The Deck Handbook, Part 5

Will the Defy deck cleaner likely get the black stains out of the composite deck pores that still remain? If the stains can be removed and I then apply the clear Defy sealer, what likely will be my deck color? When dry the current light tan color becomes much closer to the original saddle when wet with water, so would my Defy sealed deck once dried be colored more like it is now when dry or wet? Another option I’d like to pursue is changing colors from the tan/cedar tones to a weathered gray.

Seal The Deck

Avoid using bleach at all costs during cleaning. This is a common mistake many homeowners make. Bleach may be effective in killing mildew spores but it won’t eliminate them from the surface. Bleach will also kill vegetation and plants around the deck. Choose an environmentally safe product that doesn’t harm plants but is also effective in removing spores. The Defy Composite Deck Waterproofing Sealer’s water-based formula is much easier to work with compared to solvent-based.

Remove Dirt And Salt

• What’s more, composite decking comes in a variety of textures and colors that mimic different types of wood stains.
• This V.O.C.-compliant, water-based product is fortified with zinc nano-particles, a natural deterrent to recurring black algae stains.
• It’s long-lasting, won’t splinter, and requires minimal care and maintenance, which is good for homeowners who don’t want to spend a lot of time on upkeep.
• Although some capstock and plastic deck manufacturersNote 1 insist that their products do not fade, the empirical evidence is to the contrary.

The good news is that mold can be prevented with a simple but consistent application of a moisture barrier. Once again, choosing the correct product is crucial to successfully protect your deck from mold. Beware of any “waterproofing” deck sealants or chemicals that “encapsulate” the deck. These products can trap moisture insidethe deck causing more issues in the long run. Choosing the right cleaner can literally make or break your deck. Although the surface looks solid, composite decking is actually quite porous.

Composite Sealer Reviews In 2020

If you spill food, grease or oil on your deck, immediately clean the area with hot water. Any remaining stains should be cleaned with Pour-N-Restore, a commercial cleaner. By cleaning your deck on a regular basis, you can get rid of debris that may cause organic decay or staining. While composite decking resists stains, marks can still crop up if you don’t adequately care for the material. Simple Green Oxy Solve Deck and Fence Cleaner is ideal for both manual and pressure washing to lift and remove dirt and debris from the deck surface. The fast-acting foaming formula eliminates stains from mold and mildew, tree sap, pollen, oxidation, weathering and other grime. It utilizes the power of peroxide to provide high-performance cleaning without toxic or abrasive chemicals.

Defy Composite Deck Waterproofing Sealer is the sealer for the job. Trex is one of the ones I was talking about. I guess they got sick of paying for annual mold cleanings under warranty from the stuff they sold as "maintenance free". Ironic that plastic decks are just maintenance intensive as a wooden deck and you pay double for something that is, in my opinion, ugly. I'm sure it has to do with the copy cat cheap azz stuff that came out a couple years after the good stuff first came out.

Only apply as much deck sealer as the composite lumber can easily absorb. If you decide to not seal the deck, you will most likely need to clean it again every year or so. The reason why mildew grows on composite decking is simple. Follow these simple steps to clean mold on composite decking (cleaning Trex®). If your deck is constructed of older composite decking (installed prior to mid-2000), then you probably know what a big problem unsightly mildew growth has become.

The dark gray and black spots are mold and mildew growing on the boards. Every composite tested grew bumper crops of mold and mildew. Composite decks have serious advantages for homeowners as opposed to wood. When you choose to go with composite decks, it requires some care and maintenance from your end so that it will last you a long time while looking great. But that can only be achieved with the use of the right sealer. Look no further; Defy Composite Deck Waterproofing Sealer is the only one you’ll need. Protect your composite deck from water, UV rays, graying, mold, and mildew.

However, to keep your composite deck looking great and lasting you a long time, it needs sealing. Two elements it’s exposed to the most are water and sunlight, both of which are extremely damaging to wood over time.

Thompsons Waterseal Deck Sealer Transparent Waterproofing Stain Review

It’s long-lasting, won’t splinter, and requires minimal care and maintenance, which is good for homeowners who don’t want to spend a lot of time on upkeep. What’s more, composite decking comes in a variety of textures and colors that mimic different types of wood stains.

On the surface, composite materials look mighty un-"green" with lots of unpronounceable chemicals, some of which can be highly toxic. So, are you trading convenience for some sort of health or ecological disaster when you select composite decking materials? But, neither are composites especially environmentally friendly. Capstock deck boards, with their plastic shell, fade less than uncapped composite boards. Most will fade a little bit because the exposed material is plastic, the fading is minimal.

If You See Green, It's Time To Clean: Even Composite Decking Requires Regular Care

The cleaning process will go best if you select the right cleaner to begin with. I hate bleach because it kills plants and vegetation and it’s terrible to work with. It will kill the mildew spores, but doesn’t necessarily remove them from the surface of the wood. Routine cleaning and maintenance are required for both wood and composite decks. Composite manufacturers now admit that there are no "maintenance free" decking materials of any kind. Every decking material needs at least a periodic washing.

I would never use the product again and will probably tear it out in the near future and switch to a different product. I have two little boys with mold allergies and it can't be helping them. When I contacted Trex they were absolutely useless even though they acknowledged they have the problem with mold staining. They blamed the installation even though there were no installation instructions available to the contractor when it was installed a number of years ago. From what I understand it gets the mold spots regardless of how it was installed. The supplier who we purchased the boards from no longer carries Trex due to its poor performance. This condition can be decreased greatly with the use of a product call ACL Staticide®.

Before your first application, proper cleaning is critical. Make sure that you’ve already removed any stains, dirt, or mildew on the deck before application.