Maintenance

Congratulations on the purchase of your new vinyl deck! The following cleaning instructions are provided to assist you with maintaining your deck and to providing you with many years of enjoyment.

Protect

Protect vinyl from scuffs, tears or excessive wear by using mats at doorways, stair landings or major traffic areas. Dragging heavy objects can cause scuffs or tears and should be avoided or protected against.

Inspect

The only regular maintenance other than cleaning is inspecting the caulking used to seal around posts, pillars, corners, vents and drains. Often the structure to which the vinyl sheeting is sealed will crack, shrink or shift, thereby breaking the seal. Yearly inspection will uncover such a problem. Your contractor can recommend and supply the proper sealant to correct it. See your product’s warranty for caulking.

General Cleaning

Your vinyl deck should be cleaned at least four times per year (more often if acid rain or airborne pollution is a problem in your area) using a good quality vinyl cleaner as available at Distinctive Deck & Rail. This cleaner is specially formulated and includes plasticizers that really do a great job cleaning sheet vinyl. Follow the directions on the label. This cleaner is designed for vinyl and will NOT leave harmful chemical residue like many household cleaners may. Use warm water and a stiff broom, scrubbing in a circular motion to loosen the dirt. Spray with a garden hose (under pressure) to wash away the loose dirt. Flush thoroughly with clean water.

Stains

Vinyl will resist most staining materials. Some do cause problems though. Exterior oil base stains, some oil stains, any tar or bitumen based product, fresh cedar, and some new Wolmanized® lumber may permanently stain the vinyl. Biodegradable matter such as leaves when left on the vinyl for a prolonged period may also be very difficult to clean. If any of the above should occur, try to clean off as soon as possible so the stain doesn’t have a chance to set.

Warning:

Do not attempt to clean stains, paint or any blemish using any bleach, acetone, turpentine, lacquer thinner, ketone, acid or multipurpose stain or paint remover as this may cause removal of the printed surface or damage the integrity of the membrane itself. Any damage as a result of cleaning attempts can be repaired with a patch, or alternatively, it's a chance to change the colour altogether.

Directions must be followed explicitly to avoid damaging the print. The cleaning solution must be dabbed NOT rubbed, and then cleaned well with cleanser and water and then flushed with lots of clean water. Always test on an out of the way place to ensure there will be no problems.

Notes:

Always clean immediately. Test an unseen area of fabric before cleaning stain. All cleaning methods must be followed by a thorough rinse with water. Certain household cleaners, powdered abrasives, steel wool and industrial cleaners can cause damage and discoloration and are not recommend. Dry cleaning fluids and lacquer solvents should not be used as they will remove the printed pattern and gloss. Waxes should be used with caution as they may contain dyes or solvents that can permanently damage the protective coating.

Non-Skid Versus Cleanability

The more textured the surface, the more effective the non-slip characteristics will be. The smoother the surface, the easier your vinyl surface will be to clean. Therefore, a heavily textured non-slip finish will require more cleaning effort and vice versa.

Cleaning Recommendations for Tough Stains

Have you tried the Duradek™ cleaner first?

*Please see the appendix below for processes:

Cleaning Process Key:

1. Medium soft brush - warm soapy water/water rinse/dry
2. Fantastik® spray cleaner (only for a few minutes) water rinse/dry
3. One (1) tablespoon ammonia to one (1) quart water/water rinse/dry. Please use extreme caution!
4. Wipe or scrape off excess (chill gum with ice)
5. Follow instructions of staining agent manufacturer