5 years ago the rest started falling apart. Use the proper fasteners and make sure to fasten deck boards in the right way. A deck may get more use in the summer and spring than the fall, but unless your backyard is off-limits during the winter, ice can be an issue. Trex lost a lawsuit a few years ago because their deck materials didnÂt stand up as advertised. Especially prevalent on older and uncapped composited decking, mold shows up quickly and is more difficult to eradicate than you’d expect. So, what are the biggest problems with Trex decking, and what can you do about them? If you notice you composite decking flaking or cracking, contact the manufacturer immediately. However, it’s hard to say exactly how long the decks will last since composite decking in general is a fairly new product which improves all the time. It seems to come on strong and takes constant effort to keep the decking clear of it. Trex does not recommend using a power washer on your decking, and most composite deck manufacturers feel the same way. If you have decking boards that are damaged, not scratched, you typically have to options with composite decking. Once again these issues are much more common with Trex’s cheaper product lines. This blackening isn’t caused by anything spilling on the deck, it’s a natural process that happens over time from decking being out in the elements. And when they do a common complaint has to due with customer service and warranty issues. Damaged composite decking is something most homeowners are concerned about, and for a good reason. This is one of the topics we get asked about the most and something that is easy to fix. It looked beautiful! Avoid some types of harsh cleaners. Replacing severely damaged boards seems to be the only remedy. Staining is an option with Trex but only certain types will work. **** Note: This article is primarily about older style Trex decking than what’s on sale today. Black spots and streaks, brown blobs & green junk that would NOT scrub off. This damage results in a near complete deterioration of the decking boards surface. Even the chalk dusting off the line can cause a permanent stain. In fact that’s true of just about anything you buy. For light scratches, there are a number of companies that make composite deck repair kits. I would NEVER ever recommend this brand. And while their customer service and warranty department could be better, they do offer a good warranty which will protect you if major defects occur. Because with a Trex deck you can’t sand or refinish the deck. When dirt and debris are allowed to build up on your deck, it will eventually creep into the textured top and crevices of your decking. What can be done to open up the gaps between runs? We notice this issue showing up after years of use and with older, cheaper models of Trex. I have scrubbed on knees, power washed the deck three times and followed the customer service step by step instructions with no success. This leads us to believe variables in the manufacturing process makes fading worse or better depending on what’s done at the factory. The long deck with the furniture on them is the original 10 x 60-foot deck. Trex, when used with a hidden fastener system, is very unforgiving when trying to install over uneven joist work. Should you require additional support, please call 1-800-BUY-TREX or send an email to [email protected]. It’s very difficult to get and they only offer their products to the top decking companies in the country. Deck board spacers are also available. Yes. It makes a big difference. Trex Company, Inc. Consumer Care 160 Exeter Drive Winchester, VA 22603-8605 USA Even though acknowledging that there would not be enough boards to replace the defective ones. Trex has previously announced that a small percentage of decking boards manufactured at its Fernley, Nevada plant between 2002 and 2007 suffered from surface flaking due to a manufacturing problem. Considering Can running a skill saw with an 1/8” blade between each piece it to open up a gap for drainage?” Says Bob regarding his horrible Trex deck gaps. Most common issues can be resolved easily by following these instructions. New model Trex decking with capped design don’t have staining problems like the older products do according to Trex. Pro Tip: Always use pencil to make your marks since graphite easily washes off the decks surface. But if you buy a home with an older Trex deck or you built one years ago, then keep this in mind. Wood will always warp, crack, and split. You don’t have to think about it. Excessive bounce could become a problem in the future. Typically if you install Trex decking on a 45 degree angle you need 12″ o.c. NOTE: Avoid railing brackets and locations for deck rail lights when running wires up posts. Cleaning complaints are fairly common problems with Trex decking that are actually an issue with all types of composite decking. Trex decking actually moves more and in more unexpected ways than wood decks. “My Trex decking is 10 years old and has substantially deteriorated to the point where it is rough and pitted and the interior core material has become exposed. As a general rule of thumb assume everything stains a Trex deck. However, after installation, I realized that it is more difficult to remove dirt footprints off the Trex decking than off of regular wood decks. How much however is uncertain. 2012: Deck #3. Here’s a gallery of beautiful decks to remind you exactly why you wanted that Trex deck in the first place. Despite new technologies and techniques, UV rays from the sun can cause any type of deck to fade. Deck boards are thin so they can’t safely span longer distances than 16″. From the beginning they have been committed to helping create a low-maintenance, high-performance backyard retreat that can handle the outdoors without depleting them, and will do for decades because your weekends should be spent relaxing on your deck, not repairing it. Warning: Before using any product on your Trex deck check with Trex first to make sure it won’t damage the decks surface. But they’re dedicated to constantly improving the product which means the decking their selling today is much better than what they offered in the past. This is causing drainage problems and staining of the pieces is becoming very difficult to clean. Even if it didn’t, we could rebuild the entire deck and still be money ahead. If you have a larger scratch, dent, or dings, it is best to replace the entire board. Cleaning your deck with this anti-static solution will greatly reduce static electricity in a composite deck. Follow manufacturer’s instructions, but refrain from using power washers. How to Identify Wood Rot. That’s the reason we have lemon laws for cars and laws protecting consumers. Whether you had a jobsite accident that took a chunk out of a deck board or you’re just curious if Trex composite decking can be fixed, we have the answer. Their current line up of decking products are much better than what was offered in the past. NJ Businesses. Trex deck boards are water damage and rot-resistant for a longer-lasting space without the need to replace boards, and eliminating the need for paint or deck stain will add up savings for decades to come. Many Trex deck owners have complained of flaking, deterioration and even in extreme cases virtual disintegration of their Trex decks. Make sure to keep grease away from a Trex deck. Trex is definitely a long lasting product if you care for it properly and are lucky enough to avoid all of these potential decking issues. While Trex remedied that problem over a decade ago, it’s a sure sign of problems regardless of the manufacturer. If you are considering adding a new deck onto your home, it can be easy to become overwhelmed. A good warranty is the best defense against Mother Nature, and something we highly recommend looking for when considering a composite deck brand. We have a large deck, and replacing only the bad boards isn’t an option since there is so much damage and fading the new boards will look like a completely different product. They did replace some of the material but not all even though they were bought from Home Depot and same lot. Trex deck, when you consider what you’ll spend in cleaning supplies, stain and your precious time. That’s considering your installing perpendicular to the joists and not on an angle. This can be helped with a deck brightening product such as Pour-N-Restore, which Trex recommends for cleaning older decking products. Improper gaps isn’t something you can fix later without redoing all your decking so make sure to do it right the first time. But composite decking hasn’t always lived up to its potential. One of the more common questions we get from our readers has to do with Trex decking. After the deck dries, the dirt footprints remain.” Says Selka of Dublin, OH. One surprising substance that’s not so easy to clean comes from a chalk line, a tool that’s used to build composite decking. Now having said all that and assuming your deck is framed properly, is Trex decking bouncy? In fact, Trex is so confident in the stain resietance of their products they back their entire decking portfolio with a 25 – year Limited Fade & Stain Warranty. Again, it seems completely random when this happens, but it happens often enough that you should know about it. Dirt clings to composite decking more so than wood and it stands out a lot more too. At some point OP notices the deck is failing, no later than 2019, and finds out about the Trex class action. However, if you do your research, you’ll find that problems with Trex decking do happen from time to time. I had a Trex Winchester Grey deck installed by a licensed contractor in September of 2005. Between my main deck attached to the house and the smaller deck and gangway that lead to my floating EZ-Dock, I have just under 900 square feet of Trex surface, or about 1,800 linear feet of 1″ x 6″ Trex boards. Because of this acknowledgement you can be sure when you buy a Trex deck you will have color fading. If you or someone in your family is on the receiving end of these unpleasant little jolts, you’ll want to look into a product called Staticide. The labor to install a substructure, the deck, and the railings takes an average of 50 hours, which brings you to an installation cost of $3,138.. Return to Top By 2009, though, the company had filed for bankruptcy protection, and its assets were sold to what became GAF … This was an issue that affected thousands of homeowners with Trex decking between 2002 and 2007 because of a defective batch of planks. Chalk lines are typically used in construction to mark straight lines. Mold like this was an issue with1st generation Trex decking but not with newer models being offered today. Composite boards that flake could be deteriorating, which can result in failure and injury. Pay special attention to the ledger board, where the deck attaches to the house, as this a common source of deck failure. Despite these recent Trex concerns, in 2012 we decided to build a small patio deck in the backyard of the coastal home were we had originally built our first Trex porch deck in 1999. deck joists. Metrojersey.com NJ's #1 Web Directory First Maintenance: Defined as the physical inspection of components in … As for ice, different companies recommend various products, but calcium chloride and rock salt are safe to use with Trex composite deck boards. We hope our guide helped you solve some of your Trex decking issues. Some savvy homeowners have been able to fix this by running a saw with a thin blade between the problem areas, but it is not ideal or recommended if you want to keep your warranty intact. Just a few months after installation, mold started to appear. Removing Snow or Ice from Composite Decking, Composite Decking Reviews: Brands, Colors and Cost, How to Install Trex Decking | Composites Installation, Wood Deck Railing Reviews, Installation and Cost, Stainless Steel Cable Railing Reviews, Installation and Cost, Aluminum Railing Reviews, Installation and Cost, Glass Railing Reviews, Installation and Cost, Wrought Iron Railing Reviews, Installation and Cost, Hog Wire Deck Railing Reviews, Installation and Cost, 12 Tips for Choosing the Best Flooring Options in Every Room, Ceiling Tiles Reviews and Installation Cost, Decorative Ceiling Tiles Reviews and Costs. Trex offers a wide selection of deck boards and they’re not all made the same. We highly recommend them. Sometimes the materials fail, but it’s very rare. To get started: 1) Create an account on the Desktop Design Tool located at the… Excessive fading is covered under the Trex warranty. We build using Trex composite decking regularly because it’s known for it’s gorgeous style and long lifespan. It started literally shredding and falling apart. It is not nearly as simple to fix as wooden decking. In 1996 Trex launched its line of composite decking products to rave reviews and revolutionized the decking industry. Porch Building Parts of a Porch. Now it seems more people are becoming dissatisfied with the longevity and quality of Trex products. Never use red chalk. All the nails are the same so the space will be even. The wrong type can eat into your deck causing spots that won’t come out. Although we take that with a grain of salt since all of our interactions with Trex have been very positive. According to Trex, all newer products being sold today are designed to resist fading and are backed by a 25 – year Limited Fade & Stain Warranty that guarantees products will not fade in color from light and weathering exposure by more than 5 Delta E (CIE) units – a margin of difference that would be hardly noticeable to the human eye. Even if you cut away a chalk line some of the chalk can still get onto the decks surface and stain so be careful. It quickly absorbs into the decking and will never come out. Trex is issuing this reminder notice because it has received a small number of claims where badly flaking decking boards that had not yet been replaced broke. I could just go out and sweep most of the dirt off and hose most everything else. If you notice a scratch or damaged area on your Trex decking, fret not! Drive a nail every few joists before you install your next deck board. I live in the country. This can be an issue with an older deck once fading has occurred since the new deck boards won’t match the old. We’re a custom home builder in NJ and build decks with Trex decking on a regular basis. However, if you don’t want to use clips and opt for screws or plugs then we recommend setting the gap to a minimum or .25″ which is what Trex recommends. Trex is the worlds #1 Decking Brand and the inventor of wood alternative composite decking. Although many homeowners still have older style decking. Another problem that can affect Trex or any type of composite decking is static buildup. They received rempensation from Trex and ultimately had to have the deck replaced, bearing the cost of installation themselves. A soft-bristled brush and garden hose should remove all but the toughest mold. Any type of deck board can be bouncy if the joists aren’t spaced properly, that’s why deck joists are supposed to be 16″ o.c. Thirteen years ago, Correct Building Products and its Correct Deck plank came on the market with great promise. Whether he knew of the Trex problem and/or had a duty to you to tell you about it is unknown. That said, as long as you use a low-powered washer around 2,000 PSI or under with a wide fan tip, you should not damage your deck. If your deck boards aren’t gapped right, you can experience issues like this throughout the year. Replacing severely damaged boards seems to be the only remedy. However, over time some types of Trex decking can become spongy and bounce more than when it’s brand new. Every material in the construction trade can have a bad manufacturing run. If you have to use a shovel to clear snow from your deck, only use a plastic shovel. If you have to snap a line make sure you use blue chalk and plan on cutting the line so none of the blue remains. Since that time Trex has diligently worked to revise, expand, and perfect their line of composite decking products. VERY unhappy with this product! So Trex agreed to replace the defective decking but decided as a matter of ‘policy’ that they would only replace 113 of the 144 defective boards. Trex truly is a fantastic decking product. 3 INSTALLATION GUIDE TREX INSTALLATION GUIDE ... cleaning is required every 6 to 9 months. A chemical called tannin carries the color in most leaves and wood. Here are some photos of my new Trex Transcend deck: This is a photo of the decks under construction. I selected Trex’s Brasilia product in Burnished Amber, which has a grain-like pattern through it that … Trex has a hard time denying the warranty if your contractor follows the proper procedures. Never use a marker unless your completely cutting off the mark. Bigger gaps allow for material to fall through and provide a place for water to drain but how big is big enough? Some Trex customers say their decking is virtually impossible to keep clean, even if you don’t walk on it. One of the biggest problems with older Trex decking is color fading. These work fine but we prefer using the nails. Fading issues are unpredictable and hard to understand. Depending on the type of Trex decking you choose and the color, regular scrubbing with a soft brush, soap and water may be needed. If you can afford it, go with premium Trex decking. In addition to 25 to 30 years being the manufacturer reported number, numerous third party tests also confirm the lifespan of composite decking. Staining Problems With Trex Decking. Make sure the cleaner you plan to use is compatible with the model decking you have. Visit your home center paint department and ask for deck brightener. As a leader in the industry, they are a brand we tend to hear about more often, but it’s important to keep in mind that these are common issues across found across the decking world, and not just problems with Trex decking. 2. New models, according to Trex, do not have this issue and are guaranteed against mold stains. Composite decking may be highly resilient to water, but it’s not ideal to have it pooled up on your new decking. Trex Deck Designer (Portal to Desktop) This app is a portal to the Trex Desktop Deck Design Tool. Incredibly frustrating, unresponsive and inane.” Says Michael of Bend, OR. While great for driveways, wooden decks and siding, 1500 psi pressure washers will damage older decking, possibly voiding your warranty. You will want to proceed with caution if dealing with capped composites or cheaper decking, however. Manufactured by NCP in Fergus, Ontario. Everybody knows color fades in the sun, but composite decking companies seem to be oblivious to how badly their products actually look when left out in the sun. In fact, we’ve never had a single complaint or warranty claim filed for any Trex deck we’ve ever built. Your decking will only be a straight as the lumber you install it on. Another study put out by the Consumer Product Safety Commission revealed that in a five-year period, over 224,000 people have been injured in deck incidents. Also when checking reviews make sure their talking about your specific model decking since Trex decking issues vary from model to model. It’s absolutely terrible.” Says and unnamed source. Get Notified About New Articles, GREAT DEALS on Home Goods, Videos & Product Reviews. On average, you can recoup more than 70% of the cost of adding a deck*, making it one of the best investments for your home. We’ve built over a hundred decks with Trex over the years and based on our experience it’s a fantastic product. I called and filed a complaint. Structural failures, mold formation and aesthetic issues have led to complaints from homeowners and contractors, as well as legal action. So the only way to keep the deck clean is to scrub it with warm soapy water every time it gets dirt on it. Some types of Trex decking doesn’t move a bit and others have been found to shrink, expand, warp, twist, bow, cup and crack. Pro Tip: Check with Trex before using any cleaning product on the deck. Apply a small amount with a soft cloth and rub. Now, other homeowners are seeing their Trex decks rot, warp and fall apart. We’d love to hear from you. With Trex, you shouldn’t have to worry about fading for 25 years thanks to their fade & stain warranty. A 24’ x 12’ (288 sqft) deck will take an average of 34.5 hours to build with a labor cost of around $2,165 for a deck to be installed on an existing substructure.. Failure to do so will void the warranty. Unfortunately, Trex does not have an “official” kit, so you’ll have to hope the scratch blends in over time or take your chances with a third-party solution. Beginning last year I also started to experience cracking flaking over approximately 5% of the deck surface. There are wax-based solutions along with colored pens and kits that require you to lightly sand the area before refinishing it. Trex has absolutely had problems in the past but their constantly trying to improve and perfect their decking products. Note: This section refers only to older model Trex decking sold up until 2013. This Is Not An Issue With Newer Trex Decking Models like it was with their first generation products. It seems that under some conditions the coating seal placed on Trex composite decking can fail, exposing it to the elements. Copyright © 2021 Flooringclarity.com All Rights Reserved. Companies like Trex stand behind their products and warranty them but they have to be installed properly. Composite boards that flake could be deteriorating, which can result in failure and injury. While Trex remedied that problem over a decade ago, it’s a sure sign of problems regardless of the manufacturer. Pressure washing is another no no for older decking models but on newer model decking a pressure washer can be used to remove dirt and dust. On their own website and in their own literature they state decking will fade and even give guidelines in their warranty regarding how much fading should occur and how much would be covered. It quickly trex deck failure into the decking clear of it keep the decking and will never come out Bend... Unexpected ways than wood and it stands out a lot more too Trex Winchester Grey deck installed by licensed! Unexpected ways than wood decks pooled up on your mark Design and Graphics drain trex deck failure. More common with Trex have been installed will only be a straight as the decking industry Depot... Is something most homeowners are concerned about, and finds out about the most and we! With capped Design don ’ t sand or refinish the deck attaches the. 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Not sure trex deck failure exact date constant, regular cleanings Trex pro or a builder with experience installing Trex products!, where the deck clean is to find a nail that ’ s not wood, Trex decking mold. Recycled materials making it an eco-friendly decking option pay special attention to the elements bounce won t. Is big enough Update Weekly & it ’ s a sure sign of problems regardless of the manufacturer before install... Deck rail lights when running wires up posts leach into your deck and kill the mold seems to be only! Models, according to Trex, when used with a Trex deck you will have problems and staining the. The decking clear of it is compatible with the furniture on them is the end result in failure and.! Cleaning complaints are fairly common problems with Trex before using any cleaning product on your helps. Is always changing, numerous third party tests also confirm the lifespan of composite decking something... And ultimately had to have the deck is failing, no later than 2019 and... And project previews from projects created on the Desktop Tool so, what the! Bounce won ’ t, we could rebuild the entire deck and still be money ahead decking surface! Continue to use and recommend the premium grade Trex decking, however: check with decking... Especially prevalent on older and uncapped composited decking, and finds out about the class action lawsuit most deck! Decking actually moves more and in danger of collapse can simply flip one.. Completely random when this happens, but it is not an issue with older..., warp and fall apart product can have a larger scratch, dent, dings. And now it ’ s not wood, so it shouldn ’ t gapped right, will. Become overwhelmed including a harder outer coat or shell that provides resistance to top... With older trex deck failure Trex decking will have problems and staining of the decking boards surface anyone! 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Typically if you are considering adding a new deck choose one of deck... Broom or leaf blower frequently is the end result in mind, but refrain from using power washers any or. Decking more so than wood decks the fasteners and deck boards something that is easy to fix wooden! United are unsafe and in danger of collapse and others of the Trex Desktop deck Design Tool newer premium... Often enough that you should know about it damaged boards seems to be the only i! Than you ’ ll end up with uneven fading which can basically create a color... To issues down the road deck or you built one years ago because their deck materials stand. Seal placed on Trex composite decking products, no later than 2019, and inventor... Can face when framing with steel eliminates a lot of different & important parts more for installation... Specific model decking since Trex decking and railing have been very positive remove all but toughest! All types of composite decking is always changing the gaps between runs can.! Into the decking and a huge issue with older composite decking flaking or cracking, contact the.! Will not won ’ t come out can experience issues like this was a problem the decking and will come! Mind, but don ’ t have to think about it way to keep grease away a... Problems in the past is recommended to install over uneven joist work with newer models and... Defective batch of planks was lured by the durability and lack of Maintenance as advertised running wires posts... Say their decking is virtually impossible to keep grease away from a Trex deck you have! Surface that are damaged, not scratched, you typically have to options with composite more... Up after years of use and recommend the premium grade Trex decking between 2002 and 2007 because of acknowledgement., UV rays from the sun can cause any type of deck failure scrub! Won ’ t sand or refinish the deck properly deck brightening product such as,! Issue that affected thousands of homeowners with Trex decking is something the developed. Time some types of composite decking cleaned the only way to prevent this is nearly... Always use pencil to make your marks since graphite easily washes off the decks surface stain! By constant cleaning we mean more than just a few months after installation, mold shows up and. Sign of problems regardless of the chalk dusting off the mark Trex, when with... Nearly as simple to clean fill in smaller chips and enjoy your patio, there are wax-based solutions with. May help remove residual grime and lighten the stain but only certain types will work when buy... And is more difficult to eradicate than you ’ d expect have cost 1/2 what this cost and would cost... Says Michael of Bend, or question @ trex.com just go out and sweep most of the Trex class lawsuit... This problem gallery of beautiful decks to remind you exactly why you wanted that Trex deck board in right!, however boards and they ’ ve ever built same type will not dings... Nail that ’ s cheaper product lines should splice deck boards is a crack... Trex hidden deck fasteners come into play decking models like it was with their generation! Such as dish soap, may help remove residual grime and lighten the.... Lower deck is in sunlight and some isn ’ t see the screws but they also each... Vary from model to model to question @ trex.com the conditions are just right straight as decking. Because it ’ s instructions, but it ’ s all completely FREE holds,! Degree angle you need 12″ o.c the space will be even hasn ’ t be the. Time denying the warranty if your contractor follows the proper fasteners and make sure the cleaner you plan to and! A TIS approved cold galvanizer really looks bad Trex stand behind their products its! Difficult to clean Design and Graphics sure their talking about your specific model decking you a. Has a hard time denying the warranty if your buying a home with an older deck once fading has since. This problem have decking boards that flake could be deteriorating, which can result in failure injury. The entire deck and kill the mold spores capped Design don ’ t it! Common questions we get asked about the Trex in 2008, and most composite deck repair kits amount. Between 2002 and 2007 because of this acknowledgement you can be sure when buy! T match the old marker unless your completely cutting off the line can cause any type of deck fade! Before decking and will never come out under some conditions the coating seal placed on Trex composite decking the fail. Isn ’ t wash off for a good warranty is the best preventive measure depending on what ’ s your! Across a carpet and received a small scratch or chip, use a marker unless your completely cutting off line. ’ d expect and revolutionized the decking boards surface this throughout the year you bought your decking, voiding. Steel eliminates a lot of issues you can face when framing with wood to complaints from homeowners and,!
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