I definitely agree about composite decks not being totally maintenance-free. I had the same misconception when I first installed mine. Sure, it's way less hassle than wood, but algae and mold still find their way onto it, especially in shaded areas or spots that don't get much airflow.
One thing I've noticed is that the spacing between deck boards can make a big difference. When I first built mine, I went with pretty tight spacing because I liked the look better. But after a couple of rainy seasons, I realized tighter gaps meant water stayed trapped longer, creating perfect conditions for algae growth. Eventually, I widened the gaps slightly to improve drainage and airflow—made a noticeable difference.
Also curious if anyone else has tried oxygen bleach solutions instead of vinegar? I've used both, and while vinegar is great for regular maintenance (and definitely plant-friendly), oxygen bleach seems to do a better job at removing stubborn stains or heavier algae buildup without damaging the composite material. It's still pretty gentle overall, but you do have to rinse thoroughly afterward.
Another thing worth mentioning is checking underneath your deck occasionally. A friend of mine had some structural issues because moisture was getting trapped beneath his deck framing—he didn't notice until he stepped on a soft spot one day. Ever since hearing that story, I've made it a habit to crawl under mine once every year or two just to make sure everything's solid and dry down there.
It's funny how decks seem so straightforward at first glance, but there's always something new to learn or tweak as you go along...
I learned the hard way about checking under decks regularly. Our house is pretty old—built in the 1920s—and when we moved in, the deck looked solid enough. Fast forward a couple years, I'm hosting a barbecue, and my brother-in-law (who's not exactly a lightweight) steps on one particular board and it just... sinks. Not dramatically, but enough to make everyone pause mid-burger bite.
Turns out moisture had been quietly rotting away one of the support beams underneath. I spent the next weekend crawling around under there, flashlight in hand, discovering all sorts of hidden surprises—like a family of raccoons had apparently been using it as their vacation home.
Now I make it a point to do a quick check at least once a year. It's not exactly my favorite chore (spiders seem to love historic homes), but it's better than another awkward barbecue moment. And yeah, composite or wood, decks definitely aren't as "set it and forget it" as we'd like them to be...
I get where you're coming from, but honestly, once a year might be overkill for some decks. If you built it yourself or know exactly what's under there, every couple of years could be fine. I've had mine up for almost a decade now, and I only crawl under if something feels off or after a really harsh winter. But hey, raccoons setting up shop under your deck...that's next-level stuff. Maybe I should reconsider my laid-back approach...
Good points all around. I do think it depends a lot on the deck itself—age, materials, weather conditions, and how it's built. Here's how I usually approach it:
- If it's a newer deck (under 5 years old), checking every couple of years seems totally reasonable. Unless you've had some extreme weather or weird animal activity, you're probably good.
- Older decks (10+ years), especially if they're wood and exposed to harsh winters or lots of moisture, I'd lean toward checking annually. Wood rot can sneak up on you faster than you'd think.
- After any major storm or particularly rough winter, I always do a quick once-over—just takes a few minutes to spot loose boards, popped nails, or any signs of shifting.
- And yeah, wildlife is definitely something to keep an eye out for. My neighbor had a family of skunks move in under their deck last summer. Let's just say they weren't thrilled about it...
I guess my philosophy is: better safe than sorry, but no need to go overboard either. If your deck feels solid, doesn't wobble or creak excessively, and you don't see obvious signs of wear, you're probably fine to space out those checks a bit.
Also, quick tip: whenever you do go under there, it's worth bringing a flashlight and screwdriver along. Give a quick poke at suspect areas—sometimes wood can look okay but be soft underneath. Learned that the hard way a few years back when my foot went straight through what looked like a perfectly good plank...lesson learned.
Anyway, raccoons under the deck sounds like quite the adventure. Hopefully they haven't invited friends over yet...
"Wood rot can sneak up on you faster than you'd think."
Couldn't agree more with this. My house is over a century old, and I've learned the hard way that wood rot doesn't always announce itself clearly. Your tip about bringing a screwdriver along is spot-on—I've poked through more than a few boards that looked perfectly fine at first glance.
I also second your point about wildlife. Had a family of possums move in under my porch last spring. They weren't aggressive or anything, but definitely startled me a few times when I went out at night. Ended up sealing off the entry points after they moved out, and it's been quiet since.
Your approach sounds balanced and practical. No need to obsess over it, but regular checks really do save headaches down the road. Good luck with those raccoons...hopefully they're just passing through!
