. If the boards are not thoroughly cleaned of mold and its rooting, the mold will return -- especially if it is prevalent in the environment around the deck.
How To Remove Mold From Deck In 3 Simple Steps
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Composite catamaran hits high watermarks.
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It cleaned my Timbertech deck better than anything else I tried. Took the black mold spots out of my deck and they have not returned in months. Maintaining a clean, dry deck surface is the best method for combating mildew. Ensure that water drains effectively from your deck.
We had unexpected drizzle overnight and it didn’t penetrate. Is there any way to remove it or “reloosen†it. It did not do it to the whole deck, just an area about 6′ x 3. Use the cleaner first, then rinse with a power washer. Follow that with the brightener before you stain to get the best results. If the previous stains are still in tact, you may need to use our Stain Stripper instead of the cleaner. Glenn, if the composite deck is newer, you don’t want to seal it as the sealer won’t be able to penetrate.
If necessary, you may consider replacing individual boards. Using a solid stain will hide the fact that they are new boards.
These are the only products most contractors can get so of course they’re going to say they’re good. We purchased our current home, as new, nearly 18 years ago. It came with a deck that was made with early type (uncapped?) composite decking. The spindles and posts were also made of the same material. The home builder was so impressed by the product he wished that he had used it for the large deck, he had recently built, on his own home. I was excited about having something touted as being “maintenance free.†Over the years I have power washed it to keep the vegetation (moss? algae?) at bay.
Low weight on the high seas - CompositesWorld
Low weight on the high seas.
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Outdoors, mold plays an integral part in breaking down dead leaves, trees, and plant matter to go back into the ecosystem. However, that also means that wood decks and traditional composite boards are prime real estate to hungry mold spores. When a home inspector says, “Mold is eating away at the foundation of your deck,†they mean it literally — mold isn’t a cheap date. Left unchecked, mold can lead to structural damage. Thankfully, composite decking is easily cleaned with the soap-and-water method or basic power washing. 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. Calcium-chloride ice melts are usually safe for composite decking and our recommended solution.
The mold spots are particularly stubborn and appear to be below the surface and they are slightly visible after cleaning. The weep holes also have to be cleared of debris so the deck drains properly. This goes on from March to June as we have many trees in my area. I have used the JOMAX cleaner but will try some of the others mentioned.
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Will definitely not be spending any more dollars on a product that is defective and a company that will not stand behind it. Initially started with mildew and black mold. I wasn't able to clean it completely and the deck looked like the color was bleached out. In addition, the deck has a orange colored fungus looking growth. It not removed immediately and if allowed to dry, you need a putty knife to scrape it off.
Any suggestions on how I can make this visually pleasing, please advise. Once mold infiltrates a surface it only continues to spread if conditions are favorable.
- Mold is much more pervasive on wood and uncapped decking products, so choosing a capped composite deck board is a smart first step.
- “Cap†is a common industry term used to describe the protective outer layer that surrounds the wood-plastic core of the deck board.
- Both have been tested and perform very well in removing mold and mildew and retarding its return on our uncapped composite decking.
- There are steps you can take to minimize the likelihood of mold growth.
- At Fiberon, our patented cap layer is called PermaTech®, and it contains a special formulation of biocides, anti-oxidants, and other proprietary ingredients.
- Both are heavy duty, mildly alkaline, chlorinated mold and mildew removers/cleaners that are biodegradable once rinsed into the soil.
Care & Cleaning
Fiberon, trex, Timbertech composites are all horrible. Don’t be fooled by the contractors on here saying it’s not what it used to be. New names every year and ground breaking technology every year. Inside is wood fillers and recycled milk jugs, garbage bags etc. outside is a cheap “vinyl†capstock. It won’t cover any of it due to weather conditions.
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. The capping is a polymer and not a wood/plastic composite. I have just come in from cleaning a 1/3 of my deck and run out of steam.