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Although the term "deck" is used in these instructions, Alumi-Fab MNJ, recommends that you follow these same easy instructions for all our Alumi-Step products, be they a doorstep, a deck or an access ramp. Following these simple instructions will ensure your product's safety and durability and will keep it looking new for years and years to come. Ground Levelling: It is very important to set your product on level ground. Once you have chosen the designated area for your installation, you may want to mark the area using a garden hose or some duct tape. A  slight slope away from the house, a minimum of 1" every 15', is recommended
to ensure proper soil drainage.Begin by clearing away the sod and then proceed to levelling the ground. The best tool for levelling is a transit, but, if you do not have a transit, a long, perfectly straight board and a carpenters' level will work fine. The best way to properly level the surface is to start at the lowest ground point within the selected area and dig down to that level. Levelling should NEVER be done by building up lower areas. Doing so will lead to ground settling and will cause your deck to become unlevelled, inducing twisting and straining that could weaken and even break your deck. Such damage is NOT covered under the warranty. We recommend that you do not proceed with installation until the area is within an inch of being perfectly level, the closer you get it now the easier the job will be. Once the levelling is completed, put the deck in place. Verify that it is level. Congratulations, you're now ready to enjoy your new Alumi-Fab deck. (Note: For your convenience, you may want to cover the ground with 6 mil. black polyethylene to prevent weeds from growing.)
As with any deck, it is recommended that you thoroughly wash down your Alumi-Fab deck in the early spring and at the end of fall. You should hose down your deck regularly throughout the summer.
Pollutants such as pollen, dust, dirt and other airborne pollutants, that you may or may not see, accumulate on all surfaces and are easily
washed away using a garden hose. If you wish, you may use any mild household soap to clean your deck, but it is not necessary. To scrub off built-up dust and dirt, a soft
brush or broom and a common deck cleaner can be used. You should always keep gaps free
from debris. Should debris get trapped in gaps, remove as soon as possible to
prevent water from pooling on the surface of your deck.For spring and fall cleanings, Alumi-Fab MNJ recommends that you use Corte Clean. This product is highly effective, 100% biodegradable and fabricated especially for wood flour or any other base composite boards. And, unlike many other deck cleaners that were traditionally made to clean wood decks Corte Clean is non-corrosive to the metal parts of your installation. To learn more about this product, consult their web site at www.corteclean.com. Alumi-Fab is so convinced of the virtues of this product that it is offering a free 3lbs, (1.360kg) package with every product sold before December 1, 2007. This is offer is limited to residential installations only. BACK TO TOP Tips for Spills & Stains: Because accidents do happen. Stains should be dealt with as soon as possible. You should avoid allowing them to penetrate the deck's surface or bake under the sun. To clean a grease or oil stain, just use any common household-degreasing agent or Corte Clean and wash the stain away. Because prevention is still the best medicine, it is recommended to keep a splatter guard under your barbecue grill. BACK TO TOP Mold and Mildew: How to help prevent and clean. All exterior building materials require cleaning. Composite boards and aluminium are no exception. Although composite boards are highly more resistant to mold and mildew than wood, they can occasionally occur and cause staining to your deck. Mold, which is a lower form of plant life, can settle and grow on any surface. Mildew is a form of mold that grows on damp surfaces. Mold spores, which cannot be seen until colonies form, are  easily transported by air currents, insects, animals and water.
For visible colonies to form, mold needs food, moisture, and temperatures between 40 and 90° F.Food for the spores is collected in the form of dirt and debris and can come from something as simple as the overflow from flowerpots and gutters. Moisture, on the other hand, can develop because of clogged gaps. This is why it is recommended to wash down your deck on a regular basis and keep the gaps free of debris. Periodic cleaning of your deck removes dirt that mold feeds on. Should mold colonies appear, clean the spot as soon as it is detected, using Corte Clean deck cleaner. This deck cleaner, contrary to cleansers containing detergent and sodium hypochlorite, more commonly known as bleach helps fight off the return of mold, mildew and fungus in addition to removing the stain when used as indicated. Cleansers containing detergent and sodium hypochlorite can lighten surface colors. To minimize lightening of darker colors, dilute the bleach cleaner with at least 50% water. Always follow all package directions for usage, safety and disposal. And, NEVER mix any other cleaners (ammonia, phosphoric acid, etc.) with bleach or bleach products. Doing so is hazardous to your health and can be very dangerous. BACK TO TOP Rust Stains or Ground-in Dirt:  Because not everything is as weather resistant as Alumi-Step.
Rust stains or ground-in dirt can be removed using a soft brush along with any cleanser containing phosphoric acid.
Test any cleaner, for discoloration, in a small, inconspicuous area before applying to the
entire deck.Corte Clean deck cleaner is highly effective on these stains and can also be used. BACK TO TOP |
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