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Top 5 Steps on How to Maintain Your Flexiteek Deck
Your Flexiteek deck offers the luxurious look of traditional teak while requiring minimal maintenance, making it an increasingly popular choice among boat owners. Proper maintenance of your Flexiteek deck goes beyond just preserving its aesthetic appeal, but also extends the longevity of your deck and ensures its continued performance.
A well-maintained deck can prevent costly repairs and replacements by addressing minor issues before they become major problems. Additionally, it helps preserve the value of your investment, keeping your boat in top condition for longer. Regular care and maintenance also contribute to safety on board, reducing the risk of slippery surfaces and potential hazards.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through five essential steps to keep your deck clean and provide tips to maintain it in top condition. Following this simple and effective maintenance routine, you can keep your Flexiteek deck looking pristine and functioning optimally, allowing you to fully enjoy your time on the water.
How to keep your deck clean in 5 steps!
Our five step care program is designed to provide an appropriate level of intervention for every problem.
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Step 1: Use Clean Fresh Water
Daily life on your boat will inevitably result in general spillages involving foods such as ketchup and drinks like red wine, that if left, can prove more time consuming to remove.
- Rinse and Dry: Ensure you rinse and wipe away excess water to prevent any residual staining.
- Absorb Spills: Quickly blot up any liquid with a cloth
- Clean with Warm Water: Use warm water to clean the area gently, following the grain of the deck to prevent spreading the stain.
- For Tough Stains: Try methylated spirits (pH-neutral) or biodegradable baby wipes.
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Step 2: Dealing with Difficult Spillages
Sometimes stains and spills can require a little more effort. Especially things like oil, diesel and petrol.
In this case use a pH-Neutral Cleaner apply a diluted pH-neutral detergent, such as the recommended Wash and Care product, directly to the stain.
- Allow to sit: Let the detergent work into the stain for a few minutes.
- Rinse Thoroughly: After treatment, rinse the area well and wipe away any remaining detergent with a clean cloth.
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Step 3: Using a Scotch Brite Pad
A Scotch Brite Pad can help with persistent stains.
- Wet Cleaning: Use water or a diluted pH-neutral cleaner to moisten the area.
- Scrub with Care: Gently scrub the affected area along the grain of the Flexiteek. Avoid scrubbing too hard near the caulking.
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Step 4: Using a Pressure Washer
Pressure washing (also known as Jet Washing) can be a great way to get a deep clean with less of the “scrub”. Here are some important considerations before starting.
- Select the Right Equipment: Use a pressure washer with a maximum pressure of 135 bar. Maintain a distance of around 20 cm from the deck surface.
- Wash with the Grain: Start from the top of the deck and work down, following the direction of the grain.
- Remove Excess Water: After washing, use a clean cloth, broom, or squeegee to remove any standing water and ensure excess water is removed.
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Step 5: Sand the Affected Area
f a stubborn stain persists, you can sand your deck.
Sanding Small Areas: Use 60 grit sandpaper to sand the affected area along the grain. Rinse with fresh water and dry thoroughly.
Professional Sanding: Do not use power sanders on Flexiteek. Sanding larger areas is a specialist job and requires a trained Flexiteek professional to do this. Your Flexiteek distributor is qualified to offer a sanding service. We’d always suggest using a Flexiteek expert to have this service done for you.
Important Cleaning Considerations
Using pH-Neutral Cleaners
The most important consideration with any deck cleaner is to ensure it is a pH-neutral (pH7) product. All pH-neutral products need to be used in temperatures below 30 degrees. This ensures when your maintenance on your Flexiteek deck it doesn’t get damaged by chemicals, solvents and acids that are aggressive, especially in hotter temperatures.
Avoid Residue
Never let cleaners dry on the deck surface. Always wash off residue with plenty of fresh water.
Temperature
Be aware that the temperature for using some products refers to the temperature of the deck rather than the air.
Cleaning Products to Avoid
- Harmful Chemicals: Avoid cleaners with acids (e.g., oxalis, phosphoric, sulphuric, hydrochloride, acetic or citric, to name a few of the ones found in cleaning solutions) or those designed for teak and wood decks.
- Product Labels: Check ingredient lists to ensure the product is pH-neutral and safe for Flexiteek. Be wary of general deck cleaners offered in chandleries, many of which contain a variety of ingredients which may bleach or discolour your Flexiteek deck, even when diluted correctly.
Protecting Your Flexiteek Deck from Damage
Here are some important considerations to protect your deck further:
SHOES
Do not wear high-heeled shoes and be mindful that many shoe types with rubber or plastic soles can leave scuff marks.
HOT OBJECTS
Do not place hot objects, pans and BBQs directly on your Flexiteek deck, as these will mark the surface and could cause permanent damage.
HEAVY OR POINTED OBJECTS
Do not place heavy objects with narrow or pointed legs, such as furniture, on your Flexiteek deck without a pad or coaster underneath. Such objects will leave small indentations or darker marks on the deck or could cause permanent damage.
MOVING OBJECTS ON YOUR DECK
Try to avoid dragging objects across the deck as this may cause marking, which could need to be sanded out. If this does occur, try using a Scotch-Brite pad in line with the grain.
Recommended Cleaning Solutions
Check out our list of harmful cleaners that we advise against using on your deck. We understand that the list might seem extensive, but don’t worry—there are safe alternatives available. To ensure you choose a suitable product , consider purchasing from your local Flexiteek Distributor, where you’ll find cleaning solutions that are specifically approved for deck care.
In conclusion, maintaining the appearance and longevity of your Flexiteek deck is straightforward with the right approach. Regular cleaning and following our maintenance tips will ensure your deck remains beautiful and functional for years to come. For any questions or additional support, our website FAQ section is available 24/7, or you can contact your Flexiteek distributor for further assistance.
To further assist you in keeping your synthetic decking in top shape, download our Flexiteek cleaning guide today.