Composite deck maintenance for Ottawa winters?

For composite decking, follow the manufacturer's care guide: we found no neutral cleaning or upkeep interval that applies across products, and care requirements vary by brand and product line.

That said, a few things are consistent across Ottawa winters and worth knowing before you plan your maintenance schedule.

Snow and ice removal is the winter job to plan for. Check the manufacturer's guide for which shovels, scrapers and de-icing products it allows on your boards before the first snowfall.

Composite boards do not need staining, sealing or painting the way wood does. The FPL's finish intervals and penetrating-versus-film-finish guidance apply to wood; none of it carries over to composite or PVC. Do not apply a deck stain or water-repellent product to composite boards unless the manufacturer specifically says to.

Debris collects between boards, in the gaps around posts and at the ledger. Check the manufacturer's guide for how and when to clear it out. Beyond that, follow whatever cleaning method and frequency the guide sets out for your specific product.

On the permit side: if you are replacing existing composite boards on existing framing, we found no City of Ottawa statement on whether that requires a permit, so ask the City's Building Code Services before starting. If the project involves any structural work, a new deck or a replacement of the whole deck, the permit rules apply, and where the decking is other than conventional lumber the permit application needs a material testing report (CCMC or BMEC).

Manufacturers publish warranty terms on composite lines: 25- and 30-year limited product warranties and matching fade and stain warranties are common, with some PVC lines offering a lifetime limited product warranty and a 50-year fade and stain warranty. Read the full warranty document, because what the manufacturer's care guide requires will affect whether a warranty claim is valid.

When you get quotes for composite decking work, ask each builder to show you exactly which line items are included in the price, because some published packages exclude railings, stairs, removal of an old deck, permit drawings and the foundation.