Trex Deck Maintenance vs New Deck

When it comes to outdoor decks, homeowners have two main options: trex deck maintenance and new deck installation. Trex deck maintenance involves taking care of the existing structure, including cleaning, sanding and staining it to keep it looking its best. This type of maintenance is generally less expensive than a complete deck installation, but new decks provide homeowners with more freedom to customize their deck design according to their own personal tastes and needs.

If you dont have the time and money yet to get a new deck, consider Trex deck maintenance first. Trex decking maintenance is so easy, you’ll have your Trex deck looking brand new in no time. 

The better question when it comes to maintaining a Trex decking may be, “What don’t you need to do?” Because many of the more tedious deck maintenance tasks homeowners deal with don’t apply when it comes to Trex composite decking. Here’s a look at the dos (and don’t have to) relevant to keeping your Trex deck functional and looking great for years.

Low-Maintenance With Trex Composite Decking

Trex decks and Trex signature railing are the perfect combinations to create an outdoor living space that not only looks great but is also built to last. Trex company even offer a 25-year limited warranty to protect your investment.

Trex composite decks are designed to look like natural wood decks, and we offer deck designs in a range of wood deck colors and stains. You won’t ever need to seal or stain the deck, and you certainly don’t have to (and shouldn’t) paint it. And since Trex is a composite material, you don’t have to carry out long-term maintenance such as replacing rotted deck boards that you usually would do for natural wood decking.

You should never use acetone or any type of solvent cleaning product on your Trex deck board as these chemicals can damage the composite Trex boards and negatively impact the aesthetic of the structure.

How to Care for Your Trex Deck

But no exterior surface stays maintenance-free without periodic cleaning. Like the rest of your exterior home and yard, your Trex decking surface is exposed to the elements. Dirt, debris, and mold can build up over time, requiring annual or semiannual cleaning with either a composite deck cleaner or soapy water made with dish soap. 

No Need for Pressure Washing

You don’t need to pressure wash the Trex deck with a power washer; usually, scrubbing the decking boards with a soft-bristle deck brush and rinsing off with a garden hose does the trick to refresh the look of the composite surface.

In some cases, your Trex deck comes under fire from specific debris, stains or elements. Here’s how to clean trex composite decks in those situations.

Tannins 

• When organic debris rests for a period of time on your Trex composite deck, their oils can seep into the surface and cause discoloration or stain. Avoid this issue by sweeping the deck regularly to remove leaves, flower petals and other matter. You can also use a deck brightener to remove tannins from the surface of your Trex deck and hose off oils or spilled drinks immediately. Leaving these types of spills for days can create a permanent stain in your composite deck or wood deck; in fact, Trex says that leaving food or oil on the deck for more than a week will void your stain warranty.

Mildew or mold 

• These growths can sustain themselves on tiny debris, including pollen, that might accumulate on the Trex composite deck surface or within the indentations of the wood-like grooves. Use a soft-bristle brush and soap and water to remove mold and mildew and anything they might grow upon.

Rock salt and a plastic shovel are both safe to use on a Trex deck to maintain safety during the winter. If you want to use a pressure washer periodically, ensure that it produces a pressure of 3100 psi or less. High pressure sprayers can damage the deck materials if they go over 3100 psi.

However and whenever you clean your Trex deck, make sure you rinse it completely. Leaving dirty water to dry on the deck surface redeposits the grime you were clearing off in the first place and can leave stains.