How to Care for and Maintain Composite Decking

Most often made from a mixture of recycled wood fibers and plastic, composite decking is a very popular wood alternative material for building a deck. 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.

While composite decking does not need much work in the way of maintenance, you should still care for your deck. Doing so will help the material keep its like-new look longer. With that in mind, here are some tips for proper composite decking care and maintenance.

Composite decking is designed to resist water and the rot associated with wood decking. You should, however, still do what you can to minimize standing liquid like puddles. Since mold and mildew are common environmental conditions and require moisture, air and warm weather to grow, it’s best to reduce these things to protect your deck.

Don’t let rainwater runoff from your roof splash down on your composite decking. Make sure downspouts point elsewhere so the material doesn’t get excess exposure to moisture.

When air circulates under your composite decking, the material will dry faster. For this reason, make sure your deck has at least 6 inches of unobstructed airflow beneath it.

Dryers have to ventilate the heat coming off them to the outside of your house. Make sure the vent does not open near your deck, as the heat can raise the temperature of your material and promote organic decay. Not only that, but dryer vents may also spew out moist air.

If you use organic mulch in your backyard, avoid placing it on or against your deck. If you must put it under or around ytour deck you can always use inorganic mulch or gravel.

Don’t use rugs or welcome mats that have rubber backing – these products can trap moisture. Instead, use mats that have a woven back, as they will breathe better.

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. Make sure to complete these composite decking care and mainenance tasks whenever necessary (i.e., when dirt or debris builds up).

Leaves, grass, etc., can all get stuck in the gaps between your composite boards. If the debris gets wet, it may promote organic decay on your deck. Whenever you notice buildup, use a spatula or putty knife to get the leaves out. Afterward, you can spray the deck with a garden hose to make sure you rinse off anything you initially missed.

Sweeping your deck is easy to do and prevents debris from getting caught in gaps. Make sure to sweep regularly, especially during autumn when leaves fall en masse.

Whether from a flower pot or your shoes, dirt may build up on your deck over time. Also, winter might leave rock-salt, which was used to melt snow and ice, on your deck. To remove these kinds of debris, start by sweeping. If that doesn’t get rid of the dirt, grab a gentle scrub brush (do not use metal), water and mild soap. Scrub the dirt away then rinse the area.

Whenever you spill on your deck, clean it up right away, as this will help prevent stains. However, if you spot grease or grime on the material, wash it using a mild detergent meant to cut through oil.

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