How To Clean Composite Decks

Cleaning composite decks is a person of consequence more property owners are focusing on this vernal season. Most consumers who opted for composite lumber for their decks did so with the idea that it would be maintenance-free and free from the kind of aging problems (warping, cracking, splitting, etc) that are often seen with pressure-treated lumber. Hindsight is always 20-20, as the old saying goes. Unfortunately today’s consumers are realizing that no wood or wood product exposed to weather is going to be completely maintenance-free. Even exotic woods like Ipé require periodic cleaning and sealing as the natural oils within the wood dry out. All exterior lumber used in deck interpretation should be maintained every year to defend it from the elements and ground in dirt. ! Composite lumber varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but it appears that all of the popular ones contain wood particles (these ground particles are called "wood flour" by the industry). That means that any of these particles on or near the surface of the entertainment, no cause of distress what they are mixed with, will react to Mother Nature the same way all wood does. Graying and staining are common problems - and the stuff of nightmares for deck owners. Manufacturers are getting calls every day from end users about these issues, and deck reparation contractors are stepping in with the fix.

Cleaning composite decks is important to keep the material looking its best. Properly cleaning composite decks should be done with a composite deck cleaner that is designed specifically for these unique materials. Some manufacturers have suggested using bleach or oxygenated bleach to clean the wood, but the results have been varied. Most pressure washing contractors who do ! deck restoration are finding through products made especially ! for this riddle, such as Flood’s Composite Wood Cleaner. The key to this particular product is in the surfactants and cleaning chemicals in its model.

This guide will give you the basic steps that should be used to get the best results when cleaning composite deck materials.

Preparing the composite deck:

Sweep debris like leaves, twigs and dirt off the deck first. Then rinse off the composite lumber to cool it off and change place heavy built up deposits of dirt and mud. Rinsing off the composite deck before anything else will cool the surface and prevent the possibility of flash drying the composite cleaner when it’s applied. Also wet down plants and grass around the deck and if necessary, Cover plants, grass, concrete and any other areas you don’t want the composite cleaner getting on.

Remove any stains on composite decks first!

Use oxalic, citric or phosphoric acid-based cleaners to remove rust stains from metal furniture. These wil! l also help remove leaf stains.

Use commercial degreasers containing propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, and various detergents for removing grease and oil stains.

Spot removers or mineral spirits may be used carefully on persistent grease or oil stains but should be washed off post-haste with water, as it can damage the grain pattern. Spot removers normally include mineral pitch distillates, xylene, methanol, acetone, or other organic solvents. Use caution if the composite lumber has embedded color, as some solvents may affect the appearance. As always, test your cleaner on an inconspicuous spot.

To remove light mildew wash your composite deck periodically with a cleaner that contains or is mixed with Sodium Hypochlorite.

The cleaning process:

Apply your composite deck cleaner on the railings and floor in manageable sections. Cleaning too wide of an area at a time may allow the composite cleaner to dry on the surface which can cause discolorat! ion in some materials. Once the composite cleaner has sat on t! he surfa ce according to the directions, carefully power wash the surface in the direction of the grain, using less than 800 PSI. Use the character impressed washer to "rinse" the . Avoid holding the nozzle too close to the composite surface or holding it in any one spot too long. Hold the pressure wand about 8" away from the surface and "sweep" it off in a rinsing motion. Use a "golf swing" motion, and avoid washing each square inch of the surface. Keep the wand moving smoothly over the surface to avoid leaving marks. Proper technique determines the results, so take some time to practice when you are able to. Once you have completed that section, treat the next area and continue until the job is completed.

For regular maintenance, rinse off your composite deck periodically with a hose. Even if your deck appears clean, it is important to interrupt build-up of pollen and other debris. Mildew stains may occur where moisture, pollens, and/or dirt are present. Mildew necessarily a ! food source to grow, which can be grass, pollens, dirt, debris, wood and wood resins.

To repair scratches, nicks, cuts and grooves in most compounded decking stuffs you can try using a wire brush. Brushing will need to be consistent with the grain of the composite material and the brushed area will weather back in approximately 8-10 weeks. Make sure you try this in a hidden area first! Some materials could become discolored or damaged from wire brushing.

High-pressure lavation of composite decks is not necessary or advisable. Instead, hire a properly trained pressure washing company to do it correctly and safely. Or if you must do it yourself, use the proper-strength composite lumber cleaners to do all the work for you. Then you RINSE using your distress-washer. Doing it the right way means using your pressure washer to agitate slightly with MODERATE pressure and HIGH get water volume. Use the pressure washer responsibly. Too much pressure on the surface of comp! osite lumber can cause damages.

Peter Marentay, Owner of! Sun Bri te Inc. http://www.sunbritesupply.com a pressure washer and Pressure washing supply company

Mr. Marentay joined Sun Brite Inc. in 1998 and this moment created a new division of the company - Sun Brite Supply. Since that time, SBS has become one of the fastest growing suppliers of specialty products to the pressure washing assiduity.

Pete co-authored the Power Washers of North America Wood Certification course and is currently an Advisory Director of PWNA. He is a PWNA Certified Instructor. PWNA Certification is beneficial for those interested at the end of the class.

Pete has stretched this 4-day hands-on since 1999. The important focus of this 4-day course is Profitability.

Toll-free 1-877-5-SUPPLY or 1-877-578-7759
Phone (770) 277-9924
Fax (770) 277-1612
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Lawrenceville, Georgia 30045

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