How to stop composite decking stain running?

[TabithaM]

Hi all.

We've recently purchased our first home and it has a huge beautiful deck that runs the length of the house, however we have noticed lately that the colour from it seems to be 'running' (for lack of a better word). 

It sticks to the bottom of our feet and tracks maroon onto our carpets when we come inside, it stains your feet and socks if you step onto the deck without shoes on, and it is running through to the structure boards on the underside of the deck through the gaps (picture below). 

My father in law was the one who told us that the lengths were composite, but in all my research to find a solution for this, I'm finding that the common consensus is that composite wood shouldn't leak colour, so now I don't know what to think!
We really want to try and stop the colour from getting on (literally) everything, so any thoughts or suggestions for a solution would be greatly appreciated! 

Top sideUnderside

[EricL]

Hi @sheilawhittam 

Thank you for providing that extra bit of information regarding your decking. Please allow us to make some inquiries regarding the stock of composite decking back in 2015. As soon as we get more information, we'll get back to you.

Thank you for your patience.

Eric

[sheilawhittam]

Noticing more and more why our light floors inside are getting grey powdery stuff treading inI whiped one flip flop with damp rag.. it comes off shoe onto rag.

[Nailbag]

Hi @sheilawhittam 

There should be nothing coming off a composite deck material itself. There is either a deteriorating issue with the material which would be extremely rare or it's possible the previous owner put a coating on it, which is now weathering off. It will be interesting to hear @EricL findings

Nailbag

[sheilawhittam]

Indeed  we look forward to the findings.  I can tell you quite honestly that nothing has been applied to the surface except water and a mop. . We are the original  owner builder of our home as I said previously on this site. 

[JacobZ]

Hi @sheilawhittam,

I am fairly confident considering the timeframe and look of the board that you have Ekodeck 137 x 23mm 5.4m Greystone Classic Grooved Composite Decking.

Can you measure the width and thickness of the board for me to confirm?

I have reached out to Ekodeck for their guidance and will assist further once I have heard back from them. 

Jacob

[sheilawhittam]

Today 6Jan have been to Bunnings Mt Barker, taken the length we have left over and the clips in our attempts to identify the decking that is deteriorating. 

Trade Desk / Operations Manager.. who has worked in the Trade / Timber Dept for a long time immediately identified our piece as early model Ecodek. yep he says that was the earlier model. 
The Ecodek in stock currently is indeed different. Maybe you can talk to them yourself. 

Thickness 2.5.cm

Width.     14. cm

[JacobZ]

Hi @sheilawhittam,

I have heard back from Ekodeck who don't believe it is one of their products.

I can't say I've ever seen a decking board with those dimensions. Did you mean 14.2cm? Can you upload a photo with your tape measure next to the spare board to confirm?

 

Do you have any photos of the decking clips that were used? This could also help narrow things down.

In the spirit of helping and assisting, Ekodeck's support team have recommend giving the deck a good clean as per their Care & Maintenance guide which involves a thorough scrub with a stiff bristle brush and a rinse with a pressure washer using a fan spray nozzle.

While mopping may remove some dirt, due to the textured nature of the boards, it is unlikely to remove everything. Scrubbing and pressure cleaning will yield far better results.

Once you've provided the details I've requested above, I will assist further.

Jacob

[TabithaM]

Our decking would have been installed around the same time as yours' I think, Sheila! We get maroon stains on EVERYTHING from ours' (light coloured carpet and tiles too) and it looks identical to what you are getting from yours! 

I hope Bunnings can find a solution or answer for this - it is super frustrating and I feel your pain. We even pressure washed ours' and scrubbed it a few weekends ago to see if it would help but it hasn't  

[sheilawhittam]

Dear  Jacob. I made a mistake with measurements. . I meant width 14cm 

I think Stan is going to take a trip to Bunnings with the piece we have and the clips. 

what ever it is it is deteriorating.   Kind regards Sheila 

[sheilawhittam]

Dear Elton King. 

Thankyou for your email Mr King from Ekodek.  You have told me that it isn’t your composite board in your email. But I have some news researching it the best we can: 

We have been to Bunnings Mount Barker, and established from long time employee Operations Manager at the Trade desk.  That the sample we took to him is identified as Ekodek. Composite decking and early model of composite decking. 

We have also found statements for these purchases at Bunnings during 2015 totalling roughly $1900.  Please find photocopies of these statements  on this email. Yours Sincerely Sheila and STan Whittam

I will be making a POST in the Bunnings workshop site of our findings. 

The measurement of the decking I was slightly out as I wrote it incorrectly  is width 14cm. Thickness is 2.5cm