S I G N A T U R E ® D E C K I N G CARE AND CLEANING GUIDE
S A F E T Y
Trex decking and railing are heavier and more flexible than wood. DO NOT try to lift the same quantity of Trex boards as you would traditional lumber. Go to www.trex.com for Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
When working on any construction project, you should wear protective clothing and safety equipment. Wear safety glasses, gloves, a dust mask and long sleeves, particularly when cutting in confined spaces.
All exterior building products require cleaning. Generally, only soap and water are required to clean Trex Signature® decking products. Some cleaning agents or chemicals such as solvents, acids or plasticizers can damage the surface of Trex Signature decking. Examples may include insect repellents, sunscreen products, or degreasing cleaning agents. Always refer to manufacturing labels as well as contact Trex customer care to determine if a specific product is safe to use. Many products will contain warning information regarding damage to plastic and these such products should never be used on Trex Signature decking. IF ANY CONDITION OCCURS WHICH IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE USE OF NON-RECOMMENDED CLEANING AGENT OR CHEMICALS, SUCH CONDITION SHALL NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE TREX LIMITED WARRANTY. PROBLEM SOLUTION
TOOLS
SPECIFIC DECK BOARD ATTACHMENT TOOLS
SAWS Miter Saw: When using a miter saw we recommend using the Trex Blade™ or a carbide-tipped blade with 60 teeth or more. The Trex Blade comes in three different sizes and is ideal for cutting all Trex decking and railing products. Jigsaw: For detailed and/or small cuts (i.e., cutting deck board to fit around a post), a jigsaw with a carbide-tipped blade can be used.
The affected area should be sprayed off with a hose to remove surface debris. Use warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush (do not use a wire brush) to remove dirt and debris from the embossing pattern.
Dirt and Debris
A pressure washer with no greater than 3100 psi** that has a fan attachment/adjustment and soap dispenser may be used to remove dirt or mud. Spray deck with soap, then follow by gently scrubbing each deck board with a soft bristle brush (do not use a wire brush). Spray/rinse each individual deck board using a fan tip no closer than 8-in (203 mm) from the decking surface. RINSE THOROUGHLY. If dirty water from cleaning is left to dry, a film will remain on the decking surface. When working with cement, concrete, mortar, or stucco, protect the decking as much as possible to prevent contact with dust particles on the decking surface. When dust particles from these products are exposed to heat or moisture, a reaction may occur causing them to become very difficult to remove. If particles get on the decking surface, Trex recommends using Sakrete™ Concrete Dissolver (www.sakrete.com/products/ concrete-dissolver). BE SURE TO FOLLOW MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS. Hard water is water with high amounts of mineral deposits like lime, silica and calcium. When the water dries, deposits are left behind, leaving unsightly spots on surfaces. This is not a defect of Trex products but an issue with the water itself. Generally, these deposits can be cleaned with white vinegar on decking surfaces. Rinsing is required, so care should be taken to not use hard water for this purpose. If hard water must be used, dry with a cloth or use a blower to dry surfaces. In some cases a deck brightener* product may also be used to help clean hard water stains.
Using a Pressure Washer (General Cleaning Issues)
Screw Guns: Some Trex recommended deck fasteners are compatible with screw guns. Refer to the recommended fasteners page for more information.
Issues with Concrete, Cement, Mortar, or Stucco Dust
TigerClaw ® Pneumatic Gun: If choosing the TigerClaw TC-G Hidden Fasteners, the TigerClaw pneumatic gun is a terrific option that allows for quicker install time. Trex Router Bit: Trex decking routs to give extremely crisp edges when using the Trex Router Bit with standard router, and can be used with all Trex Hideaway Hidden Fasteners.
Hard Water Staining
DRILLS Install Trex recommended fasteners with standard power drills, impact drivers (use care if using impact drivers).
Most colored chalks are permanent and may discolor the surface. Use only Irwin Strait-Line® Dust-Off Marking Chalk (purple), DeWalt® Blue Chalk, or DeWalt® Orange High Visibility Chalk.
Chalk Lines
Remove all debris from the deck using a hose or broom. Once the deck surface is dry, apply a deck “brightener”* to the deck as directed by the manufacturer. Deck Brighteners contain oxalic acid, which will also remove tannins.
Tannins Due to Debris
*Trex® Blade™ is manufactured and sold by Freud Tools, Inc. under a Trademark License Agreement with Trex Company, Inc.
A plastic shovel may be used to remove snow from the deck. Use calcium chloride or rock salt to melt the snow and ice from the deck surface.
Ice and Snow
*Tiger Claw ® is a registered trademark of Tiger Claw, Inc.
All food spills should be removed as soon as possible. The surface must be cleaned within seven days to maintain the stain warranty. To remove, spray off with a hose and use warm, soapy water and a soft bristle brush (do not use a wire brush) to remove spills from the embossing pattern.
Oil, Grease, and Food
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NOTE: Construction methods are always improving. Please refer to www.trex.com for the most up-to-date installation requirements.
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