CARE AND MAINTENANCE FOR FIBERON DECKING AND RAILING
GET READY TO ENJOY YEARS OF EASY OUTDOOR LIVING Fiberon composite decking and railing is designed to be long lasting and low maintenance. Of course, life happens. Use this guide to help you manage the occasional mess or mishap.
GENERAL CARE AND MAINTENANCE DIRT AND GRIME In most cases, an occasional soap and water cleaning is all that is needed to keep your Fiberon decking looking like new. For best results, use the following: º º A pump sprayer º º Mild household cleaner or composite decking cleaner º º Non-metal scrub brush (with extension handle, if possible). A NOTE ABOUT PRESSURE WASHERS: Used incorrectly, pressure washers can damage your decking. Exercise extreme caution with pressure washers.
1 Remove the grill, furniture, and other items from the deck. 2 Sweep the surface or use a blower to remove loose debris such as leaves. 3 Clean debris from the spaces between boards to ensure proper drainage. If the gap between decking boards is less than 3/16 inch (4.8 mm), organic debris such as leaves, seeds, or pollen can settle on the deck and clog gaps. Water can pool, steeping organic debris. This will result in a “tea” or tannin which could stain your decking.
Before applying the cleaner, review instruction for the particular product you are using. 6 Using a sprayer, apply the cleaner onto the dry deck. Do not let the product dry on the boards. Work in small sections and always keep the decking wet during the cleaning process. 7 Gently scrub the surface of the deck with an appropriate nonmetal brush. For tougher stains, allow cleaner to sit for 10-15 minutes, but continue to wet down the decking while you wait.
OIL AND GREASE º º Speedy clean-up is best. For grease and oil stains that soap and water cannot remove, an all-purpose cleaner such as Fantastik should do the trick. Or, use a commercial deck cleaner designed specifically for your type of decking. º º De-Solv-It Citrus Solution is effective in removing tar, asphalt, oil, grease, and chewing gum. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and test in an inconspicuous area prior to cleaning the entire deck.
TIPS FOR SNOW REMOVAL: ºº A leaf blower or broom should easily clear a light dusting of snow. ºº Never use metal shovels or sharp-edge tools when removing snow or ice from your composite or PVC deck. Even the most resilient boards could be scratched or gouged. ºº Plastic shovels or plastic/nylon bristled deck brooms will remove snow from the deck as well as limit the risk of scratches to the deck surface. ºº When clearing snow, always shovel in a path parallel to the deck boards, not perpendicular.
CONSTR UCTION MATERIALS Construction Chalk Colored chalk used in construction for marking straight lines prior to cutting is permanent on most surfaces. Contact the specific chalk manufacturer for a cleaning solution that may prove effective. The best advice is to avoid colored chalk. Instead, use a workable alternative such as white chalk or baby powder.
RAILING For general cleaning, use mild soap and water or Fantastik ® spray cleaner. For white railing only, you may also use Mr. Clean ® Magic Erasers. For deeper cleaning, or to remove any oxidation, we recommend DeckMAX ® PVC Revitalizing Wipes.
S P E C I A L C O N S I D E R AT I O N S FIRE AND POTENTIAL HEAT SOURCES Composite decking will retain heat when exposed to direct or reflective sunlight. Exercise caution if walking barefoot. Footwear may be required. Heat build-up from external sources could possibly damage Fiberon decking surfaces. Examples would include reflected light from different types of glass (ex. low-e glass), fire features, and under-deck waterproofing installations that do not provide the 1.
R UBBER MATS Welcome mats or grill mats with a rubber, vinyl or latex backing can mark your deck. The marks can be removed; however, we recommend using high-quality polypropylene or colorfast woven rugs to avoid the problem. Flower pots can also create potential problems. When pots, trays, etc., sit directly on the deck surface, moisture can get trapped. Over time, minerals and fertilizer/plant food can build up and result in a white discoloration on the boards.
FIBERON PARAMOUNT PVC DECKING º º Recommended cleaners for Paramount PVC Decking include Simple Green, Krud Kutter Cleaner Degreaser and DeckMAX ® PVC Revitalizing Wipes. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and test in an inconspicuous area prior to using on the deck surface. º º Certain chemical ingredients in insect repellents and sunblock could cause a reaction and leave a stain on the decking surface. Do not apply these products while standing on the deck.
