Every spring we get calls from homeowners across Toronto and the GTA asking the same question: “What do I need to do to my composite deck now that winter is over?”
Good news. If you’ve got composite or PVC decking, spring maintenance is way easier than wood. You’re not sanding. You’re not staining. You’re not worrying about boards warping or cracking.
But there are still a handful of things worth checking every spring – especially after a Toronto winter. We had some nasty freeze-thaw cycles this year, and that can show up in a few ways. Here’s exactly what to look at and what to do.
Step 1 – Start With a Good Sweep and Clear-Out
Before you do anything else‚ get out the broom or leaf blower and sweep off the deck․ Leaves‚ dirt‚ winter sand‚ pine needles‚ whatever has blown in over the past few months․ Get it all up․
If you’re using composite or PVC decking‚ observe the expansion gap between deck boards to allow for drainage and proper installation․ They are generally sloped‚ and when clogged with debris‚ are subject to the formation of stains or mildew from standing water over time․
If your deck has a lot of buildup sitting in the grooves‚ a flat putty knife or deck board cleaning tool may be helpful․ Stay away from metal tools that might scratch the board‚ and try a plastic tool instead․
Check under the stairs‚ and especially in the corners of your home․ More dirt and moisture amass there than anywhere else․ For example‚ leaves that sat there all winter‚ especially if they were wet‚ could stain any composite․
Step 2 – Wash the Deck (the Right Way)
Composite and PVC decks should not be cleaned with harsh chemicals‚ and using such cleaners may damage the decking or void a warranty․
- However‚ there’s a workaround for this:
- Warm water and a mild dish soap (regular Dawn works great)
- A soft bristle scrub brush or deck brush with medium nylon bristles
- A garden hose for rinsing
Scrub in the direction of the board grain – same direction the wood pattern runs. Scrubbing across the grain can leave visible marks on some products.
If you have TimberTech decking, they make their own TimberTech DeckCleaner which is safe, bleach-free and biodegradable. Worth having around. For other brands, check the care guide that came with your product – or call the manufacturer to confirm what’s approved.
A few things to avoid: never use bleach on composite. Never use undiluted deck brightener or strippers made for wood. And be careful with pressure washers – a fan tip nozzle at maximum 1,500 psi is okay for rinsing, but don’t hold the nozzle close to the board surface or you risk raising the cap layer.
What About Stubborn Stains?
Oil from a BBQ drip? Grease stain from something that fell? Most stubborn stains on composite respond well to a composite-specific cleaner and a bit of scrubbing.
The key is to deal with stains fast. Fresh stains are much easier to remove than ones that have baked into the surface all summer. If you spill something, clean it up same day.
For really tough stains – rust from a patio chair, mold from a corner that doesn’t get much sun – ask your deck builder or the product manufacturer for the approved treatment. Don’t experiment with random products because some can discolor the surface permanently.
Step 3 – Check Your Railings and Stairs
Even on composite decks‚ your railings and stairs deserve a careful look each spring․ Inspections are as much about safety as they are about beauty․
Go around each piece of railing and give it a solid push‚ to be sure that it doesn’t move․ If it moves more than a tiny bit‚ check the posts where they attach to the deck frame‚ as that’s often where loose railings originate from․
Walk your stairs slowly and check for bounce‚ as each individual stair tread can work itself loose‚ especially during the winter months․ A loose stair tread is a slip-and-fall waiting to happen‚ especially in the early spring when the mornings are still cold and damp․
If you have glass railing panels‚ check the glass clips and standoffs‚ and wash the glass panels․ Mineral deposits and dirt left over from winter will be visible in spring’s sunshine․
Step 4 – Look Closely at the Frame (Even If You Can’t See All of It)
Your composite boards might look perfect. But what’s underneath matters too.
If your deck has accessible underside space, get under there with a flashlight. Look at the joists, beams, and ledger board. You’re looking for:
- Soft spots or discoloration in pressure treated lumber (early rot sign)
- Any splitting or cracking in wood framing
- Evidence of insect activity – small piles of sawdust near wood framing
- Rusted screws, bolts or post bases
- Any areas where water is pooling instead of draining
If you have the newer OC Lumber composite framing (something we now offer at Decksforlife), you likely won’t find any of these issues – that’s the whole point. But if you’re on standard pressure treated framing, especially if the deck is more than 8 or 10 years old, give it a careful look every spring.
The ledger board – the piece that connects your deck to the house – is especially important. If the flashing around the ledger has failed, water can get behind it and cause rot in the house structure, not just the deck. If you see any water staining or discoloration where the deck meets the house, that’s worth calling a professional about.
Step 5 – Look at Your Deck Boards Up Close
Now walk the deck slowly and look at the boards. On composite and PVC decking you’re not looking for rot like you would on wood. But there are a few things to check:
- Surface scratches from winter shoveling – deep scratches are hard to fix but light ones are often just in the cap layer and less noticeable once clean
- Any board ends that have lifted or shifted – this can happen if clips or fasteners worked loose
- Areas where the board grain looks white or bleached – this is often ice melt residue and will usually clean up with a good wash
- Mold or mildew in shaded corners – composite resists it but doesn’t completely eliminate it in areas with no airflow
One thing you absolutely don’t want to do on composite decking: sand it. Ever. Sanding removes the protective cap layer that makes composite work the way it does. If a board is scratched badly, replacement is usually the right call. If you’re in warranty period, contact your manufacturer – scratches from improper snow removal (like with metal shovels) can sometimes be covered.
Step 6 – Check Your Deck for Any Missing or Damaged Flashing
Flashing is the metal or membrane material that prevents water from getting into the spots where your deck connects to other structures. Around where your ledger meets the house. Under the deck boards near the house. Around any post bases sitting on concrete.
Flashing failures are one of the most common causes of deck damage in Toronto and the GTA. We see it constantly on older builds. Water gets in, sits, and causes rot in the house wall or the framing.
This is harder to inspect yourself unless you know what you’re looking at. If you have any concerns, it’s worth having a deck contractor take a look. Fixing flashing early is cheap. Fixing rot damage late is very expensive.
When Do You Actually Need to Call a Deck Contractor?
Most spring maintenance on a composite or PVC deck you can absolutely handle yourself. Clean it, inspect it, and tighten any loose screws. That’s probably 80% of what needs doing.
But call a professional when:
- Any railing or stair feels loose or unstable
- You find soft spots, rot, or evidence of insect damage in the framing
- There’s any question about the ledger attachment to the house
- Boards are lifting, buckling, or no longer lying flat
- You’re seeing water damage or staining where the deck meets the house wall
At Decksforlife, our deck contractor team does deck repair and inspection across all of Toronto and the GTA. We can come out and do a proper assessment, and if it’s something small we’ll tell you exactly what it is and what it’ll take to fix. We’re not going to invent problems that aren’t there.
What About PVC Decks Specifically?
Unlike composite decking‚ PVC decking (100% plastic‚ with no wood fiber) is lower maintenance‚ is fully waterproof‚ does not mold or rot‚ and is less prone to staining․
In spring‚ the PVC is swept and washed with soap and water‚ with a check on the hardware and the railings․ That’s it. There are no special cleaners required, though the manufacturer may have recommendations for their specific product.
PVC is especially popular for pool decks in Aurora, Newmarket, and Markham where the decking gets constant water exposure. It handles it better than anything else. Check your PVC deck boards in spring for any scratches from snow removal equipment or any debris that’s been sitting since fall.
A Quick Word on Wood Decks
If you still have a pressure treated or cedar deck, spring maintenance is a more involved job. You’re looking at:
- Full sweep and cleaning
- Checking boards for rot, spongy spots, and splitting
- Sanding down rough surfaces and splinters
- Re-staining or re-sealing – every 2 to 3 years minimum
- Checking and tightening all hardware
This is a significant time and money commitment. If your wood deck is more than 10 to 15 years old and you’re spending another $1,000+ on staining this spring, it might be worth getting a quote for a composite replacement. The math often works out better than people expect.
Call (647) 701-3206 or visit decksforlife․ca to discuss your project․ Free estimates available throughout Scarborough‚ North York‚ Etobicoke‚ Vaughan‚ Richmond Hill‚ Markham‚ Mississauga‚ Brampton‚ Ajax‚ Pickering‚ Whitby and Oshawa․ Discuss your needs with our deck builders․
