Pressure Washing Guide

Midwestpro

We cleaned a few composite decks last season as we do every year. Almost every time the homeowner portrays to us how upset they are that they are having to get the deck material cleaned. They were sold on the composite material being "maintenance free".

To most, maintenance free means free from having to do any maintenance. Google considers the words "maintenance" and "cleaning" to be the same. So free from ever having to clean it is what people believe they are buying.

As a cleaning contractor I have seen many cases of this decking material aquiring black mildew spots and even greying out like wood. Most of the composite materials are half wood and half plastic. Now we all know that the sun will grey out wood after a few years. And as a contractor I have also seen my share of vinyl (100% plastic) in need of cleaning. Vinyl siding, vinyl decking, and vinyl fence material are other things we clean each year and rid of green mold and mildew. So basically with composite decking, you get the best of both worlds (greying and mildew problems).

It is no laughing matter that our customers are not very happy with the fact that they have been falsely informed. Of course they are relieved once we get the composite material clean again, but the fact they had to do maintenance on a "maintenence free" deck does not sit well with them. Nobody likes the feeling of betrayal.

This is an ongoing problem as these composite material companies continue to sell their product as maintenance free. In my eyes this is false advertising and I think these companies should be held accountable. In many cases the homeowner has contacted the company, but it always ends in them determining that the mildew is not covered under their warranty. There is lawsuit after lawsuit of consumers suing these unethical companies.

There is nothing more upsetting than seeing a homeowner tear down a wooden deck to build a new composite one thinking they are getting away from the high maintenance. Basically anything exposed to the elements will get dirty over time and be in need of maintenance. Composite decking does make a nice deck but just be aware of what you are buying. Do not be falsely fooled into thinking you'll never have to do anything with it because I guarantee it will eventually need to be cleaned.

tongyun · Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 52

Barry - thanks for posting such an informative piece on "maintenance free" decks. I have a concrete slab that I plan on getting rid of and was looking at a composite deck to replace it. Now that I know there are still maintenance issues, I may end up using redwood after all. Thanks again.

mvanderwal · Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 10

Definately thanks for posting this - the information about composite materials is not only helpful but kind of scary. I was seriously considering investing the extra money in composite decking to save some maintenance, but it doesn't really sound like its worth it! I'll do some more research now, thanks again!

jojufernando · Joined: 09 Jun 2011 Posts: 1 Location: USA

It enlarge my knowledge on the point!Thank You for the post. Composite decking material are helpful as well as low maintenance require for that.