It may seem like spring is a lifetime away, but in reality, it is less than two months away! Spring begins on March 20th, and I know many Columbus-area homeowners are already getting their plans underway. This includes starting the outdoor living season off right with the spring cleaning of their outdoor spaces. Archadeck of Columbus is the area’s premier TimberTech deck builder, and we get a lot of questions about how to clean these decks. In this post, we will answer the question “how do I clean my TimberTech deck properly” and more helpful hints to make the upcoming deck season the best ever.
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First, we want to mention that how and what you use to clean your TimberTech deck with is important. Not only for the longevity of your deck, but also to ensure you follow best practices for cleaning outlined on the TimberTech website for warranty protection. We recommend following these guidelines closely to protect your investment.
Apart from regular inspections of your deck substructure to ensure its ongoing integrity, just follow these simple steps to keep your deck clean and looking its best for years to come. If you have questions or need additional support, please feel free to reach out to Archadeck of Columbus or TimberTech directly. The following detailed instructions on how to clean a TimberTech deck were taken directly from their website.
CLEANING DO’S AND DON’TS
To prepare for cleaning current TimberTech Composite or Advanced PVC Decking collections, you’ll need water for rinsing (hose or power washer), the recommended brush for your decking with an extension handle, and TimberTech DeckCleaner™. For specialty decking products, including ReliaBoard, TwinFinish, Earthwood, Floorizon, and DockSider, see the Specialty Decking section.
DO clean in small, manageable areas, rinsing thoroughly before moving on to the next section.
DO avoid getting TimberTech DeckCleaner on other surfaces, including glass, stainless steel, painted surfaces, plants, and vegetation. Thoroughly rinse surfaces immediately upon contact.
DO use the recommended brush for your TimberTech decking.
DO rinse decking thoroughly. A garden hose is all that’s required, but, if you like, you can use a power washer for rinsing only. Use a fan tip nozzle and a maximum pressure of 1,500 psi and be sure to take proper safety precautions.
DON’T let the cleaner dry on the surface — it will cause a white surface film that can be difficult to clean off.
DON’T clean your deck in direct sunlight as the heat may cause the surface to dry before you’ve rinsed the cleaner away.
DON’T use a stiff, natural fiber deck brush on TimberTech Composite Decking collections, as it can dull the surface.
RECOMMENDED CLEANER
TimberTech DeckCleaner™ is specially formulated for cleaning TimberTech Advanced PVC Decking or Porch, TimberTech Composite™ Decking, TimberTech Invite Furniture, and TimberTech Composite Rail. * Safe, nontoxic, bleach-free, and biodegradable, it’s the best solution for seasonal cleanup, everyday spills, or stubborn spots. On average, one gallon of cleaning solution (one part cleaner, three parts water) will clean approximately 1,000 square feet of surface area.
Because the capping material on current TimberTech products is not composed of a wood/plastic composite, it’s important to not use composite deck cleaners such as Corte Clean®, Thompson’s® Water Seal® -Oxy Action, Olympic® Deck Cleaner, or other cleaners specified as composite deck cleaners, in powder or liquid form.
RECOMMENDED BRUSHES
It’s important to use the right brush for your decking products, and they’re easy to find at most large retail home centers and online retailers. Here are a few of our favorites:
ADVANCED PVC DECKING AND PORCH — use a stiff, natural fiber brush like Quickie Professional Wood Block Deck Scrub Brush or Blue Hawk 8-in Palmyra Stiff Deck Brush.
COMPOSITE AND SPECIALTY DECKING — use a medium to stiff nylon brush like Quickie BULLDOZER 9-in Poly Fiber Stiff Deck Brush
SPECIALTY TIMBERTECH DECKING:
CLEANING GUIDELINES Because our discontinued collections — ReliaBoard, TwinFinish, Earthwood, Floorizon, and DockSider — are uncapped composite, their cleaning instructions are NOT the same as TimberTech’s current Composite and Advanced PVC Decking collections. These recommended products have been tested to be compatible with our specialty and historic collections to make care and cleaning easier.
BRUSHES Using the correct brush is very important. Using the incorrect brush can make cleaning more difficult or even damage the deck board. We recommend using the Quickie® Bulldozer Deck Scrub Brush or a medium stiffness nylon bristle deck brush. These can be found at most large retail home centers or online.
CLEANERS The cleaners recommended for periodic cleaning for use with our discontinued and specialty products include:** • Wash Safe Spray and Clean Composite • Resist Mist Composite Deck Cleaner • Corte Clean® • Super Deck Composite Deck Cleaner • Thompson’s® Water Seal® – Oxy Action
POWER WASHING A power washer can be used for rinsing only with TimberTech products. The recommended maximum pressure is 1,500 psi. A fan tip nozzle should be used. Spray in the direction of the grain pattern, never across the grain or width of the board, to avoid damaging the product. Use caution not to damage the material, and always take proper safety precautions when operating a power washer.
For more information on the care and cleaning or TimberTech porch, decking and railing, download The TimberTech Care And Cleaning Guide
Contact Archadeck Of Columbus To Learn More
Archadeck of Columbus has been servicing the outdoor living needs of Columbus residents for nearly 25 years. For value, functionality, creative design and exceptional building of custom decks, the only name you need to know is Archadeck. Your local custom deck can be reached at (740) 265-3905. Don’t forget to ask about our flexible financing options, too!
You can also quickly connect with us by clicking this link right here.
