ChoiceDek has a mildew problem

In March 2005 we had a deck put in using ChoiceDek instead of traditional wood. We didn't want to waste time resealing it every year. ChoiceDek is sold by Lowes and is advertised with the following features:

• Versatile with no Splinters
• Durable
• Water Proof
• Environmentally Friendly
• "ChoiceDek does not require chemical dipping, preservative treatments or water sealing."
• Rot/Termite Resistant
• "The unique composition of ChoiceDek makes it virtually impervious to rot and termites."
• Easy to Work
• Warranted
• "ChoiceDek is backed by the Weyerhaeuser name and a limited lifetime warranty."

Well less than a year later I started to notice black spots on the deck. Our deck sits on the south side of our home. So it's in the sun most of the day. Now in a little over a year the deck is covered with black splotches.

The ChoiceDek site acknowledges this problem in the first sentence of their Cleaning page
"Cleaning
Mold and mildew are naturally occurring parts of the environment in which we live. ..."
... "Periodic cleaning of your deck, even if it "appears" clean, is important to prevent the buildup of pollen/dirt/debris which can be food source for mold and mildew."

Same problem with Trex.

So much for low maintenance. Something to add to our monthly list - at this rate sealing a deck once a year sound less of a time waster. Let's see if this deck lasts longer than the usual 3-5 years for a regular wood deck.

TAGS: Choice Dek | Trex | deck | product review