Use and Care Manual

Care and Maintenance
For Fiberon Manufactured Capped Composite Decking and Railing Products
For the most up-to-date instructions, visit fiberondecking.com.
FIB-0207-LIT REV I 915
Important Considerations
• Ensure a minimum of 1.5 inches (4 cm) required
ventilation under deck and required spacing between
decking boards. See ventilation requirements below.
• Improve drainage or grade soil to eliminate standing water
under decks.
• Direct downspouts, downspout extensions and splash
guards away from decks.
• Position dryer vents away from decks.
• Maintain a deck that is dry and clean.
• Clean your deck as often as needed, at least twice each
year.
• Use extreme caution with pressure washers and use at
pressures less than 3,000 psi (20684.3 kPa) at 10 inches
(25 cm) above deck surface. Pressure washing is not
recommended when mold/mildew are present on the deck.
• Keep debris out of gaps between the decking boards so
rain showers can remove pollen and organic debris
between cleanings.
• Minimize wet mulch up against the deck structure.
• Items stored directly on top of the deck surface, such as
flower pots, prohibit water evaporation and can cause
some staining on the deck surface.
Ventilation
Make sure there is adequate and unobstructed air flow under
50% of the deck. Allow a minimum of 1.5 inches (4 cm)
between bottom of joist and the ground. Water must be able to
flow away from under the deck. Improve drainage or grade flat
areas where standing water may gather. Do not install decking
directly to an existing or solid surface.
Sleeper Installation
Minimum joist height is 1.5 inches (4 cm), installed level, in
direction of water runoff and directly to a solid sub-structure.
Create adequate ventilation for the deck by widening side-to-
side spacing between boards to ¼ inch (6 cm) with a maximum
of 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) gap. The deck design must allow
unrestricted air flow under the deck at the open joist ends for
ventilation and drainage.
Mind the Gap
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 that forms a “tea” or tannin which may stain your deck.
This organic debris is a strong food source for mold. Keeping
the gap clean is the easiest way to keep the deck clean. If
gapping becomes clogged, use a garden hose, a spatula, putty
knife or similar tool to remove debris.
Clean Your Deck
Clean your deck as often as needed, at least twice each year
to remove pollen, organic debris, dirt or stains. Generally, a
broom or a blower will work better than a hose for removing
scattered organic materials like leaves. For general cleaning,
use soap and water or mild household cleaners.
Construction Chalk
Colored chalk, used in construction for marking straight lines
prior to cutting, is permanent on most surfaces. Contact the
manufacturer of the specific brand and color of chalk for a
cleaning solution that may prove effective. The best advice is
to avoid colored chalk, using workable alternatives such as
white chalk or baby powder.
Masonry Construction
It is important to protect decking during masonry construction.
White or hazy residue from mineral deposits (efflorescence)
can leach out of stone and masonry materials after water
evaporates leaving the deposits behind. Minerals from soils in
certain arid and mountainous environments can also cause a
hazing affect when deposited on the deck surface. This can
only be prevented with complete and secure coverage of the
decking surface area during the construction phase or
installation of the decking after the masonry construction
phase. To minimize this affect during masonry construction,
keep materials dry and allow masonry and cement to cure
properly.
For mineral deposits left on the decking surface, periodic
cleaning is required to maintain visual attractiveness. Fiberon
developed Fiberon Composite Deck Cleaner specifically
formulated for, and effective in cleaning dirt, clay, mud, soil,
mineral deposits and masonry and stucco residue. Use the
Fiberon Composite Deck Cleaner with a brass bristle brush to
clean, repeating the process as needed. Be sure to follow the
label instructions. Do not mix recommended cleaning products
together as harmful chemical reactions could occur.
Dirt and Grime
Dislodge accumulated dirt with a broom or by using soap and
water and a non-metal scrub brush. Thoroughly rinse off with a
garden hose. Skilled professionals may use a pressure washer
with wide fan tips, at low pressures under 3,000 psi (20684.3
kPa) and at safe distances, 10 inches (25 cm) above deck. In
the wrong hands, your composite deck can be damaged.
Exercise extreme caution.
Oil and Grease Stains
Speedy clean-up is best. To clean grease and oil stains that
soap and water cannot remove, some all-purpose cleaners,
such as Fantastik, will cut through grease and grime. Or use a
commercial deck cleaner designed specifically for your type of
decking.
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.
Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew are common environmental conditions. Molds
grow on decaying organic material such as wood, leaf decay
and pollen. Tiny and lightweight, mold spores travel easily
through the air. Different climates experience varying degrees
of these conditions depending on the amount of moisture and
heat present.
To thrive, mold and mildew need air, water, elevated
temperatures and a food source. There is no way to eliminate
all these conditions in the environment. A wide variety of
building materials including concrete, wood products, vinyl
siding and many others are subject to potential mold growth.
To minimize mold on your decking, clean your deck as often as