Technical Information
Mold
Mold is a lower form of plant life that can settle and grow on any surface, including Trex® decking. Mildew is a form of mold that grows on damp surfaces.
Mold spores are similar to seeds, but cannot be seen until colonies form. Air currents, insects, animals and water transport the spores easily. Due to mold’s adaptability and large number of species, it is very hard to control and impossible to totally eliminate. Mold will not affect the structural performance of Trex decking.
In order to form visible colonies, mold needs food, moisture, and temperatures between 40 and 90° F. Trex decking is not a food source for mold, but can collect food in the form of dirt and debris such as the overflow from flowerpots and gutters. Trex decking can also supply moisture if the gaps between deck boards are too small or clogged. Refer to Trex decking Usage Guidelines for gapping instructions.
How to Remove Mold from Trex Decking
All exterior building materials require cleaning. Trex is no exception. Periodic cleaning of Trex decking will remove dirt that can feed mold. If mold colonies appear, clean the deck with a deck wash containing a detergent and sodium hypochlorite, commonly known as bleach. This chemical will lighten the wood on the surface of Trex in addition to removing the mold. To minimize lightening of darker Trex colors, dilute bleach cleaner 50% with water. The following brands of deck cleaners have been found to be effective in removing mold from Trex decking:
- Olympic Deck Wash*
- Behr®** Deck Prep and Mildew Stain Remover
- Expert Chemical™*** Composite Deck Cleaner & Enhancer (www.expertchemicalinc.com)
Follow all package directions for usage, safety and disposal. NEVER mix any other cleaners (ammonia, phosphoric acid, etc.) with bleach.
Eco-friendly (no bleach):
Treat deck with one of the following products to delay regrowth of mold:
Note: Chomp Pro®***** Algae & Mildew Stain Barrier can only be used in conjunction with mold cleaners that do not contain bleach.
Mold spreads easily and may return in some environments despite proper cleaning and preventative measures. Mold does not damage Trex and will cause no harm if allowed to propagate.
In some cases it will require several treatments with the deck wash to completely remove all mold colonies. Even if the spots are no longer visible, there may still be mold spores on the surface that could regrow.
* Olympic® is a registered trademark of PPG Architectural Finishes, Inc.
** Behr® is a registered trademark of BEHR Process Corporation.
*** Expert Chemical™ is a trademark of Expert Chemical Inc.
**** Corte-Clean® is a trademark of Corte LLC.
*****Chomp Pro® is a registered trademark of ESI.
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