Composite decks were supposed to be
maintenance free and last forever, that's why everybody spent the extra
money on composite decking instead of a traditional wood deck.
Now it seems that we been "had" , they do
get dirty, mold spots show up all over the deck like a case of the
measles and anything that drips or spills on the deck, like sun tan
lotion, grease, food, food condiments, etc leaves a stain that doesn't
wipe off.
What is composite decking? Composite
decking is nothing more than compressed wood pulp (saw dust) which is
usually mixed with recycled plastic to give it some stability.
How can it get so dirty? Mold needs an
organic food source to survive and the wood pulp serves that purpose, so
mold will grow on composite decking just as it would on a wood deck. If
you have ever seen how cardboard absorbs a drip of oil, you will
understand how composite decking absorbs spills, it goes in beneath the
surface but still it is visible and that is what makes cleaning tough.
Sodium percarbonate based cleaners are
highly effective because when mixed with water they created a bubbling
action much like "alka-seltzer" and when applied to composite decking
these bubbles will actually dissolve and lift any organic material to
the surface which can be easily cleaned off.
Cleaning is simple, apply the mixture
to the affected area of the deck, allow it 15 minutes to penetrate and
to start breaking up the stains, while the area is still wet take a deck
scrub brush and in circular motions scrub the spots out, when cleaning
is complete rinse the area well with water. A pressure washer may be
substituted for the scrub brush, but light pressure, max 1,000 psi, is
all that is needed.
The key, when cleaning is to clean
small sections at a time and always keep that area wet with the mixture
while scrubbing, if the area dries before the cleaning is complete the
organic matter could settle back below the surface and the process would
have to begin again.
Sodium percarbonate is also a great
product to use to prevent mold, simply apply a coat to your deck in the
spring and fall and this will break up and dissolve any organic matter
that is starting to make your deck it' new home and food source.
Not all Sodium percarbonate based
products are made of the same quality ingredients, strengths vary from
10 to 90% and there are additives necessary to take the sodium
percarbonate mixture below the surface of the composite decking, without
these additives the sodium percarbonate will only clean what sits on the
top of the decking. The right formulation will be the difference in how
clean your deck will come out.
