cedar deck has strange problem

16 years ago

We spent over $20thousand on a large cedar deck over the old concrete porch floor. Contractor told us it would naturally "weather". After the first winter snow it was covered with fuzzy white fibers which were ghastly to clean off. Contractor told us something must have blown onto deck from trees or bushes....and to scrub it off with stiff brush. We pressure washed and scrubbed for hours (and days)and did get this stuff off. Some boards began to split and raise knots. Now after a second winter it is even worse with the same white stuff that seems to be coming out of the wood itself. What should we do?

We have aluminum posts and railings so at least don't have to deal with them. We are planning an even bigger deck at back and same contractor (we have committed to this) recommends a non-wood product. What questions should I ask?

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Comments (3)

bigmommax8
Original Author
16 years ago
Oh, this is a north facing deck about 150 back from a gravel road if that makes any difference. The porch overhangs about half of the deck but the fuzzy white stuff is consistant across the whole surface.
eagle100
16 years ago
Can you post some pictures?
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bigmommax8
Original Author
16 years ago
I can try - wish my son was home - he's the photographer! The contractor tells me today to rent a floor sander and go over the whole deck, not to use a pressure washer, and then get someone to stain and seal it. He is planning to do our back deck in solid plastic planks - still waiting for a quote on this. Has put in 50 composite decks in last 5 years but one of them has gone moldy so he won't do anymore composite.
Should we do aluminum railings on plastic planks? I'm afraid it will look bad, but he recommends matching the aluminum railings of front deck.
Photos tomorrow if I can get someone to show me how to post.