How To Handle Mold & Mildew Under Your Deck

Ask The Carpenter: Removing Algae From A Composite Deck

For ice removal, most products containing calcium chloride can be used without damage to the deck or porch surface. These products may leave a white residue which can be cleaned using the cleaning guidelines in the previous pages.

Hire A Deck Builder

1500psi is the recommended maximum for TimberTech products. A fan tip nozzle should be used along with the proper cleaning product. Spray in the direction of the brush/grain pattern to avoid damaging your decking. Use caution not to damage the material and always take the proper safety precautions when operating a power washer. Do not use a pressure washer higher than 1,500 PSI or spray any closer than 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) from the surface when cleaning Trex products. If you use higher PSI or spray closer than the required limit, you could cause irreversible damage to the deck and void your warranty. A basic car/rv/boat biodegradable soap is best because they are generally designed to come into contact with plastic and metal without damaging.

Keeping the pressure washer under 800 psi, wash off the cleaner by going along the grain. Maintain a distance of at least 8 to 10 inches from the surface of your deck, and make sure to keep your spray moving. Clean stains.The debris and furniture may have left stains behind, which you will want to remove. Clean these stains using whichever cleaner is most appropriate for your decking. 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.

Always read and follow the product manufacturers’ specific instructions before using any cleaning product on your deck or porch. It is also a good idea to test any product on a scrap piece or inconspicuous area of the deck or porch to make sure it does not harm the surface. I just came back from Home Central in Vestal, NY and they had small deck displays outside with three of the TT lines being demonstrated. Even their demo of the lower end basic grey materials were rich with the mold spots - I would definately not want to deal with that. The Earthwood deck sample either didn't have any of the molding spots at all, or it was much less visible. The Earthwood looked pretty nice both dry and wet (it had rained and some of the boards got wet and others didn't). Some of the other mfgs boards only looked good in the wet locations where the colors seemed much richer whereas the dry sections looked really bleached out.

How To Remove Mold From Deck In 3 Simple Steps

Calcium-chloride is an example of a safe and effective compound you can use for melting ice on your decking. Sodium chloride rock salt should not be used for ice melting. The granules may leave permanent unsightly marks on the surface of your decking.

If there’s no rot, you can hire a professional to remove the mold and help restore your deck back to top condition. Once you treat the issue, take steps to prevent it by treating the deck every five years.

I am going to power wash it, to remove all of the unwanted elements. There is one place where the deck was damaged and a little chunk is missing, now there is mold growing in that little area. Michele, until the deck starts absorbing water, you may just have to clean it every so often. Composite decks made in the last 5-10 years may not need sealing for a long time.

It is always a good idea to check with your manufacturer for recommendations. For instance, TREX® Composite decking recommends UltraMean2 as an eco-friendly alternative to many of the other harsh “deck cleaners” on the market. A common misconception when dealing with a moldy deck is to use Chlorine Bleach to clean it. This is NOT a good idea.Click this link to read why you should never use Chlorine Bleach to clean a composite deck. Hello I plan on buying your products to help save my poor deck. The deck is really old probably closer to the 20 year mark.

Then in November, before the snow flies, I clean the deck again with Dawn and Clorox. After a long winter, it always looks very dirty, and I like to get it clean as soon as we can. Neither Corte-Clean, nor PCS can be used when it is still under 60 degrees. Power washing will enhance results when cleaning your TimberTech deck.

Pick up the food immediately and carry out a clean as soon as possible. A semi-annual clean removes the dirt and debris that has accumulated on your deck throughout the year. This regular cleaning cycle helps prevent stains and imperfections from forming. We had three decks made with trex just over six years ago and they now look a total mess. It looks nothing like the original color, and doesn't resemble wood at all. The top of the handrails are growing a green hairy substance that looks like grass, intermingled with black patches. I filled in a claim a couple of weeks ago with photos.

Always keep the deck surface dry and clean as much as you can. This prevents mold, mildew and stain problems. Recommended ice melts can also be used for getting rid of ice on a composite decking.

How do I order the Deck Cleaner and the Sealer? I have a twenty year old deck and would like to bring it to life again. The original color was Saddle, but some of the wood have faded. Would you recommend a power wash first or should I just use the cleaner.?

• Mold is much more pervasive on wood and uncapped decking products, so choosing a capped composite deck board is a smart first step.
• 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

The water does not quickly absorb when we spray the deck. We want to preserve the work we have just completed. We just want to put the proper sealer or top coat on. The deck gets a lot of use especially around the pool area. The first product we bought will not work because our deck does not absorb water when sprayed.

Apply Wet and Forget to your deck surfaces every 6-12 months as a mold preventative. Even if no mold is present, Wet and Forget will kill and prevent unseen mold spores from growing. It is safe to spray on top of most wood stains and sealers.