While TimberTech decking is known for its low upkeep and requires less work, they are not completely hands-off. Low-maintenance does not mean no maintenance; proper care remains important, as it could easily extend your deck’s useful life by years and save you money on repairs. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the fundamentals of TimberTech deck maintenance and how you can keep your Seattle home’s outdoor living space looking its best for decades.
How do you care for TimberTech decking?
TimberTech recommends that decks made of their decking products be cleaned at least once a year. In terms of frequency, this is no different from caring for a deck made of natural wood. The thing with TimberTech decks is that, unlike their real wood counterparts, the boards do not require sanding and sealing. This drastically reduces the work and expense needed to maintain the deck.
Now, maintaining a TimberTech deck is a very straightforward, albeit thorough, process. That said, here are the exact steps that you need to follow:
1. Inspect your deck thoroughly.
Take a good look at your deck to assess its overall condition. Don’t stop with the big picture, or you may miss minor or hidden issues that may become a problem down the line. Zero in on every nook and cranny to check for damaged boards, loose fittings, and unwanted infestation, among others. It is very helpful to take note of every item that requires attention. Write down details of the concern, the specific location, and how you intend to address the problem.
2. Check and tighten your fasteners.
Fasteners like screws and framing connectors and can loosen up over time and pose a risk of accident during normal use and maintenance. Be sure to tighten them as you inspect your deck. Old, rusted fasteners should be replaced as well.
3. Clean your deck.
Cleaning the deck is necessary to prepare the structure for more thorough maintenance. It is an entire process that goes beyond surface-level work, and may have to be done as often as needed. Here are the necessary steps to get your deck cleaned up and ready.
- Clear the deck. Remove all furniture and everything that’s not nailed down. Note the original position for easy replacement and store the items in a safe, dry place.
- Remove all loose debris. Use a broom or a vacuum cleaner to take the loose particles off of your deck. Don’t scrub the surface to remove stubborn dirt, as it may damage your TimberTech boards.
- Clean your deck as instructed by the manufacturer. Start by sectioning your deck for clean up. Use a medium-to-stiff nylon brush and the TimberTech DeckCleaner—diluted and applied as per manufacturer instructions—to clean the boards in each section. Alternatively, you can use a mild solution with equal parts water and dish soap. In any case, don’t let the solution dry out as it will leave a visible layer of residue.
- Rinse the deck. Shortly after applying the cleaner, rinse the section you’ve worked on with a power washer. Keep the pressure at or below 1,500 psi and holding the nozzle at least 8 inches above the surface. Rinse thoroughly before moving on the next section and repeating Step 3.
- Leave the deck to dry. Once you’ve cleaned all sections of your deck, wait for 48 hours or two full days before you can enjoy or do further work on your deck.
4. Replace or repair damaged boards.
If any boards have incurred significant damage due to accidents or misuse, they will need to be replaced. Here’s a quick guide you can follow for that matter:
- Get a replacement board. You can check the TimberTech website to find the right board to replace the damaged one.
- Remove the damaged board. Make two parallel cuts across the damaged board and remove the center portion. You may take out the rest using a crowbar.
- Replace the board. Remove the old fasteners and place the new board where the old, damaged board used to be. Fixed the board in place as instructed in the manufacturer’s guide.
On the other hand, you can repair minor damage in PVC and composite boards using a composite deck repair kit. This comes with everything you need to repair visible scratches or dents. Repairing damaged boards this way is a matter of following the manual.
5. Recolor your faded deck.
Composite decks can fade over time due to exposure to UV rays. To fix this, you may apply an oil-based stain to your deck’s surface right after cleaning. You can use any stain of your choice, or you can find one that perfectly matches your original deck’s color. Note, however, that you don’t need to do this regularly; the fading process is slow, and you only need to stain your deck every two or three years.
What Should You Not Use on a Composite Deck?
Decks built with TimberTech composite boards will require a little extra care. Unlike PVC boards, they are not made entirely of plastic—they usually contain recycled wood fibers and covered with a protective polymer surface. Any significant damage would be irreversible and could ruin your deck in the long run.
As such, here are some caveats you need to know before you clean and maintain your composite deck:
- Using improper tools. Highly abrasive brushes and metal tools can cause irreparable damage to the polymer layer. If the damage exposed the composite core, you will have to replace the affected board.
- Cleaning with harsh chemicals. A simple dish soap solution or a composite deck cleaner is enough to take care of the stubborn grime and unwanted stains. Harsh chemicals like chlorine bleach can badly discolor the surface and may even corrode the composite board.
- Excessive pressure washing. Power washers set above 1,500 psi and held too close to the deck can damage the protective polymer surface and expose the composite core.
Keeping Your TimberTech Deck Stronger, Longer
Proper TimberTech deck maintenance does not just keep your deck well-groomed. It is an active way to extend its lifespan and maintain its beauty, protecting your investment for years to come. Regular cleaning, timely maintenance and repair, and avoiding the common pitfalls ensures your deck remains a resilient, enjoyable outdoor centerpiece for the foreseeable future.
