You are here:

Architecture/FiberCon decking

Advertisement

Expert: - 5/25/2007


Question
I have a FiberCon 16 by 44 foot deck surface that developed
blochey stains all over it. I tried bleach, soap and water it gets a little better but not great. There is a fireplace next door. Could it be from soot residue? Do I have to stain it now. I never painted or stained it before. It's about 7 years old and getting worse every year. I used stainless steel screws.

Answer
Sal - thanks for your question!

You're probably experiencing mold growth.  Mold grows in colonies, which usually appear as blotches as you've described.

Bleach is of limited effectiveness in killing mold, and soap and water can actually make it worse - mold needs moisture to grow.

You might try the following -

- Thoroughly pressure-clean the deck (if possible, use a steam cleaner - the heat kills the mold)

- Clean with a Sodium percarbonate product like Oxideck (follow manufacturer's instructions for use)

Once it's clean it's important to take steps to prevent future mold growth by making sure that water drains quickly from the deck; that there is plenty of air movement under the deck (this is very important!); and that you keep the deck clean and dry.

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtaplans.com
www.rtahouseplans.com
www.dontbuyahouseplan.com

Architecture

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

Experience

I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

Publications
Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.