Does Trex Decking Need Maintenance?

General Cleaning

• Trex needs regular, basic cleaning to remain free of dirt and debris, which is accomplished easily by using a hose with a deck brush or even just a broom. If the dirt is particularly difficult, use soap or deck cleaner to help dissolve and remove it. Use a broom to sweep up first if the deck has a large amount of soil or leaves. Additionally, ensure the deck brush has bristles that are not too hard so that there is no possibility of scratching the decking, which is especially important around any embossing patterns that might be on the Trex as the composite will be more delicate in this area. Trex does not recommend using a power washer on decking as it can be too powerful and damage the product.

Staining

• Staining of any Trex decking needs to be removed before it becomes a problem. Ensure that the stain removal is suitable for the composite so as to not damage the decking. Find this information by either navigating the Trex website or calling their customer service number. Simple stains from normal wear and tear can be removed using a broom, hose and deck brush, and stains from tannins can be removed using a deck brightener. Chalk lines or stains need to be treated with a special dust-off chalk remover to not damage the Trex material. Rust stains can be successfully treated with a deck brightener, too. Oil and grease stains can be a little trickier because they require quick action. Pour hot water on stains to remove as much of the stain as possible, so they do not set. Trex recommends the use of products like Pour N Restore to eliminate any remaining stains.

Seasonal

• In areas where the seasons change, Trex needs to be maintained during the changing weather because of the dirt, debris or other issues they bring. In the autumn, sweep leaves and falling debris from the Trex decking; sap and other material that may land on the decking from trees needs to be removed as well. Winter can mean that the deck will be covered in snow or ice. Use only a plastic shovel to remove snow from the decking to not harm or gouge the Trex, and use rock salt to melt ice instead of trying to chip at the ice.

Mold and Mildew

• Even though Trex is more resilient than wood to harmful substances like mold and mildew, it is not totally immune. Trex is made partly out of wood, and if it is not maintained, it can be attacked by mold and mildew, too. Regular cleaning is a big help in deterring any damage from these substances. Clean pollen off the decking in the fall and the spring because pollen can help mold growth if left to set. Using deck cleaners that have bleach in them will help to killing any mold or mildew before it can build up.