Adding DuraLife Decking is a great way to extend your outdoor living space and add value to your home. As with any outdoor feature, decks are exposed to the elements. Here are some tips to keep your DuraLife composite deck boards looking their best:
General Tip: Dry sweep occasionally with a bristled broom to keep debris off the deck surface and to keep the gaps between the deck boards clear. Wash with warm water and a non-bleach dish soap using a sponge as needed. For any stains it is always best to remove immediately.
Grease Stains: Wash with warm water and a non-bleach dish soap using a sponge as needed. Use alcohol wipes for spot cleaning.
Mold & Mildew Removal: Wash with warm water and a non-bleach dish soap using a sponge as needed.
Bird Droppings: Wash with warm water and a non-bleach dish soap using a sponge as needed. Use alcohol wipes for spot cleaning.
Construction Marks & Adhesives: Isopropyl Alcohol & rag or nylon bristle brush. For those stubborn stains try cleaners like Krud Kutter® Concentrated Cleaner / Degreaser Stain Remover.
Minor Scratches or Scuff Marks: The appearance of minor surface scratches or scuffs should diminish after a few months of exposure to the weather and elements. For larger scratches or scuffs, a heat gun (available at most building products or hardware stores) may be used to carefully heat and blend the blemished portion of the polypropylene cap material into the adjacent deck surface area. See a video here! Note: The tip of the heat gun should never be placed closer than 3 inches from the deck surface and should be in continuous motion so as not to permanently damage the surface of the deck board.
Snow Removal: It is best to use a plastic tip shovel. Please do not chip at any thin ice or directly on DuraLife composite deck boards as it may damage the surface of the material. We suggest using rock salt or a calcium-chloride based product to melt away the snow and ice. Select ice-melt that uses phrases such as “safe for concrete,” “safe for flagstone,” or “safe for children and pets” on its packaging.
Pressure Washer: We do not recommend using a pressure washer on DuraLife Decking products.
Painting or Stucco Repair Adjacent to Decking: Paint or cementitious materials (like stucco or cement) are very difficult to remove. Make sure to cover the deck adequately prior to beginning any siding or roofing work adjacent to the surface of the deck.
Click for a PDF version of Care & Maintenance tips for DuraLife Decking: DeckingCare&Maintenance
