Full Product Manual

Important Considerations
• Ensure minimum six inches of required ventilation under deck substructure and required spacing between decking boards.
• 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 at 10 in. 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 the use of 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
Do not install decking directly to a solid surface. Make sure there is adequate and unobstructed air flow under the deck to prevent excessive water
absorption. Improve drainage or grade flat areas where standing water may gather. Allow a minimum of 6 in. (15 cm) between the bottom of the deck
substructure/joists and the ground. The deck design must allow unrestricted airflow under at least 50% of its perimeter to permit adequate ventilation.
Mind the Gap
If the gap between decking boards is less than 3/16 in., 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 of 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 eective. 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 (eorescence) 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 aect 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 aect 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 eective 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 o with a garden hose. Skilled
professionals may use a pressure washer with wide fan tips, at low pressures under 3,000 psi and at safe distances, 10 in. 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 eective 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. Dierent 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 needed, at least twice each year. Climate conditions vary in dierent regions of the
country and may necessitate more
periodic cleaning. Removal of leaves, debris, and other organic materials that provide a food source for mold development is important. If mold is
present on your deck, there are many commercial products available for cleaning mold. We recommend the following commercial cleaners. For best
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