Trex Deck stains caused by Pine Trees
Our Trex deck is fine. However, the deck is subject to staining and discoloration from nearly pine trees. We have not tried removing the stains yet and would welcome suggestions.
There is nothing like a huge deck that adjoins a kitchen and/or family room. It's great for those temperate days and evening to relax on. Of course when you are hosting a large party, it also serves to capture the overflow of people and kids.
We designed and built 26 foot by 24 foot deck using Trex decking, Specifically we used Trex Accents Decking since it has a very slight wood grain. To control costs, we used pressured treated wood for the railing and posts.
Trex is backed by a 25 year limited warranty. The company claims that the total 10 year cost $1,250 less than wood at year 10. We've only had our deck for about 2 years so we'll see.
So far we have found Trex decking to be slip resistant on rainy days and it has not splinted and warped. The only issue we have had with Trex is that it is susceptible to staining. We noticed this about 6 months after the installation. The Trex decking under our overhang that leads to family room is identical to the day it was installed. However, the remainder of the deck has small spots on it. At first, we could not figure out what was causing this, so we called a Trex Distributor who came out and inspected the deck.
The Trex distributor told us that the pine trees that are adjacent to the deck are the cause of the problem. Pines apparently secrete some kind of substance that reacts with the Trex.
Solution
The not so obvious solution was to cut or trim the pine trees before we installed the deck. The second approach is to try to clean the deck with the materials recommended by Trex below.
Cleaning Trex Decks PDF
Trex Brochure [English] PDF
Trex Brochure [Spanish] PDF
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trex decking
I am in the process of replacing my trex deck for the second time!!
The boards seem to be rotting or delaminating!!!
Wow, how long did the first Trex Deck last?
Never heard of this before. I'm assuming you contacted Trex. What did the have to say and who's footing the bill for the new deck. Also can you tell us:
-How long you had your first Trex deck
-Where you live (City and State only)
-Any unique environmental factors that you think are at work
-
Thanks
See Trex's Responses in Forum
See http://www.millennialliving.com/forum/104
Just contacted Trex Deck
Wrote them an email since I want them to reply either directly to me or here under comments. Stay tuned
Same Boat
We are in the same boat. Our deck is covered in mold (it is mold, your pictures look the exact same as our deck and we have no trees).
My husband took two days to power wash the deck last year and within two weeks it was back, even worse than before. Are there any solutions to this?
We are as frustrated as all heck. My poor kids can't even crawl around on the deck or walk bare foot as the black mold comes off on their feet. There has got to be a solution. Will any sealer work?
Trex is a terrible product
That staining you referred to may be the pine tree, but more likely is mold embedded in the product.
I also have a Trex deck about 7 years old. There are no over hanging trees, however we have the same problem many people have with mold stains. Best cleaner = Corte Clean
Glenn
And I thought it was the trees!
Thanks for your comment. I just thought it was the Pine trees. Not to worry, I haven't touched them.
Your so right, This is exactly why we installed the deck. I wonder if there are other people with similar problems. Wouldn't mind hearing from Trex on this either. Maybe it was a specific batch or lot that caused problems.
Comments on Trex Deck review
Dear Mr. Russo,
Your Trex Distributor lied. The spotting has absolutely nothing to do with with your Pine Trees. Don't cut them down. I installed our Trex deck in the spring of 2006 and have had to clean these horrible spots three times already with special cleaner which is nothing more than bleach. (Great for our environment).
Our deck looks beautiful right after cleaning but wasn't this why we decided to go with composite decking? The upkeep has more than doubled. We have NO trees and indeed had proper installation. This is the other excuse TREX will give you.
We are so unsatisfied and physically exhausted. We use our deck often and it was so important for it to look good. That's why we took on the extra expense. I'm so disgusted, I could cry!
Karen DiMattei
Baltimore, MD
lighthowse1 at verizon dot net
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