Care and Handling
With proper installation and care, TimberTech® products will provide years of outdoor living pleasure. For most current recommendations or to download a PDF, visit: https://www.timbertech.com/resources/care-cleaning/
Recommended Products for TimberTech PRO™ and TimberTech EDGE ™
We know you want to keep your TimberTech Deck clean and looking its best, so here are a few guidelines on the best products and methods to use to keep your TimberTech Deck looking great.
These recommended products can be purchased at many hardware stores as well as online. Always make sure to read the cleaning product manufacturers specific information before using any product on your TimberTech Deck and follow their instructions.
Storage
Store TimberTech products under cover to maintain a clean surface. If store outdoors, they must be covered with a non translucent material.
- All products should be stored flat and on a dry surface.
- Stack units with banding and bottom supports aligned.
Handling
Although all TimberTech boards are made with low maintenance materials, each board’s unique features require special care and handling ensuring lasting beauty. To maintain the beauty of TimberTech products, please follow these important guidelines when moving and working with TimberTech:
- Never dump TimberTech materials when unloading.
- When carrying TimberTech boards, carry on edge for better support. When carrying a 20’ boards should be carried by 2 persons to more evenly distribute the weight of the board and not concentrate the load at one point
- Do not slide boards against each other when moving them. When removing them from the unit, lift the boards and set them down.
- Do not slide tools or drag equipment across the top of the boards during construction.
- Keep the surface of the boards free of construction waste to prevent damage to the boards
Brushes
The correct brush is very important so that it not only cleans the surface, but also does not damage or dull the board surface. We recommend using either the Quickie® Professional Pool and Deck Scrub or a medium plastic bristle deck brush. DO NOT use a natural fiber deck brush on capped composites as they can dull the surface.
Cleaner
For general periodic maintenance cleaning, use a dilution of mild liquid soap and water. Dawn Ultra ® has shown best results. For more difficult to remove dirt, mud, clay, or surface contamination, use TimberTech DeckCleaner™ or an all purpose cleaner like Chomp® Pro Gutter Cleaner or Zep® Fast 505. *Note that composite deck cleaners such as Corte Clean®, Thompson’s® Water Seal® — Oxy Action, Olympic® Deck Cleaner, or other cleaners specified as composite deck cleaners, in powder or liquid form, should not be used with TimberTech PRO and EDGE deck boards. TimberTech PRO and EDGE deck boards are a capped composite material, the cap of these products are not compromised of a wood/plastic composite.
Cleaning Procedures
In preparation for spot cleaning as well as full surface cleaning, you will need a bucket of water, one of the recommended scrub brushes with an extension handle and one of the recommended cleaners.
Work in small manageable areas. Avoid cleaning in direct sunlight, the UV and heat will dry the surface quickly as you attempt to clean.
Saturate the area with one of the recommended cleaners and allow the cleaner to soak for 30-60 seconds. DO NOT al low the cleanser to dry or evaporate before scrubbing. Rinse area thoroughly with water after scrubbing.
Using the recommended brush and extension handle, scrub using moderate downward pressure, first scrubbing in the direction of the grain and then against the grain getting into the surface texture. DO NOT allow the treated area to dry before rinsing thoroughly as this will allow dirt residue to dry in the surface texture.
Thoroughly rinse the treated area with clean water, then allow the area to completely air dry. Note that any residual cleaner can leave a difficult to remove surface film. Always rinse thoroughly and never allow the cleaner to dry or evaporate on the surface prior to rinse.
Recommended Products ReliaBoard®
Although TimberTech products are low-maintenance, we recommend periodic cleaning to help maintain the beauty of the product. ReliaBoard and are composite products and cleaning is not the same as for capped composite products. These recommended products can be purchased at many hardware stores including Lowe’s and Home Depot as well as online. Always make sure to read the cleaning product manufacturers specific information before using any product on your TimberTech Deck and follow their instructions.
Power Washing
A power washer can be used when cleaning TimberTech products. The recommended maximum pressure is 1500 psi for TimberTech decks. A fan tip nozzle should be used along with the proper cleaning product. Spray in the direction of the brush/grain pattern to avoid damaging the product. Use caution not to damage the material and always take the proper safety precautions when operation a power washer.
Dirt, Grime, Tannin and Mildew Stains:
TimberTech wood/plastic composite products are formulated to inhibit mildew growth and minimize staining. Rinse off your TimberTech products periodically with a hose. Even if it appears clean, it is important to prevent build-up of pollen/ debris.
Mildew stains may occur where moisture, pollen, and/or dirt are present. Mildew needs a food source to grow, which can be grass, pollen, dirt, debris, wood and wood resins.
Maintaining a clean, dry surface is the best method for combating mildew. Ensure that water drains effectively from your deck. For TimberTech ReliaBoard, be sure that gaps exist between boards to allow for drainage.
Tannin Staining
Like any other wood-based product, TimberTech’s wood plastic composite products (ReliaBoard} may experience a naturally occurring process called Extractive Bleeding/Tannins. This process may cause temporary discoloration that will weather away with exposure to flushing rainfall and UV. In most cases the weathering process takes 8-10 weeks but could vary depending on location and specific product application such as a covered porch. Tannins may also be cleaned by utilizing the cleaners referenced for Basic Cleaning Recommendations for ReliaBoard.
These guidelines may not cover every care and maintenance scenario encountered. For additional questions about care and maintenance, call 800-307-7780.
Heat Buildup
Please be aware that excessive heat build on the surface of TimberTech products from external sources such as, but not limited to, fire or reflection of sunlight can potentially lead to damage.
For example, sunlight which may be reflected by low-emissivity (Low-E) glass can potentially lead to damage of exterior building products, including TimberTech Deck, Rail, and accessories, due to elevation of surface temperatures which far exceed that of normal exposure of the same materials to direct sunlight.
Possible damage by such reflected, concentrated light may include melting, sagging, warping, distortion, surface discoloration, increased expansion or contraction, and unusual weathering.
Although TimberTech Deck products are cooler to the touch than many other deck board products in similar colors, all deck ing products will get hot in the sun. Additionally, the darker the decking color, the hotter it will feel.
Static Electricity
The buildup of generation of static electricity is a naturally occurring phenomenon in many plastic based products such as carpeting, upholstery, and clothing, and can occur on alternative decking under certain environmental conditions.
Snow & Ice Removal
As with any walking surface, TimberTech decking products may become slippery in winter weather. Take caution when walking on your TimberTech deck in these conditions. Most products containing calcium chloride can be used without deck/porch surface. These products may leave a white residue damage to the deck/porch surface. These products may leave a white residue which can be cleaned using the cleaning guidelines above. Metal shovels or plastic shovels with a metal leading edge may damage the surface of TimberTech decking and are not recommended for clearing snow from the deck surface.
Important
Do not allow airborne dust from concrete, landscape blocks, or any masonry product to accumulate on the surface of TimberTech Deck, Rail, and accessories as it may damage the surface of the deck. Do not cut any product on or near TimberTech Decking products. Always remove job site dust, clay, dirt, mud, and other construction dirt and debris to sit on the TimberTech Deck surface. Do not cut metal objects such as railing on the deck surface, the hot debris from the cut may become embedded in the deck surface resulting in staining and damage.