Composite decking

Neko · 06-14-2022, 01:51 PM

What is the best way to clean composite decking ?
Will a pressure washer damage the decking?

ishoot308 · 06-14-2022, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neko

What is the best way to clean composite decking ?
Will a pressure washer damage the decking?

If your decking has any wood fiber in it at all, I would not recommend pressure washing it. A scrub brush, soap and hose nozzle would be your safest bet.

If your decking is a solid PVC or some type of solid plastic, you can use a pressure washer with 1500 PSI or less for quick cleaning.

Dan

John Mercier · 06-14-2022, 02:52 PM

Hose only.

Soft bristle brush like you would use on your vehicle for areas that might need a bit more scrubbing action. You can use the same detergent that you would use on your vehicle if necessary... but rinse thoroughly.

Pressure washers create micro-abrasions on the various surfaces that will create more issues in the future. Unlike a wood deck, you will not be resurfacing with a stain/sealer.

Neko · 06-14-2022, 04:47 PM

I was thinking of using Mold Armor deck, fence, patio wash with a brush.
Would this be OK?

John Mercier · 06-14-2022, 05:58 PM

The directions on the Mold Armor will tell you to try it in an inconspicuous place.

But it shouldn't be needed. Mold cannot eat the PVC decks or on the Composite decks that have a ''cap''. On an older style of the uncapped composite, it would be the way to go.

The purpose of the cap on the modern composite decks is to lower the maintenance costs and effort.

You basically need to wash the deck about twice a year... once to remove pollen, and once to remove fall residue (leaves, etc). That ''dirt'' trapped in the ''grain'' of a composite cap is what the mold/moss will try to eat.

While washing them down, the manufacturers suggest to be on the lookout for anything that may signal a future problem.

Neko · 06-14-2022, 06:31 PM

Thank you both for your advise.

SAB1 · 06-14-2022, 08:34 PM

Typically I use Dawn in a pail of water. Tough stains a spray or two of Spray Nine does wonders. I good brush like mentioned above.

AC2717 · 06-15-2022, 08:43 AM

i used a 2700psi pressure washer with one of the circular power sprayer set ups you put on the end of the wand and move it around like a floor sander/buffer
works great and is real fast. I have the original composite decking made mostly out of wood fibers as well

this is the type of attachment i was talking about, there are many different makers out there
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tou...ntent=In-store

John Mercier · 06-15-2022, 09:39 AM

Dawn will work because it rinses easily and has very little residue.

Power washing the uncapped with micro-abrasion the material and make the reapplication of the latex stain work. This is the stain designed for uncapped composite decking.

DickR · 06-15-2022, 10:17 AM

This morning my grandson is washing down our deck, without use of anything but a hose and a wide soft-bristle push broom. That quickly loosens the accumulated tree debris and pine pollen.

Neko · 06-17-2022, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Mercier

Dawn will work because it rinses easily and has very little residue.

Power washing the uncapped with micro-abrasion the material and make the reapplication of the latex stain work. This is the stain designed for uncapped composite decking.

John, Dawn worked great Thanks

John Mercier · 06-17-2022, 06:03 PM

SAB1 mentioned the dish soap first.

I used to just sell people Simple Green, but I had an incident where the deck owner did not thoroughly rinse. The rail developed a green tinge were the product had dripped and the water evaporated. I was able to restore the white railings, but realized that best to use a low residue product.

06-14-2022, 01:51 PM	#1
Neko Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 102 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Composite decking What is the best way to clean composite decking ? Will a pressure washer damage the decking?

06-15-2022, 08:43 AM	#8
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,577 Thanks: 755 Thanked 355 Times in 267 Posts	i used a 2700psi pressure washer with one of the circular power sprayer set ups you put on the end of the wand and move it around like a floor sander/buffer works great and is real fast. I have the original composite decking made mostly out of wood fibers as well this is the type of attachment i was talking about, there are many different makers out there https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tou...ntent=In-store __________________ Capt. of the "No Worries"

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to ishoot308 For This Useful Post:
christo1 (06-14-2022), tummyman (06-14-2022)

06-14-2022, 02:52 PM	#3
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,394 Thanks: 3 Thanked 598 Times in 494 Posts	Hose only. Soft bristle brush like you would use on your vehicle for areas that might need a bit more scrubbing action. You can use the same detergent that you would use on your vehicle if necessary... but rinse thoroughly. Pressure washers create micro-abrasions on the various surfaces that will create more issues in the future. Unlike a wood deck, you will not be resurfacing with a stain/sealer.

06-14-2022, 04:47 PM	#4
Neko Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 102 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	I was thinking of using Mold Armor deck, fence, patio wash with a brush. Would this be OK?

06-14-2022, 05:58 PM	#5
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,394 Thanks: 3 Thanked 598 Times in 494 Posts	The directions on the Mold Armor will tell you to try it in an inconspicuous place. But it shouldn't be needed. Mold cannot eat the PVC decks or on the Composite decks that have a ''cap''. On an older style of the uncapped composite, it would be the way to go. The purpose of the cap on the modern composite decks is to lower the maintenance costs and effort. You basically need to wash the deck about twice a year... once to remove pollen, and once to remove fall residue (leaves, etc). That ''dirt'' trapped in the ''grain'' of a composite cap is what the mold/moss will try to eat. While washing them down, the manufacturers suggest to be on the lookout for anything that may signal a future problem.

06-14-2022, 06:31 PM	#6
Neko Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 102 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Thank you both for your advise.

06-14-2022, 08:34 PM	#7
SAB1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Tuftonboro Posts: 1,230 Thanks: 190 Thanked 320 Times in 235 Posts	Typically I use Dawn in a pail of water. Tough stains a spray or two of Spray Nine does wonders. I good brush like mentioned above.

06-15-2022, 09:39 AM	#9
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,394 Thanks: 3 Thanked 598 Times in 494 Posts	Dawn will work because it rinses easily and has very little residue. Power washing the uncapped with micro-abrasion the material and make the reapplication of the latex stain work. This is the stain designed for uncapped composite decking.

06-15-2022, 10:17 AM	#10
DickR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 751 Thanks: 4 Thanked 259 Times in 171 Posts	This morning my grandson is washing down our deck, without use of anything but a hose and a wide soft-bristle push broom. That quickly loosens the accumulated tree debris and pine pollen.

06-17-2022, 06:03 PM	#12
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,394 Thanks: 3 Thanked 598 Times in 494 Posts	SAB1 mentioned the dish soap first. I used to just sell people Simple Green, but I had an incident where the deck owner did not thoroughly rinse. The rail developed a green tinge were the product had dripped and the water evaporated. I was able to restore the white railings, but realized that best to use a low residue product.