Check your Deck for Signs of Trouble

• As with any outdoor structure you should occasionally check your deck for signs of wear that may lead to bigger problems in the future. First, walk the deck and check for loose boards or soft spots which may be in need of tightening or reinforcement. Second, look for signs of puddling or mildew that can rot the lumber framing. You may notice puddle shaped discolorations, standing water or even some light mildew. Make note of spots that effect more than one board for further investigation. Finally, check any stairs, rails or benches to make certain they are tight and secure.
  
  

Make Necessary Repairs

• Once you have completed your assessment, make a list of any trouble spots and get to work. It's better to tackle structural issues as soon as you notice them. Left unchecked they will lead to bigger problems. With a drill and outdoor rated screws you can tighten most loose boards. If you find a board that can't be snugged down from the top it may require examining the frame. Hopefully you can access your frame easily from underneath; if not, removing a board or two to see the problem from the top should help you correct the issue. Most deck frames are held together by joist brackets. Loose brackets can easily be fastened by adding a screw or two. Replace any boards you removed and tighten all screws well. Areas that collect water may have debris in the spaces between the boards. Gently scraping these out with a flat bladed screwdriver may do the trick. If you think your boards are too close together refer to the Trex website, listed at the end of this article, for spacing procedures.
  
  

Clean Up to Prevent Mold

• Because your deck is not a perfectly smooth surface, debris may become attached from time to time. Organic matter coupled with moisture that doesn't dry quickly enough can cause mildew and mold colonies to form. These are nothing to worry about and can be taken care of with a simple periodic scrub down with a deck brightening agent containing bleach. Be careful not to let the brightening agent sit too long as the bleach will lighten the color of your deck boards. For other stains such as motor oil Trex has an excellent section on cleaning that lists cleaning agents recommended for composite decking. Staying on top of these few simple things should keep your Trex deck in beautiful shape for years to come.