How to Maintain Your Cool Deck: Arizona Homeowner Tips

Your Cool Deck coating is designed to handle Arizona’s brutal sun and keep your feet comfortable. But like any surface exposed to intense UV rays and monsoon dust, it needs proper care to maintain its heat-reflective properties.

We see this every day in the Phoenix valley. Homeowners often think their deck is failing when it just needs a specific type of cleaning.

Here is how to keep your Cool Deck performing for years to come.

The Arizona Maintenance Reality

Living in the desert presents unique challenges for deck coatings. The sheer intensity of our UV index breaks down sealers faster here than almost anywhere else in the country.

We have found that a regular maintenance schedule is the only way to prevent premature delamination. Neglect here does not just mean a dirty deck. It often results in surface temperatures rising by 10 to 15 degrees.

Weekly Maintenance

Sweep or blow debris: Leaves from Mesquite or Palo Verde trees are highly acidic. If they sit on wet Cool Deck for more than a few days, they will leave organic tannins that are difficult to remove.

Spot check for damage: A quick visual inspection catches problems early.

Monthly Maintenance

Rinse with a hose: You need to remove the fine dust layer that settles after wind storms. This dust traps heat against the surface.

Check for stains: Address any new stains promptly (see stain removal below).

Quarterly Maintenance

Detailed inspection: Look for chips, cracks, or areas losing texture.

Deep cleaning if needed: See our cleaning instructions below.

Annually

Professional assessment: Consider having a pro evaluate the overall condition.

Sealer reapplication: If previously sealed, check if water still beads up.

Cleaning Your Cool Deck

Basic Cleaning Steps

We recommend performing this routine early in the morning before the surface gets hot.

1. Sweep loose debris.
2. Wet the surface with a garden hose.
3. Apply a mild cleaner like Simple Green or a diluted dish soap.
4. Scrub with a soft bristle brush (nylon is best).
5. Rinse thoroughly.
6. Allow to dry completely.

Recommended Cleaners:

• Dish Soap: Dawn (blue) diluted in water is effective for grease.
• Simple Green Oxy Solve: Excellent for concrete and masonry.
• Oxygen Bleach: Powdered cleaners like OxiClean are safe alternatives to chlorine.

The Pressure Washer Warning

We frequently get asked if pressure washers are safe. The answer is yes, but only with strict limits.

You should never use a “zero degree” red tip on Cool Deck. It will slice right through the texture.

Safe Pressure Washing Guidelines:

Setting	Recommendation	Reason
Pressure Limit	1,500 PSI Max	High pressure blows off the topping
Tip Angle	40-degree (White Tip)	Spreads impact over wider area
Distance	12 inches minimum	Prevents gouging the surface

What NOT to Use

Avoid these on Cool Deck:

• High-PSI Pressure Washers: Anything over 2,000 PSI is risky.
• Chlorine Bleach: This can degrade the acrylic binder over time.
• Muriatic Acid: This eats calcium and will dissolve the deck texture.
• Wire Brushes: These leave metal fragments that rust later.

Stain Removal Guide

Organic Stains (Leaves, Berries)

Arizona native trees drop debris that stains quickly when wet.

Fresh stains:

1. Remove debris immediately.
2. Rinse with water.
3. Apply diluted dish soap.
4. Scrub gently and rinse.

Set stains:

1. Apply an oxygen bleach solution.
2. Let sit 10-15 minutes.
3. Scrub with a soft brush.
4. Rinse thoroughly.

Rust Stains

We usually see these caused by metal patio furniture or fertilizer granules.

1. Apply a safe rust remover like CLR (Calcium Lime Rust).
2. Follow product instructions exactly.
3. Rinse thoroughly.
4. Repeat if necessary.

Prevention: Use plastic furniture pads under metal legs.

Oil/Grease Stains

Sunscreen and BBQ grease are the most common offenders here.

1. Absorb fresh oil with cat litter or baking soda.
2. Apply a dedicated concrete degreaser (like Oil Eater).
3. Scrub gently.
4. Rinse well.
5. Repeat if needed.

The Hard Water Issue (Calcium)

Phoenix water averages a hardness of 14-17 grains per gallon. When tap water dries on your deck, it leaves white calcium hazing.

The Fix: Mix a solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water. Scrub the white haze with this mixture to dissolve the minerals safely without damaging the acrylic.

Pool Chemical Stains

Chlorine or acid spills:

1. Rinse immediately with lots of water.
2. Neutralize acid with a baking soda solution.
3. Clean with mild soap.
4. Assess for damage after drying.

Chemical spills can cause permanent damage. Rinse quickly.

Repair Minor Damage

Small Chips and Cracks

For damage under a quarter-inch, you can often handle this yourself.

The DIY Process:

1. Clean the area thoroughly.
2. Apply a matching Cool Deck patch material (Mortex sells specific kits).
3. Feather the edges with a wet sponge to blend.
4. Allow full cure time (24+ hours).

Note: Patches may be slightly visible. For seamless results, consider full recoating.

Larger Damage

Cracks over a quarter-inch or large chips need professional assessment.

We check for these underlying issues:

• Substrate Cracking: The concrete slab beneath may be shifting.
• Delamination: The topping is separating from the base.
• Hollow Spots: You can hear these by tapping on the deck.

Protecting Your Investment

Furniture Considerations

Best practices:

• Use plastic or rubber furniture pads.
• Avoid dragging heavy items.
• Lift rather than slide.
• Consider furniture weight limits.

Problematic items:

• Metal furniture without pads.
• Sharp-edged items.
• Heavy planters dragged across the surface.

Traffic Management

High-traffic areas (steps, entry points) wear faster:

• Use outdoor mats at entry points.
• Rinse these areas more frequently.
• Monitor for wear patterns.

Seasonal Considerations

Summer (Peak season):

• Rinse more frequently to remove sunscreen/oil.
• Check for heat damage to furniture pads.
• Address stains quickly before they bake in.

Monsoon season:

• Clear debris after storms immediately.
• Check drainage patterns to prevent standing water.
• Watch for mud splash staining.

Winter:

• Remove fallen leaves promptly.
• Clear debris from low-use periods.
• Good time for deep cleaning.

Sealing (Optional)

Some Cool Deck installations benefit from sealer, but you must be careful.

We advise against using cheap “big box store” sealers on Cool Deck.

The Breathability Factor

True Kool Deck (the brand name product) is designed to breathe. If you seal it with a thick, film-forming paint, you trap moisture inside the concrete.

This trapped moisture expands in the heat and pops the coating off.

When to Seal

• The surface appears more porous than normal.
• Stains are becoming harder to remove.
• You want enhanced protection against calcium.

Sealing Process

1. Clean the deck thoroughly.
2. Allow to dry completely (24-48 hours).
3. Apply a solvent-based acrylic sealer.
4. Allow full cure before use.

Resealing Schedule

If sealed, reseal every 2-3 years depending on wear.

When to Consider Recoating

Your Cool Deck will eventually need recoating (typically 8-15 years).

Signs it is time:

• Color fading that cleaning doesn’t restore.
• Widespread texture loss (smooth spots).
• Multiple chip/crack areas.
• Surface feels hotter than it used to.
• Cleaning no longer helps appearance.

Professional Maintenance Services

Consider professional help for:

• Deep cleaning stubborn stains.
• Repair assessment.
• Sealer application.
• Recoating evaluation.

We offer maintenance services and can assess whether your Cool Deck needs minor repairs or is approaching recoating time.

Cost of Neglect

Proper maintenance extends Cool Deck life.

Financial Impact of Neglect:

Issue	Potential Cost	Cause
Premature Recoating	$3,000 - $6,000	Lack of cleaning/sealing
Concrete Repair	$10+ per sq ft	Water intrusion from cracks
Stain Removal	$300+	Leaving organic debris too long

A little regular care saves significant money long-term.

Contact us if you need help assessing your Cool Deck’s condition or have maintenance questions we can answer.