Full Product Manual

CARE AND MAINTENANCECARE AND MAINTENANCE
2221
verandadeck.comverandadeck.com
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 ower 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 ow under the deck to prevent excessive water absorption.
Improve drainage or grade at 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 airow 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 specic 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 (ef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 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 specically 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 and at safe distances, 10” 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 specically 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 needed, at least twice each year. Climate conditions vary in different 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 results, be sure to
follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use cleaners within their stated shelf life. Do not mix recommended cleaning products together as harmful chemical
reactions could occur. Never mix bleach and acids.
Collier Manufacturing 30-Seconds® Outdoor Cleaner and 30-Seconds® Spray & Walk Away are heavy duty, mildly alkaline chlorinated mold and mildew
removers/cleaners that are biodegradable once rinsed into the soil. Both have been tested and perform very well in removing mold and mildew and retarding
its return.
For more information on cleaning mold and mildew, see Fiberon Technical Bulletin # 13 at this link, berondecking.com/resources/literature.
Salt and Calcium Chloride
Buildup of salt and calcium chloride from snow and ice removal is easily removed with enough water and perhaps a light scrub. Use a garden hose or sprayer.
If using a pressure washer, use at low pressures under 3,000 psi and at safe distances, 10 in. above deck, to avoid damaging your deck. Never use METAL
shovels or sharp-edged tools to remove snow and ice on the surface of any Fiberon decking product.
Static
Dry or windy environments may create a temporary condition of static electricity, which will vary depending on climate and site conditions. Heat pumps and
dryer vents that are close to, or pointed toward the decking material, can also generate static electricity on the deck.
Rubber Mats
Welcome mats or grill mats with a rubber, vinyl or latex backing can mark your deck. The marks can be removed, but to avoid them, use polypropylene or
colorfast woven rugs only.
Important Ladder Usage Safety Instructions
When using a ladder, place the ladder on a piece of 3/4 in. plywood rmly secured to the deck surface to disperse the load of the ladder’s feet to nearby
underlying joists. Drill fasteners downward through the top of the plywood sheet, into the deck board gaps and into the joists to keep the plywood from slipping.
This avoids leaving holes in your decking once the plywood sheet is removed. Be sure to follow the ladder manufacturer’s instructions and safety tips.
Fire and Unusual Heat Sources
Composite decking will retain heat when exposed to direct or reective sunlight. Exercise caution if walking barefoot as footwear may be required. Fire and
unusual sources of heat and heat build-up can possibly damage Fiberon decking surfaces. Examples would include re, reected light from different types of
glass (ex. low-e glass), re features and under-deck waterproong installations that do not provide the 6 in. (15 cm) of unobstructed net free ventilation.
Low-E Glass/Reected Heat
Low-emissivity glass is designed to prevent heat gain inside the house by reecting sunlight outward. This reective property can result in excessive heat
build on the surface of Fiberon decking. The properties that Low-E glass employs to prevent passive heat gain within a structure can result in unusual heat
build-up on exterior surfaces.
When sunlight is reected and concentrated, it can harm a range of building materials that include doors, windows, siding, trim and decking. Damage
caused to these products can include melting, sagging, warping, discoloration, increased expansion and contraction, and accelerated weathering.
If you have questions on how to reduce this risk, contact the manufacturer of the product which contains the Low-E glass for suggestions on how to reduce
or eliminate the reected heat.
Under-deck waterproong systems
Under-deck waterproong systems, properly installed, can provide additional living or storage space. Improper installations are those that restrict air
ow and result in build-up of heat and/or humidity which can result in unwanted consequences. Contact the manufacturer of the specic under-deck
waterproong system for installation instructions to ensure the required 6 in. (15 cm) of unobstructed ventilation is achieved for Fiberon decking. If already
installed, seek methods to achieve the ventilation requirement.
Fire Features/Fire Pits
Fire features and re pits are increasingly popular in outdoor living environments. Fire can damage many building products, including Fiberon decking.
Improperly installed re features and re pits can cause damage to the surface of Fiberon decking via direct exposure to the ame or excessive radiated
heat. Proper caution should be taken when designing, installing and using these features to ensure damage does not result.
Fiberon Paramount Decking
Recommended cleaners include Simple Green and Krud Kutter Cleaner Degreaser. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and test in an inconspicuous area
to make sure cleaner does not harm the decking surface. Avoid the use of rubber or vinyl products on Paramount Decking as a reaction could occur resulting
in discoloration under the rubber or vinyl product. Certain chemical ingredients in products such as insect repellent and sunblock could cause a reaction and
result in a stain on the decking surface.
For further information, contact:
Fiberon, Consumer and Technical Support Department
181 Random Dr., New London, NC 28127
phone [phone] | fax [phone] | email info@berondecking.com | www.berondecking.com
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