Maintenance of wood composite decking (WPC)

Maintain your composite decking: a few simple steps are enough

This is one of the main advantages of Silvadec composite over traditional solid wood: a soft brush and warm soapy water are enough to keep your decking looking beautiful year after year. No treatment, no stain, no oil — just an annual clean in spring and a second pass in autumn to limit winter build-up.

For best results, always brush in the direction of the boards. IMPORTANT: always clean between the boards — the build-up of debris causes moisture retention that compromises the ventilation of your decking.

Which Kärcher appliance should you use to maintain your composite decking?

The soft brush covers the vast majority of needs. In some cases — large areas, stubborn dirt, limited access — a motorised appliance can be useful. Caution: only models without high pressure are compatible with Silvadec composite boards. High pressure makes the surface porous and irreversibly damages the boards.

Small and medium areas

Kärcher PCL4 or equivalent

Compact model operating without high pressure. In a single pass, it injects water (plain or soapy) and brushes efficiently — stains, green deposits and bird droppings are removed, superficial scratches reduced. Usable all year round, without chemical products.

Large areas

Kärcher 40/10 C scrubber-dryer or equivalent

Professional model without high-pressure function, suited to large areas. It accepts several types of brush depending on the board range — see the table below.

Brushes compatible with the Kärcher 40/10 C scrubber-dryer

The tables below apply only to the Kärcher 40/10 C scrubber-dryer or equivalent. For the Kärcher PCL4, brushes are supplied with the appliance.

Élégance boards — choosing the brush by finish

Maintenance varies slightly depending on the finish of your board.

Brush	Board type	Recommended use	Scratch treatment	Disc brush with abrasive fibre
	Élégance smooth Élégance textured	Classic brush (green) for spring cleaning or routine maintenance	Light sanding possible on smooth boards only — the colour difference fades naturally with UV and weather. Forbidden on textured boards: sanding erases the wood grain on the surface.	✓ Compatible
	Élégance grooved	Orange brush with two bristle heights, specially suited to grooves	Light sanding possible — the colour difference fades naturally with UV and weather	✓ Compatible

Note: Élégance boards show a temporary bronzing during the first weeks after installation. This natural phenomenon disappears after exposure to sun and weather, allowing the boards to regain a colour close to their original shade.

Nuances & Atmosphère boards — simple and effective maintenance

A single brush for the scrubber-dryer, with specific precautions to be aware of.

Brush	Board type	Recommended use	Scratch treatment	Disc brush with abrasive fibre
	Nuances Atmosphère	Medium-hard brush (red) for Kärcher 40/10 C scrubber-dryer	Brass-coated steel wire brush, vigorous brushing in the direction of the boards. Test first on an inconspicuous area to check the effect on the surface finish.	✗ Not compatible

Nuances and Atmosphère boards are particularly sensitive to mineral dust and limescale deposits. To remove them: sprinkle powder detergent based on sodium bicarbonate onto the boards, wet the attachment with warm water, scrub, leave to act and rinse thoroughly.

For moss and lichen on Nuances and Atmosphère : consult your distributor.

Maintenance sheets to download

Browse the detailed maintenance sheets by range.