Deck Cleaning

Composite decking is a great alternative to wood decking. And because synthetic decks are made with wood plastic composite material, you need to take precaution when clearing off snow and ice during the winter season.

Here are three key tips for cleaning off snow and ice from your Latitudes composite deck:

• Shovel all loose snow off with a plastic shovel. Shovel parallel with the grain. Make sure there is NOT a metal blade at the end of the shovel as it could scratch the surface.
• After the snow is gone, spread rock salt or calcium chloride over the deck surface and wait for the ice to melt; then simply shovel away using a plastic shovel. Never chop at the ice as it may gouge the surface.
• Once the weather is consistently above freezing, rinse off the deck surface and lightly broom off remaining salt residue.

Just as wood decking materials can get marred or gouged, composite deck surfaces can be scratched just the same. If scratched, I recommend allowing normal wear marks to fade, as they will blend in with the weathered color over time.

I am not aware of any adverse effects from the temporary use of ice melting products on Latitudes and other composite decking brands; however, I recommend using an ice melt product that has a less harsh effect on the surface. These types of ice melt products may indicate "will not harm concrete" or "will not kill grass" on the packaging. Be sure to brush off any residual ice melt product after the ice and snow melts.

Mold and mildew can be a nuisance on any exterior building surface, regardless of the material. If the conditions are right, they will spawn on wood, plastic, concrete, metal and other surfaces. Mold formation is most prevalent in consistently wet, shaded areas. Spores from the natural environment are carried by the wind and commonly land on decks surfaces. It is important to note that the appearance of mold and mildew is a function of nature, not necessarily a deficiency with any of the material on which it grows.

Deck Cleaning
Periodic washing with soap/detergent and water will help remove surface dirt. This will also help prevent the buildup of pollen, debris and spores that can cause and accelerate mold/mildew growth (it also helps to remove deck mold). Caution: A pressure washer should not be used to “blast” mold/mildew or soils from a deck surface. The abrasive nature of the water stream can potentially damage the material by driving the spores into the material, which may create a morechallenging problem to remediate. A pressure washer with a fan-tipped nozzle should be used only to lightly wet or rinse wood or composite deck surfaces. 

There are many deck wash and exterior cleaning products available at retail. It is important to make sure you use a cleaner specifically intended for your application. After selecting a product, be certain to read, understand and follow all instructions supplied by the manufacturer. Some cleaning products and inhibitors may be more effective than others, depending on the environmental conditions your deck is subjected to. Additionally, it is always a good idea to test the cleaner in a small, inconspicuous area prior to applying it to the entire deck.

Mold Inhibitors
As with deck washes, there are several mold-inhibitor products available from paint stores, hardware stores, online outlets and home centers to help prevent long-term mold/mildew growth. For any product selected, be certain to read, understand and follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer. Depending upon the environmental factors affecting your composite lumber or treated wood deck, some preventive cleaning products may be more effective than others. It may be necessary to try more than one product. For ongoing preventive maintenance, follow the manufacturer’s recommendation.

If you're thinking about having a new dock built or are about to replace an existing dock, then consider two popular types of decking material—natural lumber decking and composite lumber decking. Each type of dock / deck building material has it's own unique benefits, and each has passed the test of time in unforgiving elements.

 

Natural Lumber Decking

Pressure-treated wood decking is a great option for a tighter budget. The classic look of wood gives a more rustic feel, and can be stained or painted to match virtually any color scheme. Pressure-treated decking can be notched for installation of hidden deck fasteners for a clean, fastener-free appearance.

Tropical hardwood has a highly desired exotic look and is very durable. Hardwood species like Ipe have been known to last over twenty years. Tropical decking like Abaco can span greater distances to accommodate wide 24" on center joist spacing. Some hardwood decking comes pre-grooved for use with a hidden fastener system.

 

Composite Lumber Decking

Composite decking is manufactured from wood fiber and plastic to form a plank that requires less maintenance and typically has a longer lifespan than natural wood decking. Composite lumber is similar in cost to tropical hardwood and has many of the same benefits. Like tropical hardwood, Latitudes Marine composite decking allows for long 24" on-center joist spans. Latitudes Marine also incorporates a profiled edge specifically designed for docks, boardwalks and walkways. Additional benefits of composite lumber decking is that it's barefoot friendly, slip-resistant and comes in a variety of colors that never need to be sealed or stained.

 

Whether cleaning pressure treated wood decking or synthetic / composite decking material, many of the same cleaning agents are effective on both surface types.

Many deck wash/cleaners contain sodium percarbonate and a detergent, which works well on normal dirt and grime and bleaches out mold and mildew stains. An oxygen bleach-based formula is another great alternative. It's effective in removing mildew stains and the weathered grey residue from UV (sunlight) degradation. Both cleaners are environmentally safe and will not harm plants or animals, damage wood's cell structure or leave a bleached-out look.

Oxalic acid cleaners are effective on rust stains left from metal furniture.

Commercial degreasers contain propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, and various detergents for removing grease and oil stains.

Spot removers/thinners can be used sparingly on particularly stubborn grease or oil stains, but should be washed off quickly with water as they will attack the grain pattern. These normally include petroleum distillates, xylene, methanol, acetone, or other organic solvents.

Since composite wood decking is low maintenance, periodic washing with soap and water will remove surface dirt and chalk that accumulate on the composite deck surface. This will also prevent the buildup of pollen and debris that can cause mold and mildew growth.

Pressure washers (with fan-tip nozzle) should be used for wetting and rinsing only. Pressure washers should not be used to “blast off” soiling agents; attempting to do so can drive the dirt deeper into the composite deck boards. In most cases, applying the cleaning agent with a pump sprayer and scrubbing thoroughly with a synthetic brush will clean the surface.

Grime, Ground-in Dirt, Rust
In most cases, soap and water will maintain the appearance of composite decking material. If grime, ground-in dirt or rust marks become a problem, use a cleaning product with an oxalic acid base. Do not use bleach, abrasive cleansers or pads when cleaning.

Mold
Mold may form on any surface where moisture is prevalent, where there is heavy shading, or where pollen and debris are allowed to collect. To remove mold, use conventional deck washers or cleaners that contain sodium percarbonate and detergent. These cleaners can be found at most home centers.

Cleaning a pressure treated wood deck properly is pretty simple, but make sure you follow the basic steps outlined below. Following these steps will ensure the surface is cleaned properly to help bring out the natural beauty of the wood.

Maintain a healthy looking deck by cleaning and sealing it periodically will defend the surface against the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays, water from snow, rain and dew. This is especially true with untreated wood.

Tools and chemicals used to clean a wood deck include:
• Broom
• Hose with spray nozzle
• Power washer (wide fan nozzle-40 to 60 degree tip)
• Stiff bristle brush (synthetic)
• Pump-up sprayer
• Cleaner/brightener solution (environmentally friendly oxygen bleach)

Step 1: Thoroughly sweep the deck of any surface debris
Step 2: Wet the deck with a hose or pressure washer
Step 3: Add cleaner/brightener to the entire surface with a pump-up sprayer or a power washer with chemical feed
Step 4: Thoroughly scrub in the cleaner/brightener to the deck surface
(be sure to include posts and handrails)
Step 5: Keep the deck moist by spraying a mist of water when needed (do not let the cleaning chemical dry).
Step 6: Allow the cleaner to sit/work for a short period of time or per the chemical manufacturer's instructions.
Step 7: Thoroughly rinse the deck with a hose or power washer by working your way away from the house. CAUTION: if rinsing with a power washer, keep the setting low and the fan-tipped nozzle at a safe distance from the deck surface. Using the wrong nozzle, setting or rinsing to close to the wood decking surface will cause the wood fiber to rise up, effectively destroying the surface.

The pressure washer is a great tool to remove embedded dirt and other contaminants, but excessive force on the wood will damage the surface. Let the chemical cleaner do most of the work in removing the soil.

Step 8 (Optional): If your deck attracts mold/mildew, apply an inhibitor with a pump-up sprayer as the final step. Brush in liberally with a stiff, synthetic bristle brush, making sure the entire surface is covered.

If sealing or staining your deck after cleaning, it’s important to let the wood dry for a few days so the chemical can be absorbed into the wood.

To keep your wood deck looking newer longer, periodically wash the dirt off the surface to keep leaves and debris from building up. In my next post, I will discuss care and cleaning for composite wood decking.

Decks are a wonderful place to entertain family and friends. They provide added 
outdoor living space and can increase the value of your property. Maintaining your treated wood deck will save you money in the long run. And having your deck cleaned periodically is very important to its beauty and longevity.

Some wood decks need to be cleaned more often than others. If your treated deck is in a shady area under trees, where mildew and mold are know to thrive, you’ll probably need to clean it once a year. If you do encounter excessive mildew or mold on your deck, be sure to apply an inhibitor to help alleviate buildup.

If you prefer the look of a deck surface without exposed nails or screw-heads, then consider using a hidden fastener system. Using hidden deck fasteners is a great way to hide unsightly screw holes in both pressure treated decking and composite wood decking. These deck accessories can be used on virtually any type of decking material, from composite wood and pressure treated wood, to tropical hardwoods.

The most popular hidden fasteners are made of UV resistant plastic or metal. These hidden fasteners include Equator (made specifically for composite decking), TigerClaw, Eb-Ty and Lumber Loc.

With a hidden fastener system, you'll give your deck an extra clean touch without any visible blemishes like nail pops or mushrooms.