My Rating:

by Dave (Charlotte, NC)

I received the AERT “Notice Regardihg Cleaning” letter on 12/4/09, and Indusco still hasn’t cleaned the deck. I’ve called Indusco and AERT regularily but they don’t say anything useful. Our deck was supposed to have been cleaned in 2010. Now they say we’re not on the remainder of the schedule and maybe it would be cleaned in 2011. I wonder if the settlement states how long AERT has to clean all the decks? Maybe the legal system needs to get involved again and force AERT to live up to the court order. Maybe the court order was too weak and did not include enough specifics.

In any case, after reading some of these posts, it doesn’t appear that AERT/Indusco’s cleaning and treating solution works. I guess I’ll just continue cleaning the deck regularily to keep mold in check.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-08-26

My Rating:

by Unsatisfied Claimant (Enola, PA)

I spent ,000.00 to replace PT wood decking w/ ChoiceDek several years and later became part of the Class Action lawsuit filed for mildew problems. AERT had our deck cleaned and treated in8/09 and the mildew came back w/in several weeks. I tried reaching AERT’s customer service number established through the Class Action lawsuit countless times over a period of several months, but never received a callback. I finally contacted the law firm for lawsuit and they tried to intervien, but to date nothing has been done. I filedd supplemental claim in 12/09 and never heard anything. Recently after contacting the law firm for the plaintiffs, I heard from AERT and they said they rejected my supplemental claim but failed to contact me or the plaintiff’s legal counsel regarding. Now they want me to resubmit another supplemtal claim. They have 6 months to evaluate the claims, so it is obvious what they are doing. Now they say they will have to determine a new time frame for mildew reoccurrence, which if > 6 months removes you from total reimbursement for the faulty product. What a joke this is. ChoiceDek is huge rip off and I would not recommend it to anyone. I just want reimbursed by the company for their faulty product which they falsely market as “mildew resistant.”

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-08-19

My Rating:

by mms (Olathe, KS)

Biggest mistake we ever made was having ChoiceDek installed. We are part of the class action lawsuit, but the terms are only to have it cleaned once. So far, we have not had Indusco (the company AERT contracted to clean the decks) call us to schedule a cleaning date. The letter AERT sent us about the cleaning is dated 12/04/09. The letter states they will use “best efforts” to have the deck cleaned by six months. I called Indusco and was told they would not be able to clean our deck this year after all. There is mold all over our deck. We can’t use it in the evenings because of the smell. We’ve cleaned it in the past with Corte Clean but the mold returns. DO NOT EVER PURCHASE CHOICEDEK. It is horrible.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-08-17

My Rating:

by William C Van Cleve (Ravenna, KY)

Not good, too much mold. You can get more out of talking to fence post than talking to the people at lowes about the decking, they could care less.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-08-02

My Rating:

by Kieron O'Mara (Charlotte, NC)

We put in a ChoiceDek several years ago. After a few months we stared getting black mold spots and streaks of mildrew. We went to Lowes to see what to do and they gave us a sheet with directions on how to clean. Initially the cleaning worked but the spots came right back. We were part of the class action suit and our deck had been cleaned but the problem came right back. We are now trying for a supplemental cleaning but to date, nothing. I would encourage others to NOT buy this product. It is suppose t be a maintenance free and low maintenance and that is certainly not the case. Apparently Trek deck has the same problem. Yes, we paid more for this deck, but got less.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-07-29

My Rating:

by Pat S (Wellesley Island, NY)

We purchased 00. worth of choice dek in Nov. 2006 for a major remodel on our lake home. The mold/mildew has created more work for us than any pressure treated we have ever had. I have had to pressure wash it several times. The mold and mildew returns within a few days with a vengeance. I filed the claim form with AERT in Sept. 09 for the class settlement; in March’10 they asked for more pictures. Have heard nothing from them since..I called 2 weeks ago and was told someone would call me back…still nothing. I was told this problem was related to decking manufactured within a certain frame. Let’s hope so!!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-07-19

My Rating:

by Mari (Salt Lake City, UT)

Hi everyone! This morning I am doing research on composite deck products. And came across this blog, good thing. Looks like “ChoiceDek” is not recommended. However, I notice that most of the comments are from states with high humidity, and we in Utah have very dry weather. Anyone in Utah or the Rocky Mountains states installed “ChoiceDek”? Would like an opinion from someone in our area. Thanks!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-07-06

My Rating:

by James Kertz (Edinburg, ND)

We installed a small Choice Dek on the front (north side) of our house in the spring of 2008. We have had no problems whatsoever with it. In fact we are in the process of adding on a large deck on the back of our house (south side) and just recently bought all the Choice Dek materials from Lowe’s. I was completely unaware of any problems until yesterday. Now, I am not sure if I made the right choice or not. Have they made any changes in the material in the last couple years? So far we are well satisfied with our gray Choice Dek’

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-06-20

My Rating:

by Kenneth (Hendersonville, TN)

While I expected the grey ChoicceDek to be fairly maintenance free and that has proven incorrect for the most part I am happy. After the first 9 months I started getting black mold spots everywhere. I first used the Corte Clean product that Lowes sells and if used as instructed it will clean extremely well. However, within 3 months the mold was back. I finally tried a Composite selar product from a company called PSC (Problem Solving Corporation). This product has been on the deck for 9 months and no mold spots. It is fairly expensive at a gallon but it works. Check it out you will not be disappointed.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-06-12

My Rating:

by brigitte mueller (middletown, DE)

hi there,

we joined the class action last year and want to sell our home by the end of this year. It seems there is not a lot of progress and I can’t stand living with mold for the rest of the summer.
I would like to hear about your experiences, if inspectors were sent or not, money was paid etc.
If anyone could provide me with an email address or a phone number to check on the status, that would be great !
thanks !

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-05-28

My Rating:

by Swag (Delaware, OH)

I’m building a deck in the courtyard of my kids school and it’s the gray choicedek, The lumber was purchased last year and I haven’t noticed any black spots on it. It’s still under construction as of now.

I have replace some of my hand rails on my deck at the house. It’s the red wood color and have noticed the black spots on it. My handrails are 1 1/2-2 yrs old. I haven’t cleaned them our done anything to them. I’m more concerned with the deck at the school

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-05-21

My Rating:

by Joel (Westbrook, ME)

I am writing this review while in the process of installing the deck boards.

We ordered 20’ ChoiceDek boards in the gray color. First impressions were that the boards were soft and easily screwed into. The screws countersink with ease and the leftover material leaves the screws hidden. My one gripe so far is that all the boards aren’t a consistent length. We have boards ranging from 5/8” to 1” extra in length. Not a big deal, but for a manufactured product I would expect all the same lengths.

We are installing the boards on joists that are 16” OC - with 2 screws in each joist. I have read negative reviews about mold and warping, so I am just crossing my fingers at this point – hoping for a better result. We chose to go with vinyl for the railings, so I don’t expect any mold problems there.

I will update when the decking is completely installed.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-05-13

My Rating:

by Bill Odell (fort lauderdale, FL)

I filed for the class action and had an applicator from IDA come and treat my deck. It has been over a year and no spots what a relief. They did a great job and AERT lived up to their word

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-05-12

My Rating:

by Tina Miller (Bernville, PA)

I followed the directions and the rust and shoe marks and the furniture streaks didn’t come off. I have Correct Deck Composite. I contacted Correct Deck and they said use Mr Clean Scuff for the scuff marks and Tiolet Bowl cleaner for the rust. Will try that when I go to store. This item I thought could be used for scuff and rust but apparently not. My deck was free of mold cuz I normally keep it clean. Just wanted those marks gone.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-04-15

My Rating:

by ken (goldsboro, NC)

This product stinks! Buy it only if you want to spend all of your spare time trying to clean the ugly black mold off it. They should have to take this product off the market.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-04-14

My Rating:

by Pat (Gainesville, VA)

Put mine in during 2000. It is great. Still looks new, no splinters. I have had just a couple oily spots. Used Corte Clean. Awesome. Would install this again! You have to power wash it once a year.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-04-13

My Rating:

by John (Bristol, CT)

I bought this product from Loews and built a deck next to pool. There is significant mold spots all over the deck. I did get notified of the lawsuit, and did file timely. But, they rejected my first claim and I had to send additional pictures. I am now hopefully waiting to hear back from AERT. From all the other posts it looks like this product really sucks.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-03-24

My Rating:

by michael-n- kathy compton (hou, TX)

I would like to thank every one for their input on the product choicedek. A loews representitive was about to sell me the material for 5,000,00 to complete the building of my deck .They never informed me of any problem with the material but said that i would be very happy with this material. Shame on you Loews for being untruthful. They are still selling this inferior product to innocent consumers knowing that they will not get thier money back but only a 1800 number that should have a recording saying——suckerrrrr!

Fullfilled: Green Building Program

Dated: 2010-03-03

My Rating:

by John (FRANKLIN, TN)

linda in Menphis, yes we did not have are receipts either, had complete credit card records. We were able to settle with AERT just before the court took its action on the suit, one in the hand was worth two in the bush at that time !

My, problem exists with a black deck, so I tried something last summer that maybe our easy way out of this. I replaced a gate for a lady and stained it with Behr solid color deck, fence, and siding wood stain. Their fense had been stained this for years.

Nearly the same color as our deck so I figure why not test a spot. Double cleaned w/ outdoor bleach for 1 hr ea. time, with preasure washing. Let dry for one day and then two coated with the stain. This was last summer and I have seen NO, repeat NO, black spots coming though the stain. All that should be needed this spring is a little soap and water cleaning.

Good Luke

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-03-02

My Rating:

by Linda (Memphis, TN)

Has anyone been able to successfully join the class action suit without a receipt? We cannot locate our receipt, although we have the credit card statement showing we made the purchase.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-02-24

My Rating:

by rooter (sussex, NJ)

Been a year since my last post greg and your still slingin shit, unbelievable!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-02-23

My Rating:

by Jonathan (Honolulu, HI)

DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT. The Choicedek has been a nightmare for me. I used it on my 600 sq ft deck that I built in 2007. A couple of months after installation, I had mold spots that grew. Within a month or two, most of the deck was covered with mold spots. I participated in the Class Action lawsuit and received my cleaning and sealing in August 2009. Within 4 months, the mold came back but appeared different. Some planks were turning black and I was unable to get rid of the black streaks because of the sealant that was put on in August 2009. I wrote a letter to AERT statin that the mold reappeared within 6 months of the cleaning/sealing that allows me to receive 100% refund of the purchase price of the Choicedek (pursuant to the Class Action Lawsuit). Haven’t heard from them since and I probably won’t. This product has been a nightmare since we purchased. I will stick with materials that have a great track record before I purchase.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-02-14

My Rating:

by R Morrow (Warner Robins, GA)

I DO NOT recommend choicedek. I too have had significant mold and mildew problems from within the boards. I wasn’t contacted about the class-action lawsuit. However, when I found out (about a month ago) that hundreds of other folks were having the same problem I tried to get them to remedy my problem. Their answer was “we will have it cleaned some time this spring (knowing the mold will return) and I would have to sign a waiver stating I wouldn’t be able to make any future claims or tell anyone what they did”. Basically, I wouldn’t be able to make any negative comments about their product and wouldn’t be able to come back to them when the mold returns. I talked to my lawyer and she recommend that I sue the local Lowes on the grounds that they sold me an item that had a manufacturing defect. I tried to see if AERT/Choice-dek would do anything else since I was unaware of the lawsuit and didn’t meet the deadline. They said we will clean it one time and that’s it! Since they already told me it will come back I would be stupid to agree to their request/offer.
I spoke to Lowes customer hotline and all they said is I need to deal with the manufacture. I’m disappionted that Lowes won’t urge the manufacture to make it right for me since I wasn’t contacted about the lawsuit. After making several trips to two different Lowes and purchasing approx ,000 in material with a credit card and filling out the warranty card, neither Lowes nor the manufacture contacted me.
It seems that I’m stuck with a leopard looking deck and will have to sue Lowes or the manufacture if I want more than a one time cleaning. What great customer service! Not…
Home Depot here I come…

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-02-10

My Rating:

by Ted (Vashon, WA)

We installed 1,000 square feet of Choicedek in 2006. We chose it over other decking material because it drastically reduces the chance of slipping and falling during bad weather. We also chose it because it is made from recycled material. We offer the following advice to anyone who has installed similar or is considering it… 1) Make sure you install with adequate spacing between planks. Since Choicedek has some wood, the planks will swell when exposed to rain and snow. Swelling reduces draining and may result is standing water during severe storms. If your deck has swelling and you have less than 1/16 inch then widen the gap with a router. If you have not installed yet make sure you have 3/16 inches or greater gap between planks. 2) You can expect mold on any surface, especially areas of poorly drained surfaces, wet leaves, or potted plants. 3) Clean your deck once a year to remove mold and other crud that accumulates between planks. This should be part of your spring cleaning ritual. Rent a pressure power cleaner, that uses ordinary water. Chemicals can harm the environment.

Please note that these recommendations may run counter to manufactures specifications. Use common sense and you will be happy with this product

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-02-08

My Rating:

by Andrea Gernon (Lakewood, WA)

DO NOT BUY this product. We have had significant, disfiguring problems with black and brown mold and mildew since the first year. Our three level deck, with three sets of steps, was installed in August 2007, has been cleaned repeatedly, and looks terrible. We are religious about keeping it clean and free of debris. I truly believe the mildew emanates from within, since it is as bad on the stair risers and ends of boards as it is one the deck surface. Low mainenance? Lifetime beauty? HA!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-01-26

My Rating:

by Andrea Gernon (Lakewood, WA)

DO NOT BUY this product. We have had significant, disfiguring problems with black and brown mold and mildew since the first year. Our three level deck, with three sets of steps, was installed in August 2007, has been cleaned repeatedly, and looks terrible. We are religious about keeping it clean and free of debris. I truly believe the mildew emanates from within, since it is as bad on the stair risers and ends of boards as it is one the deck surface. Low mainenance? Lifetime beauty? HA!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-01-26

My Rating:

by Jafetica (Las Vegas, NV)

I am thinking about ChoiceDek, like the look and feel of the product, but kind of worried about the lawsuit/mold issues.

Two questions:
1) would you know if the product has changed since they discovered the problem or is the mold problem still happening?

2) I live in Vegas – no rain or humidity, has anyone with a similar climate had issues with mold (nothing molds here, it just dries out

3) how hot does the deck get in the summer – can you still walk on it (like you would on wood) or does it get unbearable hot (as in plastic-hot)?

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2010-01-17

My Rating:

by Gary (Massapequa Park, NY)

I installed my deck in 2008 with the promise of a low maintance decking material. Unfortuantely, my deck is now covered with mold. I have been waiting since August 24th on the response to my claim with AERT.

I would never recommend this material to anyone.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-12-26

My Rating:

by Michael Safron (Norton, OH)

I had Choice Deck installed in late 2007. It looked great for the first 6 months after the install. For the past 2 years though I have encountered a great deal of molding on the decking surface requiring cleanings almost monthly in the summer weather. I submitted paperwork to www.AERT.com/class_action_settlement.asp. due to the fact they knew their product was inferior and subject to molding. I was not qualified due to the fact I did not have the Lowes receipts . I had a contractor install it and did not have his receipts. He is out of business and I am out of luck.

Fullfilled: Greater Cleveland Green Building Coalition

Dated: 2009-12-14

My Rating:

by Thomas Haughey (Delran, NJ)

I installed the decking myself(Aug.2007),looked great for about 3 months,then the mold started.I’ve tried to hose,scrub it qand pressure wash it with Lowe’s cleaning material but it keeps coming back.I’m also in on the lawsuit wth AERT and I keep getting the run-around from them.I have send them two copies of photos(1-April and another in Sept.).I still haven’t heard about any settlement.I’ve called many times without any results.If your thinking about purchasing Choice-Dek,don’t you’ll have the same problems as many of us do

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-11-30

My Rating:

by Thomas Haughey (Delran, NJ)

I installed the decking myself(Aug.2007),looked great for about 3 months,then the mold started.I’ve tried to hose,scrub it and pressure wash it with Lowe’s cleaning material but it keeps coming back.I’m also in on the lawsuit wth AERT and I keep getting the run-around from them.I have send them two copies of photos(1-April and another in Sept.).I still haven’t heard about any settlement.I’ve called many times without any results.If your thinking about purchasing Choice-Dek,don’t you’ll have the same problems as many of us do

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-11-30

My Rating:

by Thomas Haughey (Delran, NJ)

I installed the decking myself(Aug.2007),looked great for about 3 months,then the mold started.I’ve tried to hose,scrub it and pressure wash it with Lowe’s cleaning material but it keeps coming back.I’m also in on the lawsuit wth AERT and I keep getting the run-around from them.I have send them two copies of photos(1-April and another in Sept.).I still haven’t heard about any settlement.I’ve called many times without any results.If your thinking about purchasing Choice-Dek,don’t you’ll have the same problems as many of us do

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-11-30

My Rating:

by Joni (Olympia, WA)

I bought this product at Lowes. With six months it warped and molded. Lowe’s replaced the decking. Within six months same thing happened all over again. I was sent paperwork on the class action lawsuit. After tryign to get somewhere with those people for almost a year, I did file all paperwork on time, I was SO RIPPED OFF IT ISN’T FUNNY, they said they will pay for one washing. The builders tell all boards must be replaced as the mold migrates to the new boards. The Lowe’s manager told me not to let them only wash it or replace a part of it. I don’t know where to go. I’m seeing a lawyer, filing a complaint with the attorney general’s office and don’t plan to let this go. I would appreciate any advice anyone has to give. This is one cheezy ripoff settlement and company.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-11-28

My Rating:

by john geary (easton, MA)

I missed the date for the lawsuit on AERt. Choicedek- lowes- .Does anyone know if I can get my money back. This decking is junk!!!! j22g22@yahoo.com

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-11-10

My Rating:

by JIM (PRESCOTT, AZ)

I have a friend in construction and he told me about all the work he had replacing TREX decking, he explained that it loses stability and practically crumbles. The high country has a very high UV index most of the time, that in turn with a mixture of a petroleum based product can open the pores, maybe that’s why it molds up after a rain & sun? Another question I have is, the installer when they get dust from TREX during the install, what are the respiratory effects of this product? It is a combination of wood and petroleum, a petroleum based product interfacing with a warm mucousy environment such as the lung, what are the adverse effects?

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-10-28

My Rating:

by Norma Morris (Hendersonville, TN)

We replaced our cedar wood deck with ChoiceDek. Within a few months, the entire deck had measles. My husband has cleaned it many times according to their website and it did not come clean. I would NEVER recommend this product to anyone. I missed the deadline on the class action lawsuit because I did not know about it until it was too late. I talked to their 800 number and they will do NOTHING to help.

Whatever you do, DO NOT buy this product. Lowe’s should stand behind this product since they sell it, but from what I see on these posts, they will do nothing.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-10-20

My Rating:

by Brian S. Timms (Bethlehem, PA)

I was looking for a replacement to the cedar decking lumber that I used to build my deck back in 1997. While at Lowe’s the other day I saw for the first time the
“ChoiceDek” product. Not seeing any installation instructions posted with the
material, I decided to check with 3 of my contracting friends about their thoughts on this product. All three told me to steer away from using this “ChoiceDek” product. They told me of the class action suit, the high number of complaints by homeowners and, ofcourse, the on going mold issues. I am so
glad I asked around first before making a purchase of “ChoiceDek”. Based upon all I have been told and what I have recently read on line about this product I
would highly suggest everyone avoid this stuff like the Swineflu.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-10-13

My Rating:

by Sandra (Andover, MA)

I filed my class action paperwork against AERT (Choicedek manufacturer) late spring 2009. I had to re-file because of a problem with the pictures, but they were very nice to deal with. I was contacted in Sept. for some follow up questions, but was told that I was on the list for the initial settlement which was a cleaning and sealing process. A very nice man from a third party (contractor) came to my house this weekend (10/2009) and cleaned the deck with a product sent to him by AERT and then sealed it. It looks great—just like new. We’ll see what happens to it this winter.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-10-12

My Rating:

by JC (Atlanta, GA)

People – do not buy this product! FYI, the class action claims are now taking 6 months to process. For a claim that was filed in July, I was told not to expect a cleaning until March 2010 at the earliest.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-10-09

My Rating:

by Mad S.O.B (Sparta, MI)

I purchased Choicedek to replace my 8 year old deck so it would be maintence free.It is terrible! I would love to pull each board off and smack the son of a bitch that calls it “maintence free”! w/ everyone of them.It should be called “spotted mess”! To put it simple if you by this within no time it will look like someone flung tar or black paint off a paint brush all over it ,oh and better yet I love explaining it to everyone that sees it.. DON’T DO IT!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-10-09

My Rating:

by Denny (Bay City, MI)

I have had my composite decking for about 4 yrs now. This past summer I to have noticed “black spots” on my decking. I went to Home Depot and described the situation to them and they sold me some “Krud Kutter” That did not help! My wife said to try Soft Scrub with bleach, still did not help. My wife felt sorry for me because I had to do so much scrubbing. She called the company that manufactured my composite decking(WeatherBest) They told her that “it sounds like your decking has mold on it”!! They told her that the only product that they tell people to use is “Corte Clean” Well, I “Googled” reviews for Corte Clean and for some reason one click brought me to this site! In some of my searches I have also found out that the companies that manufacture composte decking did NOT do their homework as far as mold & mildew getting into the composte decking, and the ads for “No Maintainence, & Low Maintainence” are misleading to the public!! I also feel that I was lied to, but I am NOT going to take the decking out and replace it with anything else! But I also agree with the gentleman from J.P. construction who said all decking needs some maintainence! I did try the Corte Clean 3 weeks ago. I have a upper & lower deck behind my house! I figure about 600 sq. ft of composite decking! It only took about 2 hrs of my time(No Scrubbing) to clean my deck!! On Corte Cleans website they have “before” & “after” pictures of decking with mold & after cleaning and this is exactly how my deck looked!! This is just to tell you people that there is a product that will get the mold out without any scrubbing!! I will probably not be returning to this site to see any more reviews as I know what the product will do. Also I only hope that all you people that have the class actions suit against ChoiceDeck get satisfaction!!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-10-09

My Rating:

by Gretchen (Columbia, SC)

We spent a lot of money and my husband worked very hard putting this material down in 2006. We purchased this because we thought it would never warp, fade, stain, etc. and we wanted it to look good for years and never have to do maintenance. It is embarrassing now how horrible it makes the back yard where we spend all of our time look. There are nasty spots all over it. I missed the deadline to file a claim, but called the toll-free number today and was able to get an extension for another 10 days. For the writer two reviews below, give them a call ASAP and you may still be able to get an extension. The lady I spoke with was very kind and helpful. I think all the information requested such as the exact dates you swept the deck (for the past 3 years for us) is ridiculous. DO NOT BUY THIS DECKING!!!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-10-06

My Rating:

by J.P. Construction (Milford, MA)

It has been known for some time that you have to clean these decks. To me it is worth it to not have to walk on with bare feet the chemicals (in pressure treated decking) and results from a wood deck (rotting splitting, splintering, etc). If you read the blogs most people come across as the product should last and look new forever with out so much as lifting a finger(you wash your car don’t you?). I clean mine once every year with a tank sprayer and a hose. It takes about an hour or two with great results. Compare that to two days of labor and hundreds of dollars in material every two years and you get my point. Bottom line I feel for all the people that bought choice deck and thought it was the cure all to decking woes of past. After all I am one of them. But come on people there is no magic decking siding roofing ECT. EVERYTHING needs maintenance. Just for the record not that it matters (because someone will blog me as a Jerk or other) I am a licensed contractor for over 20 yrs. I installed my choice decking and being a carpenter had to have some wood. So I used pt for the railings. I will be replacing the railings as they are all rotted. However the decking still looks good year after year with a simple cleaning.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-10-04

My Rating:

by C J (Springfield, IL)

I wish I knew about this before the date ended for the class action suit. It said the last day to submit was 9/10/09. Has anyone tried to get their own lawyer and try to get their deck replaced instead of just washed? I washed my spots off a few months ago and they are back and worse then ever.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-09-28

My Rating:

by Myra (Summerfield, NC)

I wish I had looked up this site before we built our very large deck! We have had it for 2 1/2 years. Within just a few months we noticed black spots and warping. There is a very large cedar tree near our deck and we thought the spots were from it. We tried several kinds of cleaners and nothing worked so we finally used bleach. It worked but it did cause our grey color to fade. The sun would eventually do this anyway. Within 2-3 months the spots were back. We have been considering cutting down the cedar tree (thinking the needles were causing the problem). Boy I’m glad I found this site. The tree really shades our backyard and it would have been a shame to cut it down. Now I’m upset to find that it is not the tree but mold. We spent alot of money on this deck and it’s hard to believe it was for nothing. I did find a website with a class action lawsuit and I signed up for that.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-09-17

My Rating:

by Julie Puterbaugh (Columbus, OH)

Bad decision to install, although PT wood would have molded also. We attributed the mold to the deck being entirely in shade on the N side of our house. I submitted all of the documentation for the class action lawsuit and was contacted by A.E.R.T/IDA in mid-May 2009. I have gotten nothing but BS from Caleb at IDA about why they have not scheduled the deck to be cleaned since then, and it’s now September.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-09-17

My Rating:

by B. Joaquin (Belleview, FL)

We purchased from back deck in o6 mold appeared within 3 months, did’nt
know it was mold so we did our front steps and railing in Choice dek. A real big
mistake. Everything sent to aert but know response as of yet. Cant stand the
look of the mold much longer…..................

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-09-10

My Rating:

by B. Joaquin (Belleview, FL)

We purchased from back deck in o6 mold appeared within 3 months, did’nt
know it was mold so we did our front steps and railing in Choice dek. A real big
mistake. Everything sent to aert but know response as of yet. Cant stand the
look of the mold much longer…..................

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-09-10

My Rating:

by B. Joaquin (Belleview, FL)

We purchased from back deck in o6 mold appeared within 3 months, did’nt
know it was mold so we did our front steps and railing in Choice dek. A real big
mistake. Everything sent to aert but know response as of yet. Cant stand the
look of the mold much longer…..................

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-09-10

My Rating:

by Bill (gross pointe, MI)

I just had my deck treated by the IDA people and they did a great job. It looks much better and they were professional.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-08-31

My Rating:

by Pissed in Tennessee (Baxter, TN)

Ditto to all of the above!! I hope Lowes is reading these blogs. They sure have passed the buck on this one. After many calls to A.E.R.T. we’ve got nothing but BS and a runaround.

How can Lowes completely wash their hands of this problem??

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-08-17

My Rating:

by fedup (anywhere, MN)

AERT…the company that cares…BaHAhahahahahaha

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-07-22

My Rating:

by Lori (Eighty Four, PA)

It appears that it is not just us! We, too, have a tremendous amount of black moldy spots on our deck. We had our first deck put on in 2004 using ChoiceDek (redwood) and we had made a claim that the coloring was wearing off onto our clothes. ChoiceDek resolved the issue by replacing the entire deck with the same material. Little did we know we would experience mold. We would have been better with the coloring coming off of the boards instead of dealing with the deck looking like we don’t take care of it. Very Very disappointed. We are currently looking into the settlement process. This had been an absolute headache from day one.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-07-11

My Rating:

by Carlirae (Anchorage, AK)

I had 2 decks put on our home using the Choice decking. I heard about the mold after having them installed but did not see any mold on our decks until this summer. It just popped up out of no where. the deck that we installed about 3 years ago has the mold but the deck we installed 2 years ago does not. I really like the decking but will not use it in the future if there is any chance of mold.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-07-09

My Rating:

by Natalie Chapman (Keswick, VA)

Thank you greenerbuilding.org and all those who wrote reviews. You have saved me money, time and disappointment. I will certainly NOT buy ChoiceDek—or Trex and will replace my pressure-treated deck (which has lasted 26 years) with the same. To Lowe’s credit in Charlottesville, Virgina, the customer service person told us about the class action lawsuit and recommended we do some Internet research before buying. So why does Lowe’s continue to sell this defective product?

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-06-26

My Rating:

by T Pike (Siler City, NC)

I am considering ChoiceDek for the deck on our new home. Are there any positive comments about this product? Where do satisfied customers post?

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-06-22

My Rating:

by Bob Hyatt (Broadville, AR)

I just had my deck treated by IDA the man they sent was polite and did a real fine job. It looks much better and i feel real good about this treatment

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-06-16

My Rating:

by Bob Hyatt (Broadville, AR)

I just had my deck treated by IDA the man they sent was polite and did a real fine job. It looks much better and i feel real good about this treatment

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-06-16

My Rating:

by Corte LLC (Corte Madera, CA)

RE: Dave (Charlotte, NC)

Once again, for the record, Corte Clean is a cleaner and not a mold preventer. Rain is what mold needs to live and grow when new mold spores (seeds) land on the composite. The spots are mold roots (hyphae) that grow into composites. The deeper the mold roots are allowed to grow into the composite, the greater number of repeat Corte Clean applications may be necessary to remove the mold stains. You need to “repeat” the application process with Corte Clean to remove mold stains. You can not scrup mold stains from composites. Corte Clean needs to do the work. I would also suggest you review the Corte Clean “FAQ’s” for what has been proven to keep composites clean with minimal cost and effort after Corte Cleaning. Please call us if you have any questions. www.corteclean.com

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-06-13

My Rating:

by Dave (Charlotte, NC)

Anyone had the work done by AERT from the settlement? I sent all the required documents and I’m hoping to hearing something from them soon. Meanwhile, I had to again clean the deck with Corte Clean because the spotting was the worst it’s even been. I aslo treated my deck with Duraban last fall as provided by AERT, and it didn’t work.

My spots were so bad this time after a very rainy spring that I had to use a pressure washer. Even after applying Corte Clean and hand scrubbing the spots still weren’t coming out very well.

Although I want AERT to clean and treat the deck, I’m really not expecting it to work for long. I know someday we’ll be replacing this ChoiceDek junk and replacing it with real wood, not trash.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-06-09

My Rating:

by Greg (Corte Madera, CA)

RE: Bad Choice (Monroe, CT)

Mold grows on most surfaces when mold spore (seeds) receive moisture, regardless of if it is in the “sun all day.” Thank you for the testimonial regarding Corte Clean and its ability to remove mold stains from ChoiceDek! We have posted your “Testimonial” on the web site. Most composites are naturally weathered/bleached/faded when they receive sun all day by as much as 2/3 or more of their origional color over time. Corte Clean can speed up the inevatitable. This is why Corte LLC clearly discloses this to any customer that reads the FAQ’s @ www.corteclean.com . We do not want any person to be discatisfied with the results of Corte Clean. I wish you would have contacted us or thoroughly read our website before using Corte Clean. Unfortunately, with most mold stained composites, one has a choice, speed up the weathering process or live with the stains. By the way, chlorine bleach or other sodium hypochlorite containing biocides bleach composites far worse than Corte Clean. Many composite owners have reported to us that Corte Clean has restored some of the color that was previously chlorine bleached with sodium hypochlorite containing products.

RE: Kathy Lawson (Waynesville, MO)
I am sorry you wasted your time and money trying to clean your ChoiceDek with products that don’t work. I would like to send you a FREE container of Corte Clean in an attempt to get you back to enjoying your clean ChoiceDek with our environmentally responsible product and teach you how to keep it that way, with minimal cost and effort. Hopefully then, you will post your honest results on this blog. Please contact me @ www.corteclean.com

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-06-03

My Rating:

by Kathy Lawson (Waynesville, MO)

We used Choice Dek for our deck in two levels. The first level was built in 2007 and the second in 2008. We have severe dark “measle” spotting on the Choice Dek we purchased in 2007, but none yet on the 2008 material. I wonder if they didn’t change something in their manufacturing process or material during that time or if it’s only a matter of time before spotting starts on the new part. The older part of the deck is hideous, and we always kept it clean. It’s turned into an expensive eyesore. We can’t entertain or dine around it because it’s so ugly & unappealing. It doesn’t even look like a healthy area for my grandson to play on. We’ve used several cleaners (recommended by Choice Dek site) already that did not remove the stains even with hard scrubbing by hand. We may try Corte Clean next as a last resort because replacing the deck is not an option. We are retired and already put a lot of money into this deck. We’ve done home improvement projects for years and never had such a disappointing, frustrating experience. We are angry and have a right to be. The consumers have not been at fault here, and the ridiculous “settlement” is an insult.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-06-02

My Rating:

by Bogie (Swampscott, MA)

Wow,
After reading all of these posts, I feel like I hit the lottery. I only checked out this site to see if anyone has had any issues with different shades of gray
between the decking and the railings. I installed a gray Choicedek in the spring of 2008, and have had NO issues at all regarding mold or spotting.
Sorry!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-05-29

My Rating:

by Bad Choice (Monroe, CT)

Although my deck gets sun all day the ChoiceDek product became covered with mold spots. I cleaned it with the Corte-Clean product and it removed the mold, but heavily bleached the redwood appearance. If you try this product beware.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-05-24

My Rating:

by Bad Choice (Monroe, CT)

The trim boards on my ChoiceDek also warped so severely that it broke the screws. Not just in one spot… I have warped boards and broken screws wherever the trim boards were used.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-05-24

My Rating:

by Claude (S.H., KY)

Does anyone have the redwood color in the ChoiceDek? If so, are you experiencing the same problems with the black molding/spotting whatever? I was just about ready to purchase several dollars of ChoiceDek but after reading these reviews I am a little skeptcal. I was just wondering if the color makes any difference.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-05-22

My Rating:

by Gary Fox (Indianapolis, IN)

I spent over 00 on my ChoiceDek deck in the summer of 2007. I installed the composite as instructed, and the black spots showed up after 3 months. I too was told that this was a low maintanence product. I now find myself cleaning the deck three times a year to get rid of the ugly spots. My neighbor stains his wooden deck every other year. I sure wish that I would have used wood!!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-04-29

My Rating:

by Robert Hase (Centennial, CO)

I purchased and had installed ChoiceDek in Nov-Dec 2007. It began warping shortly thereafter and continues to get worse. I believe it will have to be replaced at considerable expense. Has anyone else had this problem and been successful in getting a replacement from the retailer or manufacturer?

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-04-27

My Rating:

by Robert Hase (Centennial, CO)

I purchased and had installed ChoiceDek in Nov-Dec 2007. It began warping shortly thereafter and continues to get worse. I believe it will have to be replaced at considerable expense. Has anyone else had this problem and been successful in getting a replacement from the retailer or manufacturer?

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-04-27

My Rating:

by tim (des moines, IA)

i am thinking of using choicedek, eden series, on my front stoop which would only be about 15-20 square feet. seems like it wouldn’t be to big of a hassle to clean that small of an area once a month. ant opinions out there?

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-04-24

My Rating:

by William (Yucaipa, CA)

I purchased a house 2 years ago that has, what I believe to be, a “ChoiceDek”. It was warping then and has continued to get worse. I am going to just redo the entire thing. I know it isn’t more than 3 years old since the people who had the house were installing it a few months before moving out. Now, is the problem with the material or with the previous homeowner who installed it? I can’t say. But I will not use the stuff again. I will just use wood.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-04-24

My Rating:

by David (Tallahassee FL, FL)

Does anyone have any experience with warping of the fascia board materials? We installed a deck, using Choice Deck, in 2007 that has performed “fairly” well from most aspects, but the fascia boards started to warp shortly after installation.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-03-30

My Rating:

by Barb (Spingfield, MO)

Yes, we joined it and got the paperwork to fill out. You can learn more about the settlement at this site.
http://www.aert.com/class_action_settlement.asp

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-03-14

My Rating:

by Barb (Spingfield, MO)

Yes, we joined it and got the paperwork to fill out. You can learn more about the settlement at this site.
http://www.aert.com/class_action_settlement.asp

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-03-14

My Rating:

by brigitte mueller (wilmington, DE)

Hi there,

did anybody, who joined the law suit, get an update since last fall ? there should have been a hearing in the beginning of 2009, but I did not receive any further information.
I can’t imagine to spend another sommer with mold everywhere – and I can’t do a thing until settlement :(

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-03-12

My Rating:

by Greg (Corte Madera, CA)

RE: Rooter (Sussex, NJ)

I actually do care about composite owners and our environment. That is why I am involved in providing the only prooven environmentally responsible “green” cleaner for safely resolving the staining problems that composite owners face. Let me know if I can further assist.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-02-27

My Rating:

by Rooter (Sussex, NJ)

Ya know Greg they got you really believe’n all that shit you write! i really feel sorry for you.At the end of the day you couldn’t give too shits about these peoples problems! AMF

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-02-26

My Rating:

by Susan (Riverside, CA)

Not only does this decking have mold issues, for me the mold COMPLETELY covers the bottom of the plank, but the 12” centers it has to be on is not sufficient to hold traffic areas without the plank sagging, the planks buckle too and come away from the frame work pulling away from the screws and the recommended screws are breaking off in half. I installed this deck in 2006 as being maintenance free except for sweeping and washing ..... so not true!! Do not buy this product even if the mold is fixed it does not hold up over time.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-01-15

My Rating:

by Jeff (Laurel, MD)

Greg the Corte Clean shill…please stop with the ads. We all know that your product is the best thing since sliced bread and yes…it does clean the decks. HOWEVER, if you would actually read the posts, peoples problems are not with any cleaning products, but with having to clean their decks EVERY THREE WEEKS because of this SHITTY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. I had a wood deck for many years before this and NEVER had to clean it like this. Come this spring I will once again have a nice wood deck cause I’m RIPPING OUT THIS SHITTY CHOICEDECK CRAP. I ONLY HOPE AERT GOES OUT OF BUSINESS!!!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-01-07

My Rating:

by gene (va beach, VA)

THE DECK LOOKED AND FELT GREAT FOR APPROX 3 MONTHS,,,,,,,then it appeared as if something flew over the house and spewed oil droplets all over the deck…..those bastards who made this stuff need to be held responsible,,,,,,,,just as the attorneys went after the bad PVC plumbing and the drivit wall composite, they need to go after these folks who manufactured a product that was supposed to be maintenance free yet now has given eveyone who purchased it a maj headache and a terrific eye sore. This mold problem needs to be addressed and the guys who sold this crap need to be the ones who foot the bill.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2009-01-04

My Rating:

by Jeff (New Castle, PA)

Same as everyone else shitty spotty decking. Greg of CORTE CLEAN I am happy for you how about sending some of you fab cleaner for free because I am out of money after putting 6k in the choice decking. AERT will be out of business before we see a penny. Yea
Jeff

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-12-29

My Rating:

by CORTE LLC (CORTE MADERA, CA)

RE: AHA (milwaukee, WI)

I only post to help ChoiceDek owners resolve their staining issues with our environmentally responsible cleaner that has been proven effective by numerous composite owners and manufacturers such as; Trex, TimberTech, Etc. I could care less about the rating and have never even considered it when I make my posts.

I have read the posts on this blog and understand the complaints, perhaps better than anyone, as I have cleaned many composite decks including ChoiceDek. I do realize that these “owners” “have spent thousands of dollars on LOW/NO maintenance decking” and many have “replaced traditional decks with ChoiceDek.” I also realize that most are not “neophytes when it comes to outdoor structures and materials.” I am not here to “belittle and insult” you or any person. I only post here to provide an environmentally responsible “GREEN” cleaning solution that has been proven effective in cleaning the staining issues that you and others complain about and are generally considered and act of god.

I completely, respectfully, disagree with your statement that “the problem with ChoiceDek have nothing to do with being realistic or with any cleaning product.” Most items that are exposed to the outdoor environment require routine cleaning if the owner wants the item to look clean, especially after mold spores (seeds) land on the item and it receives moisture allowing them to cause stains. (Other Examples: Roofing, siding, driveways, patio furniture, vehicles, fiberglass boats, etc.) Fortunately, composite decking, unlike traditional wood decking, only requires cleaning if the owner wants it to look nice but if the product is neglected, it still lasts for years, unlike wood decking that requires routine cleaning, painting or sealing to last (likely the reason why you and others replaced “traditional” wood “decks.”) Furthermore, to the best of my knowledge, ChoiceDek has always very clearly disclosed in its warranty “Mold and Mildew is not a warranty claim” and had cleaning instructions informing potential customers that take the time to read ChoiceDek literature that the ChoiceDek product is susceptible to Mold & Mildew Stains that will likely need to be cleaned.

If you find that my posts, that point out the truth, in an attempt to help ChoiceDek owners resolve cleaning issues with our environmentally responsible product to be “unethical and repugnant”, I would suggest you disregard them. If I can send you a FREE sample of Corte Clean to help you resolve your ChoiceDek cleaning issue, in an attempt to get you back to loving your ChoiceDek, please contact me. I am at your service. Hopefully, I can then get you to set up a Corte Clean blog here on greenbuilding.org so people can post their honest reviews of Corte Clean in an attempt to stop the further pollution of our planet by the uneducated who recommend and use chlorine bleach or other sodium hypochlorite containing biocides to clean mold.

FOR THE RECORD, ONCE AGAIN, CORTE LLC DOES NOT CLAIM THAT CORTE CLEAN PREVENTS STAINS, INCLUDING THOSE CAUSED BY MOLD.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-12-10

My Rating:

by AHA (milwaukee, WI)

Sorry Corte Clean-I stand by my words. How many of thse 289 posts are written by Corte Clean? I would guess 50% or more. In fact, Choice Deks over all rating on this site is 1. That can’t possibly be due to all of the disgruntled posts by those people who actually own choicedek; if so – the rating would be a zero.

Perhaps skewing the ratings helps you to sell Corte Clean. If in fact, you are supporting Greenerbuilding.org’s desire to promote greener products, I suggest you get your own heading. Open up corte clean to reviews and commentary instead of hijacking the Choicedek review board.

if you had bothered to really read the posts below by actual choicedek owners who spent thousands of dollars on LOW/NO maintenance decking, you would realize that nearly all of us replaced traditional decks with choicedek. We are not neophytes when it comes to outdoor stuctures and materials. But instead you belittle and insult us by actually stating we are not “realistic about the need to clean their (our)decks” and infer that the measle-y deck is merely “dirty”.

The problems with choicedek have nothing to do with being realistic or with any cleaning product. I find your selling tactics and and constant shilling to be unethical and repugnant. And I think you should get your own board and open up corte clean to the same review process you have hijacked here.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-12-07

My Rating:

by Corte LLC (Corte Madera, CA)

RE: aha (milwaukee, WI)

Corte Clean posts have helped numerous ChoiceDek owners who are reolistic about the need to clean their deck with an environmentally responsible “GREEN”, proven, recommended product when it appears to be a “measle-y” or dirty.

Is this not what GREENBUILDING.org is all about; to “sell” or make people aware of GREEN PRODUCTS that replace environmentally destructive, dangerous, polluting, corrosive products such as; chlorine bleach or other environmentally destructive products?

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-12-05

My Rating:

by john (zanesville, OH)

the choice deck we put our north porch not only has black spots on it but also has green mold on it also. I’ve power washed it but the mold just comes back.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-12-04

My Rating:

by john (zanesville, OH)

the choice deck we put our north porch not only has black spots on it but also has green mold on it also. I’ve power washed it but the mold just comes back.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-12-04

My Rating:

by brian (orlando, FL)

Bought at Lowes – I like the deck – mold showed up af ter 3 months. Lowes recommended concrobium mold control to kill mold and prevent from coming back
Cleaned deck with a power washer and then sprayed on the mold control – mold has not returned since – great stuff!
going to use concrobium in by next.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-12-04

My Rating:

by aha (milwaukee, WI)

Still having problems with our measle-y deck. Still see there are no answers. And I am completely dismayed that the thread has been hijacked by someone shilling corte clean. multiple posts and multiple reviews(at least 50%) posted in order to sell corte clean when the subject at hand is choice dek. Frankly, I find cleaning solutions to be irrelevant. Greenerbuilding.org should have an anti-shill policy and remove these corte clean posts, IMO.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-11-30

My Rating:

by John (Tampa, FL)

Yeah, they were pulling the we will clean it for you crap before the lawsuit started. There is some good karma though…their stock today is at 15 cents. Wonder what happens when it hits 0.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-11-20

My Rating:

by Greg (Corte Madera, CA)

RE: Jeff and any other ChoiceDek owner,

For the record, once again, Corte Clean DOES NOT claim to prevent mold stains! Corte Clean is an environmentally responsible cleaner that safely resolves common composite stains such as; mold, mildew, grease, oil, rust, etc. Corte Clean is an alternative composite cleaner for composite owners who care about the environment and know the many risks associated with using sodium hypochlorite containing biocides, such as chlorine bleach, for cleaning mold from composites. I can only hope that you and other composite owners take the time to educate yourselves by visiting the www.corteclean.com website.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-11-18

My Rating:

by Greg (Corte Madera, CA)

RE: Rob Rosen (Andover, MN)

Yes, Corte Clean “works” in cleaning ChoiceDek of mold stains.

See the Corte Clean “Testimonials” and Before & After Photos @ www.corteclean.com.

Contact us if you have any questions.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-11-18

My Rating:

by Corte LLC (Corte Madera, CA)

Corte Clean is now recommended as the only environmentally responsible, non-corrosive to structural metal, “GREEN” choice for cleaning ChoiceDek!

See page # 93 @ www.aert.com/Settlement%20Agreement%20-%20ChoiceDek.pdf

www.corteclean.com

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-11-18

My Rating:

by Jeff (Laurel, MD)

Got the preliminary settlement papers from the lawyers and I am not impressed. AERT gets a chance to come out and clean and spray some chemicals (mold inhibitors) all over the deck, I may have to pay to have a board sample tested and then I have to follow some undefined cleaning procedure that they will dictate. First of all I didn’t buy a product that was going to have chemicals all over the surface. Also, what if after their cleaning, AERT says that I then have to then clean it every two weeks? The lawsuit doesn’t preclude this. I am so sick of this product I just want to rip it out but this settlement just seems to drag on and on and on. By the way, I have used both CLorox outdoor bleach and Corte Clean and like everyone else, the mold just comes back within a month. THIS PRODUCT IS DEFECTIVE!!!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-11-04

My Rating:

by Jerry Mueller (Ballwin, MO)

I purchased my ChoiceDek building material back 3 yrs ago and was every happy the way it turned out. Its not a large deck only 10X14 with a small plateform 5X6 off to the side of it. And I to thought that I had made the wise decision on spending more for the decking material in order to have a maintenance free surface. In fact I told my father about it and had him look at it and he was impressed on the way it looked. That he went out and bought enough material to cover a 10’x60’ deck YES 600 sq.ft. of this material not including the stair case. Then it happened , the black mold spots started to show up on mine and a month later it showed up on my fathers deck. I dont have all my records when I purchsed my from LOWES HARDWARE but my father does and I hope that everyone who applies for this law suite gets thier money back and the company goes out of buisness. Yes BIG DREAMS but you can only wish.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-11-03

My Rating:

by Rob Rosen (Andover, MN)

I am completely frustrated. For the second time the spots have come back. I cleaned the deck in the spring and while it helped it wasn’t great. Now it’s fall and the spots are back, worse then ever. I did not buy maintenance free decking to have this happen. Is anyone not going with the class action suit and trying on there own? I’m extremely frustrated by this. Now I have to fill out forms, take photos of the spots and try to find a piece that has the date still on it. I wonder if Lowes has been helpful at all. By the way, does the corte clean work?

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-11-03

My Rating:

by Maria (Hickory, NC)

My deck is 13 months old. I noticed the black spots last week. I stumbled over these complaints while researching how to clean the deck. After reading the complaints and further research, it is my belief that the problem is inherent to the product and not the environment. I have come to this conclusion because my deck is primarily gray with brown borders, crosshairs, and steps. Only the brown is affected. You can’t have three boards side by side, (brown/gray/brown) and the center gray board is without the black spots and claim it’s the environment.
So, did they fix the problem and continue to sell pieces that were infected, or is it possible that the gray will start to spot, too?

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-11-02

My Rating:

by jones (clyde, MI)

Very dissapointed in product, mold and staining!! The so called part time workers at Lowes ( experts? on this product ) offer no help. At time purchased was told that this material was extremely stable and would not fade or change color like treated lumber ,( the reason i purchased this expensive material ) 1 year later im looking at a ugly gray deck with stains and spotting all over it.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-10-26

My Rating:

by Carol (Overland Park, KS)

The class action proposed settlement is now posted at “www.aert.com/class_action_settlement.asp

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-10-23

My Rating:

by June Anderso (4474 rolling Ct, OH)

Mold spots all my desk. PLEASE HAVE SONEONE TELL ME WHAT TO DO —This is crazy as they need to replace my entire deck. What is the process for getting them to you home to sxaimne your desk.From WHAT I see they need t o come put and do the inspection. This complete process should by the company-choicdek or loews!I had not idea that others were having this problem so after 3 threes it’s good to know that it’s just not my deck.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-10-23

My Rating:

by June Anderso (4474 rolling Ct, OH)

Mold spots all my desk. PLEASE HAVE SONEONE TELL ME WHAT TO DO —This is crazy as they need to replace my entire deck. What is the process for getting them to you home to sxaimne your desk.From WHAT I see they need t o come put and do the inspection. This complete process should by the company-choicdek or loews!I had not idea that others were having this problem so after 3 threes it’s good to know that it’s just not my deck.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-10-23

My Rating:

by scott (fox river grove, IL)

I have noticed black spotting on a deck I built about a year ago using ChoiceDek. Like the rest of you, I am very disappointed! I did, however, notice that the spots are forming only on the deck boards and not on the deck railings which are also made of ChoiceDek material. Has anyone else made this same observation?

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-10-11

My Rating:

by Corte LLC (Corte Madera, CA)

RE: Rooter (Sussex, NJ)

Do a mold tests. The kit is relatively inexpensive. The species of mold is generally “aspergillus niger.” Here is the link to help better educate yourself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspergillus_niger

AERT thoroughly cleans the PE plastic and wood fiber (Oak and previously Cedar) prior to heating these materials to within a few degrees of their flash point (before they catch fire) before extruding them into decking. Mold can’t scientifically live at these extremely hot temperatures. Did these facts ” man up” for you?

RE: Jim (woodbrige, NJ) The problem is the “recommended cleaning methods” of chlorine bleach and other products containing the biocide sodium hypochlorite for cleaning mold. Why do you think the EPA, OSHA, ACC, Oregon State University and many other lagitimate organizations DO NOT recommend these biocide containing products for cleaning mold?

RE: scott (fox river grove, IL)

Read my last post for why mold gennerally grows “on the deck boards and not on the deck railings which are also made of ChoiceDek.”

RE: Ken (Sylvania, OH)

As I recall, Since 1998, the ChoiceDek “Limited Warranty”, on their brochures, has disclosed that “Mold & Mildew are not a warranty claim” and always had cleaning instructions that

Please see the Corte Clean website if you want additional facts and science. I am only here to help.

Greg
www.corteclean.com
(415) 924-9500

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Dated: 2008-10-11

My Rating:

by Jim (woodbrige, NJ)

Should have stayed with the wood. After spending 00 on this deck and railings from Choicedek .I’ve got to get use to having a leopard attached to my house. PS have tried all the recommened cleaning methods,also I think Lowes should also be held responsible. They all act like ostrichs when you question them and they direct you to the mfg. Sure take the money and run,just like everything else going on in this country now. Big companies screwing the little people.

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Dated: 2008-10-09

My Rating:

by Rooter (Sussex, NJ)

I just don’t understand how corte(greg) and choice can say the measles are mold spots caused by the enviroment when they BOTH know it was all the dirty recycling that was used!!! Still won’t man up, eh boys

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Dated: 2008-10-06

My Rating:

by Building in Utah (Park City, UT)

Choicedek added a mold inhibitor late 2006: who has used this material in 2007 or 2008? Same problems?
AND…it sounds like everyone with the spot problem bought the grey color.
Who’s used the red color? same probem??

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Dated: 2008-10-06

My Rating:

by Vincent Della Cioppa (Warwick, RI)

I am VERY disappointed with ChoiceDek. The black spots make my deck look ugly. I am a retired senior citizen on a fixed income. I spent a lot of money putting this deck in. I don’t believe the spots are mold, but rather a defect in the composite material. I have tried cleaning with bleach and it didn’t eliminate the spots; all it did was discolor the deck. I firmly believe the Weyerhaeuser coporation should reimburse all the customers who purchased this defective material. It was never stated by the company or the home improvement stores about this defect or problem. It should be taken off the market.

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Dated: 2008-10-04

My Rating:

by Ken (Sylvania, OH)

Chris, The problem is that when I bought choicedek this was not mentioned. I paid over 00 for the decking and constructed the dek my self. The mold and mildew never is removed 100%. For the price and lack of information when I bought it it is not worth the money. The brocher which I still have says you just wash the deck off with a hose and water! Have you ever walked on this deck on a 90 degree day bare foot? I would have been better off with a cedar deck that I could treat every 2 years and wash whith a hose

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Dated: 2008-09-29

My Rating:

by Ken (Sylvania, OH)

I bought my deck at lowes may of 2006. By the end of 9/2006 the mold spots started to appear. I called AERT and they advised I use a mixture of outdoor Clorox bleach and water. It seemed to work great until 4 weeks later the mold spots were comming back. Now every 5 weeks I have to apply Bleach to my deck. I would rather stain the deck every 2 years as I was doing on my old deck. This deck was twice the price as wood decks. I installed in my self and it cost 00. A lot of money for a bad Choice Dek! I have photos if anyone want to see. ken2judy@msn.com

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Dated: 2008-09-29

My Rating:

by Chris (Kalamath Falls, OR)

Corte Clean product works for me. I tried it after the chlorine bleach failed while the fumes almost killed me. Clean my ChoiceDek with Corte Clean spring and fall with an occasional touch up after a party or when my wife bitches at me to get it clean. It does not have a terrable chlorine smell. My ChoiceDek is far easier to maintain than my old wood deck now that I have found this product. The best part is it gets rid of all the stains from my BBQ, dogs and the mold. Most of you whining on this site are totally unrealistic about the performance of ChoiceDek. My old wood deck got dirty and moldy too.

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Dated: 2008-09-28

My Rating:

by Corte LLC (COrte Madera, CA)

RE: Rick (Tampa, FL) 2008-09-24

Did you not read the “Modern Marvels “Mold & Fungus” post below? You clearly need to educate yourself on the subject! You may want to look at the black spots under a microscope or scrape a little off and do mold testing before making additional claims? Please, do not quote me for statements that I have never made regarding Corte Clean®.

Thank you for the Corte Clean® testimonial! Corte Clean® does “work” for effectively removing mold stains (black spots) when people cleaning composites have:

1.)Enough Corte Clean® to thoroughly clean the square footage of composite at the 2.5 Cup/Cap per gallon of water strength (3lb cleans approx. 300 sq. ft. of mold stained composite surface and the 6lb cleans approx. double that).
2.)Read and follow the Corte Clean® label directions and/or watch the demo video/read the www.corteclean.com website.
3.)Thoroughly Corte Clean® the composite until you can no longer see mold stains after rinsing, when the deck is wet (water magnifies stains on composites as clearly stated in the Corte Clean “FAQ”).

I am not sure what you are referring to when you state “sometimes”? Either Corte Clean® got your composite mold stains clean or it did not. Judging from the way you phrased your statement, Corte Clean cleaned your composite deck but you are/were unhappy that the mold returned?

!!!Corte LLC DOES NOT, AND HAS NEVER, CLAIMED THAT CORTE-CLEAN® PREVENTS MOLD OR MILDEW FROM RETURNING TO ANY BRAND OF COMPOSITE DECKING!!! As a matter of fact, Corte LLC clearly states on every container of Corte Clean® “Re-growth of Mold & Mildew is not a warranty claim” and in the “FAQ” at corteclean.com. Corte LLC HAS NOT CURRENTLY FOUND ANY PRODUCTS/CHEMICALS THAT PREVENT MOLD ON COMPOSITES and/or ARE WORTH THE EXTRA TIME OR MONEY. See the corteclean.com website “FAQ” for what we have found effective for keeping your composite clean based on many composite owners input and myself personally cleaning and scientifically observing many composite decks. Mold stains will not return to a thoroughly Corte Cleaned composite surface until new mold spores (seeds) land on its surface and receive moisture. For when this is likely to happen, please see the following weather channel links @ www.weather.com/newscenter/nationalforecast/index.html?from=secondarynav & www.weather.com/maps/activity/allergies/usmoldspores_large.html

The “other products” that you have used are likely the reason Corte Clean® is only working for a “little while.” If these “other Products” were used before or after Corte Clean® and contain CHLORINE BLEACH or SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE, they will likely exacerbate mold growth; “See Oregon State University Scientific Study “Ability Of Bleach And Other Biocide Treatments To Remove & Prevent Mold Growth.” www.traskresearch.com/mold_bleach.pdf Your use of “other products” is likely causing your and others “problem coming back” because all you have done is bleached the MOLDS ROOT (hyphae of a mycelium) and provided moisture for them to immediately re-grow as clearly stated in the: “Town & Country Magazine SPECIAL GREEN ISSUE 4/2007 p.180. Chlorine bleach will evaporate within a short period of time, especially when it is used in hot temperatures and the composite surface is in direct sunlight. If the composite is not dry when the bleach evaporates, or moisture is still in the contaminated area on the composite (humidity, outside air dampness, etc.), the contamination process is re-started immediately and to a greater degree.”

Use of biocides containing or mixed with sodium hypochlorite such as: chlorine bleach and most deck cleaning products are not recommended by the United States (US) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) www.epa.gov/mold/moldcourse/chapter1/lesson7.html and US Occupational Safety & Health Administration www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib101003.html for cleaning mold. WARNING! “It is a violation of Federal (EPA) law to use a biocide in any manor inconsistent with label directions.” People or employees cleaning composite decks of mold with chlorine bleach or sodium hypochlorite containing products/chemicals beware! If you get caught you could get approx. 3 violations. Ignorance of federal environmental laws is no excuse to break them, regardless of what any manufacturer or employer recommends you do so. Here is a link that explains the penalties: http://criminal-law.freeadvice.com/criminal-law/environmental-law-violations.htm If you do not believe this, invite the EPA and OSHA to observe you clean your composite deck of mold with the currently recommended “Mold & Mildew treatment” that can be found at: www.choicedek.com/products/deck-care/ or www.choicedek.com/products/deck-care/ChoiceDekCleaning.pdf as of 9/26/08.

The “other surfaces around the product i.e. siding, treated wood structure supporting the product” would likely not get mold stains as quickly, if at all, because the siding is a vertical surface and likely painted or not made from organic material such as wood that mold feeds on. Additionally, Mold spores (seeds) have a tough time landing on, sticking to and growing on vertical surfaces unless the surface is wet but running water is not present (not raining). Rain generally rinses mold spores to flat horizontal surfaces (like deck boards). When the mold spores receive moisture (rain, humidity, morning dew, or use of the wrong cleaning chemical), they live, grow, release millions if not billions of spores resulting in mold stains when they receive moisture. This is why we clearly state on the Corte Clean® label directions “Allow surface to dry completely” (for best results, let the composite completely dry for 24 to 48 hours before cleaning mold stains as clearly stated in the Corte Clean® “FAQ” on our web site). You may have notice the mold stains generally only appear on horizontal composite surfaces?) The “treated wood structure supporting the product” is mostly vertical and “treated” with a toxic pesticide/fungicide such as; CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) banned in the US in 2004 for residential use, ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quaternary) or CA (Copper Azol ) to prevent fungus growth, such as mold, from eating the organic wood, there for, these materials should not grow mold (although Corte LLC receives inquiries all the time asking “will Corte Clean® clean mold from treated lumber?). I hope this scientifically explains why mold is not generally noticible on these surfaces, but I bet if I came to where your composite deck is, I would find mold on all the building materials you have mentioned and a whole lot more?

Corte Clean® is not just “great for basic cleaning” of composites. It resolves the toughest stains people and the natural, outdoor environment can possibly cause, in one product, without the expense, labor or risks of using all the other chemicals the manufacturer of your decking recommends for specific staining issues. If each of the chemical cleaners they recommended cleans 300 sq. ft. and cost ten dollars each, it would cost you twenty to forty dollars to clean it (plus fines if you get caught). Corte Clean will clean your composite for approx. twenty to thirty dollars depending where you purchase it without all the risks, especially when it comes to corrosion to the structural metal supporting and holding your composite together.

www.strongtie.com/productuse/corrosion_risks.html www.uspconnectors.com/GoldCoat/gc_corrosion.shtml

I do not see any reason why you or any other person would be upset that I am “posting on this forum”, “Greener Building.org”, posts related to cleaning your brand of composite decking in a; GREEN, ECO-FRIENDLY manor with Corte Clean “GREEN”, ECO-FRIENDLY composite cleaner? After all, “Greener Building is your source for sustainable building products and ideas.” I believe I am using this brilliant website/blog for the exact purpose its creators intended.

Don’t you find it interesting that the manufacturer and retailer of your composite decking (www.choicedek.com/) markets, advertises and sells their composites to customers like you as; “ChoiceDek® is the right choice for decks and the environment” and “Why Green” (www.choicedek.com/why-green/) while currently (9/26/08) recommending some of the most dangerous, toxic, corrosive, unhealthy, chemicals for cleaning it? Didn’t you, at least in part, purchase your composite deck because of its environmentally friendly reputation? Why the heck would you want to clean it with environmentally destructive chemicals?

I completely agree with you that “People here have a real and valid complaint” related to mold staining issues on their composite decks and yes, I am “seeking profit for a product” that is proven effective by the top three (3) biggest competitors to the manufacturer of your composite deck in an attempt to help “People here” resolve their “valid complaint” related to staining issues such as mold. I am also trying to educate employees of this manufacturer that their current cleaning recommendations for “Mold & Mildew treatment” are exacerbating their and their customer’s mold stain problems while polluting our environment.

I completely disagree with your statement that Corte Clean® is “not going to solve their” “low maintenance problem” because we have many satisfied customers who are realistic about cleaning their composite decking when mold stains appear. Nobody likes to clean but if you want your composite to look nice, you have to clean it. Any person who believes that composites are “no maintenance”, in an outdoor, uncontrolled outdoor environment, is unrealistic. After all, my shower is pretty much “low maintenance” but when it gets mold stained/dirty, I use a proven, eco-friendly, shower cleaner to clean it and not chemicals/products that the EPA clearly does not recommend. Same is true with my toilet, concrete patio, fiberglass boat (before I sold it), etc.

I personally do not think that composite are “defective junk decking.” As a matter of fact, I believe composite decking is a great product for those environmentally conscious (minus the current cleaning instructions involving toxic and/or polluting chemicals) customers who are realistic about the need to clean them when they become dirty with the proper cleaner like Corte Clean. They save millions of acres of forest land from being chopped down for decking every year while recycling plastic and wood. The benefits over wood are clearly worthwhile (no twisting, checking or cracking), minus having to clean them when they appear dirty. Unlike wood decks which require to be cleaned, then painted, stained or sealed, in order to make them last, if you fail to clean them, they will still last a long time providing years of added value. If I can be of further service to you, please contact me.

www.corteclean.com

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Dated: 2008-09-26

My Rating:

by Brian (Indianapolis, IN)

After noticing black spots on my 1 year old deck, I started poking around only to find that everyone is having the exact same problem on many deck types (ChoiceDek, Trex, etc.) Any product made of wood and plastic seems to be having this issue. While I in no way endorse, agree with or even think it is OK for a company to sell a product without proper education on what the consumer should expect, the one thing we should all keep in mind is that class action suits do one thing….Make all the lawyers involved very rich. The big loser in a class-action … WE ARE!!! If a consumer sees anything, it is typically pennies on the dollar – coming from someone with 3 class-actions behind me. Don’t get me wrong, if a suit gives me even 0 in my pocket, I’ll take it, but I’ll never expect to be whole. I’ll keep an eye on this, but I know I’ll never see a cent of labor that went into building the deck and may only receive some replacement boards or compensation in lieu of. Beware though – consumer culpability will be on following MFR specs which we oftentimes have no control over when someone installs it for us (like gapping or ventilation). I just bought Corte-Clean…hopefully it works. MFR says to clean it annually, so if Corte Clean works for even 6 months, I’m satisfied. Here’s to hoping for the best.

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Dated: 2008-09-25

My Rating:

by Rick (Tampa, FL)

Wonderful Greg…shame that the problem is not mold and is inherent to this product, yet you use this forum to continual claim your product is the “cure-all.”
Yes, your product works sometimes for a little while, like many others but the problem keeps coming back although no other surfaces around the product i.e. siding, treated wood structure supporting the product has the problem. I’m sure your product is good for basic cleaning, but it is my opinion that you are taking advantage of this forum for self gain. People here have a real and valid complaint and you are seeking profit for a product that is not going to solve their no or low maintainence problem. The only solution is to get rid of the defective junk decking.

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Dated: 2008-09-24

My Rating:

by Greg (Corte Madera, CA)

See the History Channel Modern Marvels episode “Mold & Fungus” to better educate yourself on mold.
www.history.com/shows.do?action=detail&episodeId=358486

“DO NOT USE BLEACH” About 15 minutes into the episode.

It is easy to predict when mold is likely to grow on or return to a thoroughly cleaned (chlorine bleach does not thoroughly clean, kill or remove mold from porous building materials) ChoiceDek by viewing the following links from The Weather Channel@ www.weather.com/newscenter/nationalforecast/index.html?from=secondarynav www.weather.com/maps/activity/allergies/usmoldspores_large.html

For more truthful scientific facts and information related to fungus and mold, please visit www.corteclean.com

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Dated: 2008-09-21

My Rating:

by john goodwin (camp hill, PA)

1 year ago we installed choice decking at a customers house. about 15’000 dollars worth. fortunately for me it was the customer that picked the material.
same story as the rest, spotting like crazy and now looks like a turd. i went to lowes to bitch and they called choice on the spot. their response was to clean it with outdoor bleach. the homeowner has contacted an attorney. hope she gets some satisfaction. this product is total shit and i’ll tell everyone i know not to use it.

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Dated: 2008-09-19

My Rating:

by S.B. (Fort Mill, SC)

Another “black spot crisis.” After sorting through these posts, glad to hear there is a cleaner available that is semi-efficient (after washing the “black spots” twice with bleach only to have them return). However, I’m not very interested in what I CAN DO to FIX a manufacturing issue. I simply do not want the ugly thing. We have an absolutely gorgeous patio, pretty landscaping, beautiful pergola and this dreadful, awful, ugly, black-spotted, homely deck. I am very confused about where to start. Anybody who has been on the forum for a while, can you suggest guidance in terms of reimbusement, joint the class-action suit, ???? Have you had any success with retaliation? I have washed/scrubbed that deck 3 times in the past 3 months and I cannot/will not use that as the temporary alternative to their crappy product. Lowes told us to call the Choicedek rep….I can imagine how effective that will be. I am in the same location as David from Charlotte…same climate…lots of sun, infrequent rain.

BTW, we did have warping issue too. We had to take it apart and put it back together using larger spacing. This thing has been a nightmare.

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Dated: 2008-09-15

My Rating:

by Sandy (Dothan, AL)

Used the Corte Clean product after not being successful with products from Lowe’s, Home Depot and the local lumber yard. Cleaned all the stains including the mold. Mold stains have not returned for over six months to my Choice Deck. I highly recommend this product.

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Dated: 2008-09-13

My Rating:

by Jayne (Manchester, TN)

Need to know how to get in the class action law suit. Please someone

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Dated: 2008-09-08

My Rating:

by jayne (Manchester, SD)

Wrong rating. Need to know how to get in the class action law suit. Please someone

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Dated: 2008-09-08

My Rating:

by Jim (Tampa, FL)

class action = lieffcabraser.com

stock down to 38 cents :)

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Dated: 2008-09-08

My Rating:

by Jim (tampa, FL)

AERT @ 45 cents a share…lmao. Jeff, you are a moron.

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Dated: 2008-09-04

My Rating:

by Mitzi Jones (Lynnville, TN)

Choicedek was used to build the outdoor deck when we built our home in Tennessee after relocating from Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 2006. I cannot tell you how disappointing the product is. After only a short time it has developed black spots on all surface pieces. It is unsightly and stresses me to no end every time I look at it. In trying to find out what to do about this problem, I came across this site. I became even more distressed after reading multiple consumer reports because I realize that the problem cannot be “fixed”. LIke so many others, I just wanted a good, low maintenance deck from which we could enjoy the outdoors. This was the what I was sold. It is not what I got. I cannot believe that the company still manufactures the product or that Lowe’s continues to sell it. I would appreciate any help as to where I should take this problem and what recourse I may have.

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Dated: 2008-09-01

My Rating:

by Paul (Charlotte, NC)

I posted this question yesterday but maybe greenbuilding.org removed it for some reason. Just in case it wasn’t a tecnical glitch, I’ll post again. I asked if anyone knew the main contact for joining the lawsuit. Can any of the 3 attornies be contacted? Is it too late to join? Is there a cost to join the lawsuit?

If this is in violation of this board’s rules, I apologize to greenbuilding org and will not post this again if it’s removed.

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Dated: 2008-08-28

My Rating:

by Alan (Battlefield, MO)

WOW, interesting reading.

I have had this product for several years now and my wife is feed up with the deck looking like crap. “CURSE OF THE BLACK SPOT” will be the title of my eulogy, “He spent his life trying to clean his deck, what incredible determination this man had. But in the end it got the best of him”.

I could clean every month but to no avail, black spot just come back. Like some others in this forum, I don’t think its mold/mildew. The worst spots are in areas that have the most sun exposure. Under my soffits and BBQ grill there are little to no spots. I’m not an expert but wonder how areas that stay wet longer have less problems.

Dying in SW Missouri, AJ

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Dated: 2008-08-27

My Rating:

by Marilyn Fournier (Davison, MI)

This is the worse deck I have ever seen. We had a wood deck before, It was better looking when we removed it then the ChoiceDek the looks of our ChoiceDek that we have had for two years. I was told by Lowes, where we puchased it. That we sould not use the cleaner that ChoiceDek told us to use.
They told us that the material in the deck is causing the mold & black spots. The
company mixed to much water & this is what is causing all the problems. That
cleaning would not help the spots will just com back. I would like to get in on the class action law suite. we put a lot of time & money in our deck & it looks awful.

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Dated: 2008-08-26

My Rating:

by jeff (monroe, LA)

I own a choice deck and have never had a problem. I don’rt know if any of you have ever owned a wood deck but i can tell you that from the few times a year i have to clen this stuff versus painting which peels splintering which hurts and waving which looks like crap. I can’t believe the laziness of some people. What did you think you bought a product that was going to be outdoors and you never had to clean it.

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Dated: 2008-08-22

My Rating:

by jeff (monroe, LA)

By the way if the company is setting aside 6 million for the lawsuit and the lawyers are getting 1.75 million this year and next take 3.5 million from 6 million and the people with the decks get screwed and the lawyers get rich. funny how a class action lawsuit to help these poor lazy people accomplishes nothing but buy a few new toys for the greedy lawyers.

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Dated: 2008-08-22

My Rating:

by John (Clearwater, FL)

Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies Inc. ’s stock continues to sink as the company gets closer to finalizing a legal settlement related to ChoiceDek brand of decking product.

The settlement that could involve as many as 150, 000 claimants will affect the future financial health of the Springdale recycler.

AERT has proposed issuing about $ 2 million per year in related “claim resolution” payments over the next three years, according to a U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing from late July.

AERT’s stock closed Thursday at 49 cents per share — one penny shy of Wednesday’s 52-week low of 48 cents per share.

Eric Glover, an equity analyst with investment bank Canaccord Adams in San Francisco, said the poor performance of AERT’s stock is attributable to several changes including the settlement of the ChoiceDek lawsuit filed in February.

Jonathan D. Selbin, a plaintiffs’ attorney with Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein in New York, said as many as 150, 000 people were eligible complainants, but he doubted that many would file before the deadline.

Customers of ChoiceDek who said they found mold on their decks have about six months to become a part of the settlement, according to a July 30 U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

ChoiceDek is a brand of outdoor deck materials that is owned by Weyerhaeuser Co. However, AERT, which manufactured ChoiceDek, is in the process of acquiring that brand.

The group suing AERT wants the product warranty honored or a refund issued.

Selbin said several tiers of relief were being negotiated, with the highest level being a cash reimbursement to cover the cost of the decking.

The average deck cost ranged between $ 3, 000 and $ 7, 000, he said.

AERT in July estimated it would shell out an additional $ 1. 75 million in attorney fees Continued from Page 1 D between now and next year, according to the same SEC filing.

The company using recycled waste wood and plastics to produce different home-related building products became part of the ChoiceDek lawsuit in February as a result of its manufacturing role. AERT made ChoiceDek for Weyerhaeuser Co. of Federal Way, Wash., which in turn sold it through Lowe’s Home Improvement stores. Sales to the paper products giant constituted 75 percent of the manufacturer’s 2007 sales.

All three businesses were named as defendants in the lawsuit filed in the U. S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle.

AERT recently said it will end its relationship with Weyerhaeuser next year.

The deal also includes dropping Weyerhaeuser from the lawsuit and allowing the manufacturer to acquire the ChoiceDek brand. No new details about the brand transfer agreement have been given.

Several calls to AERT officials were not returned.

What’s dragging down AERT’s stock price is the combination of the lawsuit, the loss of AERT’s distribution relationship with Weyerhaeuser and the housing slowdown, Glover said.

As a result of eliminating Weyerhaeuser, AERT must buy all ChoiceDek inventory from the paper company before January. AERT also had to find a new distributor, he said. Analysts say the broader market also poses a problem. The cost of wood has plummeted in the wake of a drop in residential construction. That has widened the price gap between composite lumber such as ChoiceDek and its next cheapest competitor — pressure-treated lumber, said Keith Johnson, an equity analyst with Morgan Keegan & Co., a Memphis-based investment bank. Glover of Canaccord Adams said AERT “has run into some trouble.” And the trouble has been reflected in AERT’s stock. At the time the lawsuit was filed, AERT’s stock was closing above $ 1 per share. Company officials were notified by Nasdaq regulators just months before that its stock price had to close above $ 1 per share for 10 consecutive days. AERT officials have called the timing of the lawsuit suspicious because the news dampened the price of its stock and lessened a chance at compliance. The company has until Dec. 18 to bring the price of its stock above that threshold or face delisting from the Nasdaq stock exchange. The company remains out of compliance with the exchange’s regulations. The business employed 662 people at the end of 2007, with 645 people based in Arkansas.

To contact this reporter: lwhalen@arkansasonline. com

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Dated: 2008-08-16

My Rating:

by Ryan (New Hartford, NY)

I recently bought the ChoiceDek composite decking in the Redwood color and the weather the past month has been very cloudy and rainy. Granted, I have only had the decking installed for about 2 months. My deck does see about 50% sun and so far I have no complaints. I have only noticed 2 black spots so far in which they rubbed off with the touch of some water and a rag. However, I did do some research before I installed the decking and found information that suggested installing the joists 12” OC which helps eliminate sagging of the board over time. Some posts I read pointed out that water will pool between joists on the boards when installed 16” OC. Also, I pitched the Deck 1/4” for every 10 feet away from the house to ensure the water runs off correctly. I am not sure if the color of the decking has something to do with the issues pointed out in other posts as it seems many people have the gray decking. Additionally, there is no such thing as “no maintenance” decking, all composite decking requires maintence from time to time and ChoiceDek is not the only company to have these problems. My expectations from the decking is a good powerwashing will be needed at least 2 times a summer so perhaps other people had higher expectations.

On the contrary, I have read some posts about these companies who manufacure composite decking and some factors of the black spotting might not actually be mold. It could possible be due to the materials used to manufacure the boards which come from recycled materials. The posts hints that the companies may not wash the recycled materials properly which are taken from landfills and they are chemically reacting with the other materials in the board in combination to water, humidity and sun. Perhaps a mold sample could be taken of these black spots to determine if it is even mold.

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Dated: 2008-08-15

My Rating:

by Rick (Bentonville, AR)

Ahhahahaha Ahahahaha Ahahahaha. (just playing the role of the manufacturer)

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Dated: 2008-08-11

My Rating:

by Marcia (Roseville, CA)

BEWARE!!!

Same staining as others + all kinds of other stains. Am realistic about the need to clean my composite deck when it gets dirty. Tried the deck cleaners from hardware stores such as Lowe’s & Home Depot without success. Eventually tried the Clorox Outdoor/Liquid Dish Washing Detergent mixture and almost chlorine gassed myself and my family. Hopefully I did not permanently damage our lungs.

Decided to read the labels on the Clorox and Dawn and can’t believe ChoiceDek is recommending mixing these chemicals. WARNING!!! Read the labels of Clorox and anything other than water before you consider trying this negligent cleaning recommendation. Can’t believe I wasn’t smart enough to carefully read and follow these chemicals label directions, resulting in exposing myself and my family to a toxic cloud that stunk of chlorine and ammonia.

Cleaning Results… Caused black rust stains around my stainless steel screws, did not get the mold and other stains out of my deck. Killed all my plants. Nightmare!!!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-08-03

My Rating:

by JAY P. (DAYTONA BEACH, FL)

I sent a review on this choicedec trash some time ago, I cant beleive lowes is still selling this shit, If they were in russia they would be hanged in the town sq. what a trash company, all involved. I replaced my customers deck at his material expence, it still ate me up in labor costs. they are in the class action, but the companys are stalling because they are going to go belly up ( remember the 80”s poor sevice means no bussiness.) I would guess everything else at lowes is a pc. of shit also, including their no knowledge employees. I personally believe everyone is going to get screwed. replace your deck w/ wood & do everthing you can to drive lowes out of bussiness, I know I am. I wish everyone the best of luck. Jay p.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-07-31

My Rating:

by Richard Dygert (New Hartford, NY)

I too have the same spots issue as many individuals I have been reading about. I purchased gray Choice Decking from Lowe’s. In my case I don’t believe the problem is exclusively mold. I believe the spots are leaching out of the composite material. I say this because I have two decks, one that sees the sun 80% of the day and the other only 20%. The sun deck has many dark spots, (I too have chlorox cleaned with no success with spots returning after several weeks), where my other deck has spots to a lesser extent. Also when I moved a storage box on the deck I was surprised to see no spots at all. The deck was clean because that area under the box never saw any sun. I would have expected to see some mold as this area is usually moist from rain. Even where a glass top table was located had fewer spots under the table, (I have photos). My deck when installed was beautiful and the talk of the neighborhood. Now as most people who purchased the Choise Decking are finding out, are the laugh of the neighborhood. My deck looks discusting. Talk about the resale value!!! I would like to be included in any class action litigation and information on this issue. I hope everyone keeps talking so we can get reimbursed for being sold a totally inferior product.

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Dated: 2008-07-29

My Rating:

by Don Kohne (Camdenton, MO)

Not much to add other than we used this decking material from Lowe’s and it is terrible. Have to power wash on a regular basis, every couple of weeks.
Will be replacing. Not sure with what.
Any suggestions appreciated?
I know it won’t be from Lowe’s.
What a waste of time and money.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-07-29

My Rating:

by Don Kohne (Camdenton, MO)

Not much to add other than we used this decking material from Lowe’s and it is terrible. Have to power wash on a regular basis, every couple of weeks.
Will be replacing. Not sure with what.
Any suggestions appreciated?
I know it won’t be from Lowe’s.
What a waste of time and money.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-07-29

My Rating:

by Darin (Atlanta, GA)

I too have the frustrating mildew and spotting problem with the Choice-Dek gray material that many other have evidently experienced. It does not appear to be removable with any of the standard cleaning methods. If anything, the cleaning seems to intensify the visual sharpness of the spotting when it returns several days later.

I also note the AERT has been sued in two class action lawsuits. Can anyone point me to the two firms involved in these lawsuits?

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Dated: 2008-07-28

My Rating:

by barbara (mckean, PA)

This is a follow up to my last review on 7/17/08. I just spoke to another resident in my area who I just found out has a choicedek and has had it one year longer than myself, they built in 2006. They have had no problems with mold and love their deck but after some conversation I asked what color their deck was and they have sandstone. I have gray and am plagued with the reappearing mold. In past reviews a few people have mentioned the color gray? Could this be the only color experiencing the problem? I did contact A.E.R.T and all they did was recommend more chemicals! I hope I am not too late for that class action suit. bl
p.s. I want to love my my deck also:(

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Dated: 2008-07-22

My Rating:

by Gary Grable (Belvidere, IL)

We, too, purchased a “Choicedek” (in 2007) and have the same mold issues as everyone else. We spent over .00 per board (20 foot length) to have a “low maintenance” deck. After complaining to Lowes and AERT since May 2008, AERT has offered to replace the composite deck with more composite decking (however we have to purchase our own screws). Of course, I refused to put this stuff down again, so in order to get our money back we have to sign and have notorized a release ( to protect AERT). This release states that “the customer hereby releases and forever discharges AERT, the retailer, Weyerhaeuser Co…... from all claims and causes of action for damages” etc. The release also states the we “agree to keep the terms of this agreement strictly and completely confidential and shall under no circumstances disclose the fact, nature, amount, or terms of this aggreement…”. I think at this point we are going to contact an attorney and see what we can do. Mind you, we have never asked for the labor cost to remove and install this deck and yet this company has the audacity to want a signed release to protect themselves. Corporate greed at its finest!

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Dated: 2008-07-20

My Rating:

by Carol (Overland Park, KS)

We have also been offered a replacement of materials, but no clear statement as to whether or not the Lowe’s credit could be used for products other than Choicedek! WE’ve been advised not to sign any release, pending the outcome of the class action suit. So…..although AERT claims the product has been reformulated now, I’m holding out for now!

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Dated: 2008-07-20

My Rating:

by joe cortmier (lake charles, LA)

i installed a choicedek deck and have had considerable swelling and sagging issues. this was a deck in cameron LA. it rains every other day and is hot as hades in the summer. has anyone else had these types of problems i would love to hear from you if so e-mail (joecc1061@yahoo.com) or just write a review here

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Dated: 2008-07-18

My Rating:

by Al (Lockport, NY)

This is the worst, Alot of my time and money wasted on a material that looks like crap. Mold, Sagging, Fadeing, You name it No deck would have been a better CHOICE

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Dated: 2008-07-17

My Rating:

by Barb (mckean, PA)

Add me to the very long list of a disgruntled CHOICEDEK customers (read on). I would not recommend CHOICEDEX to anyone! Mold is everywhere and re-appears a few short weeks after cleaning with the recommended outdoor clorox. My decking material was purchased at Lowes in 2007 and I haven’t been able to enjoy my deck at all this year because of the same mold situation everyone else is experiencing. This product is neither barefoot friendly or shoe friendly for fear of transferring mold spores into the house.

How can Lowes or ChoiceDek continue to sell such an inferrior product?

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-07-17

My Rating:

by Donald Lutzke (Dorr, MI)

My deck has been on three years. AERT came once with a gallon of bleach. It was ok for maybe 6 weeks. then we all know what happened. why should I have to do their work. This stuff really sucks. I have cleaned it twice this year and it’s only mid July. I used bleach in May, and yesterday used Clorox cleaner for composite decking. It looks nice today, we’ll see in the near future!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-07-09

My Rating:

by Donald Lutzke (Dorr, MI)

My deck has been on three years. AERT came once with a gallon of bleach. It was ok for maybe 6 weeks. then we all know what happened. why should I have to do their work. This stuff really sucks. I have cleaned it twice this year and it’s only mid July. I used bleach in May, and yesterday used Clorox cleaner for composite decking. It looks nice today, we’ll see in the near future!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-07-09

My Rating:

by Donald Lutzke (Dorr, MI)

My deck has been on three years. AERT came once with a gallon of bleach. It was ok for maybe 6 weeks. then we all know what happened. why should I have to do their work. This stuff really sucks. I have cleaned it twice this year and it’s only mid July. I used bleach in May, and yesterday used Clorox cleaner for composite decking. It looks nice today, we’ll see in the near future!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-07-09

My Rating:

by Donald Lutzke (Dorr, MI)

My deck has been on three years. AERT came once with a gallon of bleach. It was ok for maybe 6 weeks. then we all know what happened. why should I have to do their work. This stuff really sucks. I have cleaned it twice this year and it’s only mid July. I used bleach in May, and yesterday used Clorox cleaner for composite decking. It looks nice today, we’ll see in the near future!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-07-09

My Rating:

by Catarina (Corpus Christi, TX)

I can’t believe people choose to pollute the environment by using products such as chlorine bleach for cleaning composites. Choosing products that damage our environment, regardless of what unscrupolous manufacturers and retailers recommend and/or sell makes you, the polluter; guilty. How irresponsible do you have to be? Shame on any person or company that pollutes or recommends their unsuspecting customers pollute.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-07-09

My Rating:

by Corte LLC (Corte Madera, CA)

RE: David

Thank you for your honest imput on this web site regarding Corte Clean!

Generally, composites decks need to be Corte Cleaned 2x per year, especially in areas where moisture (rain, humidity, ect.) and mold is an issue. In some areas it may be necessary to Corte Clean a composite more or less often. This is far less than most people have to clean their toilet, shower, vehicle, windows, etc.

I would like to send you a FREE container of Corte Clean for your posts. Please contact me. If any other composite owner has any questions related to cleaning a ChoiceDek with an environmentally responsible, safer, alternative to chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite), oxalic acid or phosphate based products or would just like to educate them-self, please see our web site @ www.corteclean.com or call (415) 924-9500 .

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Dated: 2008-07-08

My Rating:

by Clay (Naperville, IL)

Links related to why corrosive chlorine bleach and other biocide containing chemicals (sodium/calcium hypochlorite) should not be used for cleaning mold stains from expensive composite decking.

Simpson Strong-Tie Manufacturers Approximately 77% Of All Decking Hardware (Including Swan Secure Fasteners) Clearly Disclose The “General Corrosion Risks” of Cleaning “chemicals”

www.strongtie.com/productuse/corrosion_risks.html

USP Structural Connectors Manufactures Much Of The Remaining Metal Decking Hardware Clearly Discloses Causes Of Corrosion From “External Attack” By “Chemicals.”

www.uspconnectors.com/GoldCoat/gc_corrosion.shtml

Oregon State University Scientific Study “Ability of bleach and other biocide treatments to remove and prevent mold growth”

www.traskresearch.com/mold_bleach.pdf

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-07-08

My Rating:

by Ken (Sylvania, OH)

I bought my deck at lowes may of 2006. By the end of 9/2006 the mold spots started to appear. I called AERT and they advised I use a mixture of outdoor Clorox bleach and water. It seemed to work great until 4 weeks later the mold spots were comming back. Now every 5 weeks I have to apply Bleach to my deck. I would rather stain the deck every 2 years as I was doing on my old deck. This deck was twice the price as wood decks. I installed in my self and it cost 00. A lot of money for a bad Choice Dek! I have photos if anyone want to see. ken2judy@msn.com

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Dated: 2008-07-06

My Rating:

by Ken (Sylvania, OH)

I bought my deck at lowes may of 2006. By the end of 9/2006 the mold spots started to appear. I called AERT and they advised I use a mixture of outdoor Clorox bleach and water. It seemed to work great until 4 weeks later the mold spots were comming back. Now every 5 weeks I have to apply Bleach to my deck. I would rather stain the deck every 2 years as I was doing on my old deck. This deck was twice the price as wood decks. I installed in my self and it cost 5000. A lot of money for a bad Choice Dek! I have photos if anyone want to see. ken2judy@msn.com

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Dated: 2008-07-06

My Rating:

by Ken (Sylvania, OH)

I bought my deck at lowes may of 2006. By the end of 9/2006 the mold spots started to appear. I called AERT and they advised I use a mixture of outdoor Clorox bleach and water. It seemed to work great until 4 weeks later the mold spots were comming back. Now every 5 weeks I have to apply Bleach to my deck. I would rather stain the deck every 2 years as I was doing on my old deck. This deck was twice the price as wood decks. I installed in my self and it cost 00. A lot of money for a bad Choice Dek! I have photos if anyone want to see. ken2judy@msn.com

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-07-06

My Rating:

by David (Charlotte, NC)

This is follow-up to my earlier posts concerning ChoiceDek and cleaning with Corte Clean. I cleaned our deck with Corte Clean on 3/24/08, and mold spots reappearred the week of 6/23/08. So, my thorough cleaning job lasted about 3 months. And once I noticed the mold spots, they really took off from there with our almost daily rain shower, sun, and temps in the high 80s and low 90s. According to Weather.com, mold activity in our area was moderate last week which may have contributed to the mold’s rapid growth last week.

Regarding Corte Clean, I’m still a fan. It doesn’t prevent mold but it wasn’t advertised as such. Corte Clean does a great job of cleaning. Just be sure you apply it in the sun which makes a big difference.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-07-01

My Rating:

by Corte LLC (Corte Madera, CA)

RE: Rooter (Sussex, NJ) & Mick Haney (Overland Park, KS),

Corte LLC does not claim that Corte Clean prevents mold stains. We have posted this before! Corte Clean will only clean stains caused by mold, grease, rust, tannins, etc. We do not want to mislead any person.

Mold stains will generally return to a thoroughly Corte Cleaned (can’t see mold stains when the composite is wet or dry) composite when new spores (seeds) land on a composite surface and receive moisture (rain, humidity, etc.). See the following Weather Channel links for when this is likely in your area.

www.weather.com/newscenter/nationalforecast/index.html?from=secondarynav

www.weather.com/maps/activity/allergies/usmoldspores_large.html

Corte Clean has many satisfied customers who are realistic about the need to clean their composite deck, dock and fence when it becomes dirty with stains caused by mold, grease, rust, etc. Unfortunately, most exterior building materials need to be cleaned if the owner wants their composite to look nice. Fortunately, most composites do not need to be painted, stained or sealed in order for them to last (like wood decks).

Mick, it was likely the chlorine that killed your bushes and not the Corte Clean!

If any person has any questions regarding cleaning a composite with Corte Clean, call us @ (415) 924-9500.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-06-30

My Rating:

by Mick Haney (Overland Park, KS)

I have been through cleaning this deck with Chlorine and Corte Clean. Neither provided any long term solution, though all my bushes died. I have been visited by AERT, pictures taken, and the latest is AERT hired a professional cleaning company, ‘Mold Solutions’, with some new magical sealer (Microbe Gaurd – per the brochure they left me). They did a great job of cleaning my deck about two months ago, but alas, the mold is back everywhere.. Called the cleaning company last week, they stated that the magic sealer was applied incorrectly (using a fogger).. They are returning this week to ‘try again’.. AERT is picking up this tab, but only time will tell whether this third round will make any difference. My Status at this point, Mick

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Dated: 2008-06-23

My Rating:

by Carol (Overland Park, KS)

We are also frustrated with our moldy mess! AERT has offered to replace the deck materials, NOT the labor to tear out or rebuild…but only with more choice deck! I’ve asked for a written confirmation of this, and they claim it is the contract builder’s error, and they should rebuild! No new news yet on the class action status, but have an excellent contact with the law firm. Please see older posts to obtain this information.

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Dated: 2008-06-23

My Rating:

by gordon (the plains, WI)

this is a faulty product in more ways than one. when it comes to the consumer reports ratings i was disappointed that surface heat was not included in the ratings. not only does choicedek mold and mildew it has an extream surface tempature when exposed to direct sun light. i’d be curious of others experience with this problem. i have left two pair of sandels on my deck and they have melted. others thoughts… ?

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Dated: 2008-06-20

My Rating:

by Rooter (Sussex, NJ)

Ok folks, so here it is just 2 “f” in months after useing Corte CLean on my UNChoice Dek and the measles are back! I can’t understand how these Idiots can stand by a shitty product, Choice and corte! Bet they all have wood dicks i mean decks. What a bunch of shleps!

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Dated: 2008-06-17

My Rating:

by John Hudson (Cookeville, TN)

I build my deck in the fall of 2006. Within a few months it began spotting and sagging. I paid an exorbitant price at Lowe’s for materials I expected to be maintenance free. What a joke. I started out hand scrubbing with limited success, then went to a power washer which works, but clearly has an abrasive affect on the color. Then I tried straight bleach from a garden sprayer which works best of all. But the process still has to be done every 2-3 months. Surely there is something you can seal the deck with to prevent the mold. On the otherhand, what have I gained by using overprices Choice Dek if I have to clean and seal?

What a waste of time and money for something that is essentially worthless? Where’s the classaction lawsuit when you need it.

Fullfilled: EcoBUILD

Dated: 2008-06-13

My Rating:

by Carol (Overland Park, KS)

The class action suit in close to being resolved. Contact Ssakamoto@lchb to be included.

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Dated: 2008-06-13

My Rating:

by Mary Grable (Belvidere, IL)

We, too, purchased a Choicedek with the belief that this would be a low maintenance option. What a surprise to find that less than 2 months after it was installed the deck was covered in mold and mildew. Our deck faces south and receives no shade and yet we were told that this is an environmental problem and isn’t covered under the warranty. I have contacted the company and have had no satisfaction. I intend to go back to Lowes and demand a full refund. Let them fight with Choicedek. Has anyone else had any luck with Lowes?

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Dated: 2008-06-11

My Rating:

by Mike Marshall (Olympia, WA)

I bought this deck 1 yr ago. Black mold dots are now everywere, even on the trim. Not happy, but decided to find out how to clean this easy upkeep deck. lol. I was told at purchase that just pressure wash it once a year and use a mild detergent if I wanted. I was told not to use a wood deck cleaner. Well good luck folks. Now I’m getting all kinds of advise, including using a wood deck cleaner (Lowel”s) also including, outdoor bleach to corte clean. Not to pressure wash with pressure and after that use a mold control product. (To bad that wasn’t added to the decking during mansfacturing!) I did’t buy this product to clean it every 3 monthes. Buy wood. At least you know what your getting.

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Dated: 2008-06-11

My Rating:

by David (Charlotte, NC)

This is another update to my original posting on 3/24/08 after cleaning my ChoiceDek with Corte Clean. Still no mold. The deck is slowly getting dirty but of course that’s to be expected. I still occassionally blow of the deck with a leaf blower. I have not used a hose on the deck since I cleaned it. Tmperatures have been in the high 80s to mid 90s. I’m sold on Corte Clean and will use it again.

Also, the July 2008 issue of Consumer Reports has an article and ratings on deck materials and stains. Most of the composites earned a fair to poor rating on mildew. ChoiceDek received a poor rating, and so did Trex Brasilla and Accents, Monarch Exotics, Fiberon Tropics, and Rhino Deck Vision Solid. Earning a fair mildew rating is Veranda and Fiberon Professional. Oasis earned a good rating. Tamko EverGrain earned a very good rating. Lastly, Symmantrix and TimberTech Earthwood received an excellent rating.

Also, ChoiceDek received a a good rating for sagging, while most others received a very good or excellent rating, except for Oasis which also earned a good rating.

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Dated: 2008-06-05

My Rating:

by Sean (Sacramento, CA)

This article:
http://www.wral.com/5onyourside/story/2909644/

Said ChoiceDek added a mold inhibitor in late 2006. Is there anyone that has a deck built after late 2006 that is experiencing the mold issue? In addition, how bad is the discoloring?

Thank you for any help.

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Dated: 2008-06-05

My Rating:

by Jenny (Toronto, ON)

Wow, surprising that the company does not address the spotting mold problem. We were looking at using Choicedek but just wanted to find out what low maintenance would mean. We have now decided to go with stained cedar. It looks like lot less work and maintenance.

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Dated: 2008-06-02

My Rating:

by RC (Washington, NC)

I think the post dated 2008-05-27 is missing the point of most of this rhetoric. When I spent a substantial amount of extra money for composite rather than wood deck material it was with the understanding that I would have a low or almost no maintenance deck. As most of you posting here agree, that is not the case. While I have found that Corte Clean does much better than the Clorox and detergent that AERT and Lowes recommends, the maintenace is alot more expensive and labor intensive than I ever anticipated. By the way, who is “Clean Deck (S, AR)”? He writes a good deck cleaning tech manual. How many ChoiceDek purchasers ever thought they would need one of those.

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Dated: 2008-05-31

My Rating:

by Ken (sylvania, OH)

I bought my deck at lowes may of 2006. By the end of 9/2006 the mold spots started to appear. I called AERT and they advised I use a mixture of outdoor Clorox bleach and water. It seemed to work great until 4 weeks later the mold spots were comming back. Now every 5 weeks I have to apply Bleach to my deck. I would rather stain the deck every 2 years as I was doing on my old deck. This deck was twice the price as wood decks. I installed in my self and it cost 00. A lot of money for a bad Choice Dek! I have photos if anyone want to see. ken2judy@msn.com

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2008-05-30

My Rating:

by Clean Deck (S, AR)

In an outdoor environment, periodic cleaning will help keep your deck looking new. As with any flooring surface,
periodic cleaning is recommended. It is also easy to do following these simple steps:
General Cleaning:
1. Sweep off your deck surface, or blow off debris with a leaf blower. Keeping the deck surface dry prior to cleaning will allow the
deck cleaner to work more efficiently.
2. Keep gaps between boards open and free of debris for proper drainage and airflow.
3. Utilize a general purpose deck cleaner with a pump up sprayer. Examples are Olympic or Severe Weather Deck cleaner, which
are available at Lowe’s.
4. Spray and saturate the deck surface following manufacturer’s directions; let stand 15-20 minutes then rinse off.
5. For stubborn stains, additional cleaning and light brushing or scrubbing may be required.
Mold & Mildew
Mold and mildew exist in all environments both inside and outside, from shower curtains to exterior siding to deck surfaces. In
order to grow, mold and mildew require a food source, air, water and warm temperatures. These organisms primarily feed on
dead or decaying organic matter.
In some environments, especially where high humidity exists, a decking system may host a “flower pot” effect whereby, dirt,
dust, tree and leaf debris, pollen, potting soil, etc., can accumulate on the deck surface and create a growing medium for mold
and mildew. Therefore, periodic removal of surface debris can help minimize mold and/or mildew growth. Keep gaps between
boards open and free of debris for proper drainage and airflow. Allowing proper drainage and avoiding standing water will help
prevent mold and mildew growth.
In most cases, the house siding, fencing and cement adjacent to the deck also support mold and mildew growth. There are
several simple and easy cleaning methods for addressing these external environmental conditions. However, it is important to
follow cleaning procedures for maximum effectiveness.
Note: When using bleach in a cleaning solution please read the label and follow all safety precautions. Test a small section of your deck using the
cleaning solution prior to cleaning the whole deck.
Test instructions: The Clorox® Bleach Color-Safe Test
Want to see if colored decking is bleach safe?** Try this simple test!
1. Mix 2 teaspoons of bleach with ¼ cup water.
2. Dab 1 drop of solution on a hidden part of your deck.
3. Be sure to test all colors and any decorative trim or ribbing.
4. Wait 1 minute, then blot dry with paper towel.
If there is no color change, the decking can be safely washed with Clorox®
Outdoor Bleach. If there is a color change, dilute solution with water and retest.***
PROPER CLEANING PROCEDURES
1. Do not rinse off or wet your deck; sweep it off and keep it dry.
It is best to have a dry deck for 2 days prior to cleaning, for maximum
effectiveness of the cleaning compound
2. Tools and cleaning supplies required:
a. 2 gallon pump up sprayer
b. Plastic measuring cup
c. Garden hose
d. Scrub brush
e. Rubber gloves (optional)
Most of the above are readily available at your local Lowe’s store.
f. Liquid dishwashing
detergent (with surfactant).
Ingredients will be listed on the
back of the label or on the back
of the bottle. Examples: Dawn®,
Ajax®, Joy® and Palmolive®.
g. Clorox® Outdoor Bleach
Examples of cleaning supplies
DDiirrttyy ddeecckk ssuurrffaaccee
For general cleaning, a solution of 1 quart bleach with 1/3 cup liquid dishwashing detergent to 4 quarts water is recommended.
Prior to application when using bleach, test a small section. If the deck is near flowers or shrubbery, care should be exercised not to
saturate plants with cleaning solution. Wetting them down with water or covering prior to cleaning may be required.
Safety Overview
Before using any cleaning or laundry product, always read the label. The label is more than just a resource for usage, it is your guide
for safe and effective use.
The following safety considerations are crucial to Clorox® Bleach and other cleaning products:
Never store cleaning products around children.
Make sure all products are locked in a secure area, even those products with child-resistant closures. While this type of closure can
reduce the ability of a child to open a product, it does not make the product childproof.
Always re-close caps tightly after use, especially products such as Clorox® Bleach that have child-resistant closures. The cap must be
tight in order to be child-resistant.
When using products around children, make sure the container is out of their reach. Ensure that the product stays under the adult’s
control at all times. Also, do not allow children access to the treated area while it’s drying.
Because of the potential sensitivity of children to the strong odors of bleach and other cleaning products, conduct major cleaning
(floors etc.) when children are not present. Then, ventilate the area and allow surfaces to completely dry before allowing access to
children. Spot cleaning should be conducted in accordance with label directions.
Always read and follow precautions and usage directions before using products. Store products out of the reach of children.
Mixing Directions:
1. Add 1 quart Clorox® Outdoor Bleach, with 1/3 cup liquid dishwashing detergent, to 1 gallon of water*.
3. Sweep off surface dirt and debris
from deck surface (dry).
2. Mix and stir and pour in
sprayer, pump up.
4. Apply cleaning solution, and thoroughly
saturate deck surface, allowing detergent
to foam deck surface.
ChoiceDek® Premium
Cleaning Your Deck
A dishwashing detergent solution like Dawn® Ultra provides added surfactants which foam to lift dirt and debris from the surface.
CAUTION: DO NOT COMBINE A DETERGENT CONTAINING PHOSPHATES WITH BLEACH AS THIS COULD CAUSE TOXIC
FUMES. Ingredients will be listed on the back of the label or on the back of the bottle. Applying to a dry deck surface in conjunction with the
proper proportion of Clorox® Outdoor Bleach, also allows the cleaning action and germicidal power of the bleach to penetrate the
surface and kill the mold and mildew while working in conjunction with the surfactant to provide some residual resistance on the
deck over time.
Note: When using bleach in a cleaning solution please read the label and follow all safety precautions. Test a small section of your deck using the
cleaning solution prior to cleaning the whole deck as bleach can lighten the color of your deck.
The length of time between cleanings will depend on several factors including:
1. Following recommended cleaning procedures.
2. A thorough and consistent cleaning process.
3. External environmental conditions including humidity, excessive rainfall and airborne contaminants.
4. Maintaining proper drainage and airflow in-between deck boards and around the deck surfaces.

*For heavy stains, dosage can be increased up to 6 cups Clorox® and ½ cup liquid dishwashing detergent to ½ gallon of water.
1. Barbeque grease stains – Hot grease droppings can stain any decking surface; use of a splatter guard underneath your grill to
protect your deck is recommended. For grease stains, please remove quickly using a degreaser in conjunction with soap and
water. Soak the stain and scrub with a soft bristle brush; White Lightning Degreaser® and Ultra Dawn® detergent will work well.
Please follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Avoid standing water – Care should be taken to make sure your deck remains dry. Several simple steps should be taken and
certain issues avoided:
a. Make sure deck boards are gapped correctly (1/4” between boards) so the deck can drain and ventilate properly. Do not butt
deck boards tight, side to side like wood. Standing water on your deck surface will only encourage mold and mildew growth.
b. Avoid having gutters, downspouts or drains discharge directly on your deck.
c. Clean gaps between deck boards each spring removing all dirt, leaf and organic debris that has accumulated over the winter
using a flat putty knife or tool which can be run down between the boards and unstop any buildup that may have occurred.
In some cases a high pressure water nozzle may work.
Stain Prevention & Resolutions
Tannin/Rust Metal/ Fertilizer/Barbeque Grease
ChoiceDek® Premium
Cleaning Your Deck
6. Rinse off with garden hose. Do not let any
discolored cleaning solution dry on the deck.
For tough stains, a second application, and light scrubbing with a deck brush may be required.
5. Allow to stand 20-30 minutes while keeping wet
and saturated.
Notice cleaning action and foaming of detergent.
© 2006 by Lowe’s®. All rights reserved. Lowe’s and the
gable design are registered trademarks of LF, LLC.
Dawn® is a registered trademark of Proctor & Gamble.
ChoiceDek® is a registered trademark of
Weyerhaeuser. 2/06
For additional information, please contact Customer Service
E-mail: customerservice@aert.cc or Toll-Free Help Line: (800) 951-5117
Website: www.lowes.com/choicedek
Weyerhaeuser ChoiceDek® is manufactured and warranted by
Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies (A.E.R.T.)
under U.S. Patent #5759680 and covered under NER-596.
d. Sweep or rinse off your deck surface periodically. This is easy and will remove and help minimize the buildup of potential
airborne food sources such as leaf debris, pollen or dust which can encourage and support mold or mildew growth. Again, as
with any flooring surface, periodic cleaning is recommended.
3. Deal with and clean stains promptly. Allowing stains to sit or bake in direct sunlight only makes them harder to clean.
4. If fertilizing potted plants on your deck or fertilizing your lawn, please be advised fertilizer can also stain your deck. If you over
spray/spread, please rinse off quickly and do not leave on the deck.
5. Rust stains from metal furniture, ornamental railings or metal fasteners – Lower-quality steel fasteners or electroplated
screws are not recommended and can stain your deck. On newly installed decks, run-off from metal objects such as lawn
furniture or decorative iron railings can create some temporary staining. This can be removed using a deck cleaner containing
phosphoric or oxalic acid. (Ingredients will be listed on the front label or on the label on the back of the bottle. Using a deck cleaner containing
phosphoric or oxalic acid may lighten your deck.) Stains should be soaked, saturated, wet and scrubbed and allowed to stand with
cleaner for 30 minutes before rinsing off (keep the stain wet with cleaning solution during the 30 minutes). Bad rust stains may
require a second treatment.
Note: Over time, as the surface of the wood/deck surface weathers and shifts from an acidic to a more neutral ph, many such rust stains will dissolve and
flake away. This normally will take 12-14 weeks of weathering to occur.
Note: When cleaning colored deck boards, care should be exercised not to discolor the surface by following the manufacturer’s directions closely.
CAUTION: Do not mix any deck cleaner containing oxalic acid with chlorine bleach or other household cleaning products. Doing so can result in release
of highly toxic gases. Mix using only plastic containers in well ventilated areas.
6. Charcoal burns, cigarette burns – Depending on the depth, the charred surface from such occurrences can be blended in by
washing, allowing it to dry and then lightly sanding the discolored area. Please note, this can alter the surface texture of the deck
and in most cases will not totally go away.
7. Pressure washing – Periodic cleaning with cleaning solution and a pressure washer works well, however extreme pressures
above 1300 PSI should be avoided and spray jets should be maintained 8-10” from the deck surface for best results. If using
bleach, care should be exercised to clean consistently and evenly so as to not streak your deck.
8. Wine, juice stains – On tough, hard-to-remove stains, cleaning with a detergent, in conjunction with 20 Mule Team® Borax or
baking soda is recommended. Following manufacturer’s directions of 1/3 cup detergent, with 1/3 cup cleaning agent in 1 gallon of
warm water; mix, apply and scrub in. Allow to foam and saturate stain spot for 30
minutes. Some stains may require more than one application. Some tough stains may
have to fade out over time, even with cleaning.
9. Tannin stains – Although not very common, sometimes bluish-black “tannin” stains can
develop on ChoiceDek®. These stains are the result of a reaction between the hardwood
fiber in ChoiceDek®, moisture and iron salts. Iron salts can come from many
wood extractive sources – nails and fasteners, metal banding, patio furniture, even saw
blades and tools used during construction. These stains will naturally fade over time or
they can be removed with a deck cleaner containing oxalic acid by soaking and lightly
scrubbing. Using a deck cleaner containing oxalic acid may lighten your deck.
Note: When cleaning colored deck boards, care should be exercised not to discolor the surface by following the manufacturer’s directions closely.
CAUTION: DO NOT MIX ANY DECK CLEANER CONTAINING OXALIC ACID WITH CHLORINE BLEACH OR OTHER HOUSEHOLD CLEANING PRODUCTS.
DOING SO CAN RESULT IN RELEASE OF HIGHLY TOXIC GASES. MIX USING ONLY PLASTIC CONTAINERS IN WELL VENTILATED AREAS.
ChoiceDek® Premium
Cleaning Your Deck
IImprroperr ffasttenerr sttaiins..

• Slight lightening of colored decking may occur during cleaning. *** For more information on Clorox® products please go to www.clorox.com

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Dated: 2008-05-27

My Rating:

by Katy (Raleigh, NC)

We’ve had the same problems as everyone else here. My larger concern now is this…IS THE MOLD A TOXIC HAZARD TO MY CHILDREN?! We spent a ton of money on this stuff which now looks terrible. We have used Corte Clean but it is very expensive and a lot of work. We comfort ourselves by figuring even though our huge deck looks awful, “at least our kids don’t get splinters from walking on it barefoot.” Are our kids at risk from the spotty mold all over it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. What a terrible lesson we have learned from buying this stuff.

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Dated: 2008-05-25

My Rating:

by Daniel (Bourbon, MO)

Millennium Decking is the best composite deck on the market. Check it out at mdecking.com Guranteed to be able to just power wash to clean because water does not get inside it like Choice & Trex

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Dated: 2008-05-22

My Rating:

by Jerry (Durham, NC)

www.wral.com/5onyourside/story/2909644/

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Dated: 2008-05-21

My Rating:

by Vince (Yucca Valley, CA)

I have read the postings regarding to black (mold) spots on composite decking, but it seems like everyone lives in areas with significant humidity, at least during the summer.
We live in the Mojave desert where it rains infrequently, is sunny all year long, and hot and dry in the summer. Does anyone have experience with composite decking under desert conditions? It would seem to me that since mold blows everywhere, when you wash your deck you might have the same problems with black spots as people in more humid areas. True?
Thanks!

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Dated: 2008-05-20

My Rating:

by Stan (Tallahassee, FL)

Had stains on my Choice Deck from grease from the barbecue, rust around my screws (from using the chlorine bleach), suntan oil, food stains, the notorious black spots and all kinds of other crap that we slopped all over our Choicedek. We tried many of the products ChoiceDek recommends without success. We then found the Eco Friendly Corte Clean on the internet. Problem solved. This product was easy to use but took a couple of applications to get the tougher stains out. I liked it better than all the other products because it did not stink of chlorine or other nasty smelling chemicals and actually worked. Although I don’t like to clean anything, ever, when it gets dirty, this stuff gets the job done and it was far less expensive and time consuming than the other products I tried.

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Dated: 2008-05-17

My Rating:

by Eileen (Orlando, FL)

...never buy Home Depot/Lowes products…you get what you pay for. The professional (superior quality) products are sold at your local lumber yards…

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Dated: 2008-05-15

My Rating:

by ken (sylvania, OH)

I bought my deck at lowes may of 2006. By the end of 9/2006 the mold spots started to appear. I called AERT and they advised I use a mixture of outdoor Clorox bleach and water. It seemed to work great until 4 weeks later the mold spots were comming back. Now every 5 weeks I have to apply Bleach to my deck. I would rather stain the deck every 2 years as I was doing on my old deck. This deck was twice the price as wood decks. I installed in my self and it cost 00. A lot of money for a bad Choice Dek! I have photos if anyone want to see. ken2judy@msn.com

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Dated: 2008-05-14

My Rating:

by brigitte mueller (middletown, DE)

We built our deck (and a bigger pool area) three years ago and ONLY had trouble so far. Mold started within the first months. we complained at lowes and they promised to stop by to take photos. they never showed up.
today we went there again and they were totally surprised as if we were the first people complaining. they want to send someone out (haha). I am totally disappointed how lowes is treating his customers. they just told me, I just cleaned it wrong (used corte) and recommended outdoor bleach. not a surprise as I could read in this blog.
I am not willing to live with mold – or to use bleach ( why would I use recyling material and then kill everything close by with chlorox ?) I have three smaller children and want to be able to walk barfoot on my 6000 dollar deck without any health concerns :(
i submitted my complain 5 minutes ago.
our contractor offered us to rebuild the deck – material would be on us, labor would be on him – he is a very honest amish guy and still can’t believe that lowes will not reimburse him as a contractor or us as customers. we still don’t know what to do.

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Dated: 2008-05-03

My Rating:

by Tony (Jupiter, FL)

Everyone should check out www.BioShield75.com

they have a great Mold and Mildew Cleaner MMC-105 which takes care of the mold/mildew.

Then if you Put BioShield down on top of your deck it prevents the re-growth for 6-12 months.

We are on month 3, and our neighbors are on month 4, and no mold/mildew yet!

I will keep you updated.

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Dated: 2008-05-01

My Rating:

by Scott (Boiling Springs, NC)

I have tried the BioShield and MMC-105. They work great!

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Dated: 2008-05-01

My Rating:

by scott (tampa, FL)

some companies histories just speak for themselves over and over again…your either honest or your not…
Client Awarded Compensatory and Punitive Damages
Following a five day jury trial in the Circuit Court of Benton County, Arkansas, Todd P. Lewis of Conner & Winters’ Northwest Arkansas office, was successful in obtaining a verdict on behalf of his client, Advanced Control Solutions, Inc. (“ACS”), in the amount of 0,206.55. The jury assessed compensatory and punitive damages against Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, Inc. (“AERT”) in the amount of 0,206.55. The jury also assessed compensatory damages against Orin B. Justice, a former vice-president and employee of ACS and now a current employee of AERT, in the amount of 0,000.00.
The jury found that AERT improperly interfered with ACS’s employment contract with Mr. Justice, and also that AERT intentionally took approximately ,000 worth of equipment, tools and parts belonging to ACS. The jury also found that Mr. Justice breached his employment contract with ACS. The employment contract prohibited Mr. Justice from becoming an employee of any client of ACS for at least two years. AERT was ACS’s primary customer. The jury found that AERT improperly induced Mr. Justice to breach the employment contract in order to hire him as an employee of AERT.

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Dated: 2008-04-29

My Rating:

by rooter (sussex, NJ)

After trying the “free” sample sent to me by aert at the recommended mix i am still not impressed. While it did remove 90% of the measles it also lightened my deck. If i clean with this product twice a year as recommended i will end up with a white deck, not the grey deck we purchased! It’s a pretty sucky trade-off if ya ask me!

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Dated: 2008-04-28

My Rating:

by Greg (Corte LLC) (Corte Madera, CA)

RE: David

Thank you for your update!

I would suggest sprinkling Corte Clean powder or re-spraying Corte Clean on your clean composite before it rains or while it is wet. This should keep your composite clean for longer periods of time with minimal effort or cost. Keep me posted as to what works best for you.

I greatly appreciate your posts related to cleaning your ChoiceDek with Corte Clean. We are only trying to provide the safest, best working, environmentally responsible cleaning solution for composite owners. If you or any person has any further questions related to cleaning a composite deck, dock or fence, please contact me directly or check out our web site @ www.corteclean.com.

Greg
Corte Clean
(415) 924-9500

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Dated: 2008-04-09

My Rating:

by David (Charlotte, NC)

This is a follow-up to my post on 3/24/08 about my experience using Corte Clean on my ChoiceDek mold.

After 16 days and a lot of rain since I’ve cleaned the deck with Corte Clean our deck is still mold free. Along with the rain, we’ve also had sunny and 70 degree temperatures some of time. I’ve also been blowing off the deck with a leaf blower once per week. There’s been nothing visible to blow away on the deck, but hopefully it’s blowing off mold spores, if that’s even possible. Mold count in our area is presently low. Tree pollen is medium.

One thing I forget to mention in my original post was that I also applied a coating of Corte Clean at the recommended rate and I let it dry on the deck. I did this 2 days after I cleaned the deck. My deck is light gray, so once the chemical dried on the deck I don’t even notice it. Both Corte Clean and AERT recommended this for added protection.

So far I’m extremely happy with the Corte Clean solution to cleaning the mold. Hopefully the deck will remain mold free for at least a few more months.

Dave

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Dated: 2008-04-07

My Rating:

by David Tucker (Rural Hall, NC)

The decks [3] looked beautiful when first installed. By the first fall, the surface started looking somewhat dirty, and now after a year and a half, look quite nasty with what appears to be mildew. I have not been able as of yet to clean the surface, but am accepting the fact a splotched mildew look will be with me forever. It won’t rot, for sure, but hope it poses no health risk to bare feet. Sort of like walking on garbage. I was stupid enough to buy recycled trash, and got what I paid for. Keeping my shoes on for now, however. 4-3-08

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Dated: 2008-04-03

My Rating:

by Jerry D (Fort Mitchell, KY)

2 years ago, I invested 2.5-3 times the additional money to install a composite deck rather than lumber. This was done to offer a low, not no, maintenance solution. I chose the Choice Dek option from Lowe’s, installed according to instructions and my deck now has mold/mildew issues.

It started last summer and after cleaning sections, the spots came back more numerous than before.

Buyer’s remorse and disappointed, I would never trust this product again.

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Dated: 2008-03-29

My Rating:

by Carol (Overland Park, KS)

The class action suit is close to resolution. Check older messages for the site to contact, or Ssakamoto@lchb.com We have been repeatedly contacted by AERT with gift cards, cleaning solutions and visits, but nothing to resolve the issue of the warping. In desperation we painted the deck last summer, and the mold spots continue!!

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Dated: 2008-03-29

My Rating:

by JAY PEERY (DAYTONA BEACH, FL)

DEAR MR, CORTE CLEAN, IM SURE YOUR PRODUCT IS GREAT & I AM SURE YOU ARE MAKING GOOD MONEY FROM ALL US POOR SAPS THAT PURCHACED AN INFERIOR PRODUCT. CLEANING IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH ME, THE CHOICEDEK PRODUCT IS TRASH, EVERYBODY TOGETHER NOW,———— SUE THE BASTARDS, WE ARE.

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Dated: 2008-03-27

My Rating:

by Rooter (Sussex, NJ)

Having the same “f-ing” problem with the “measles” on our deck! We are willing to try the “super cleaner” – Corte clean, but after reading all of the comments am not very opptomistic.You cant wash away a manufacturing defect! Seriously pondering the class action at this point….... Why don’t they just man-up to the fact that there product sucks and make good on it!

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Dated: 2008-03-26

My Rating:

by Rooter (Sussex, NJ)

Having the same “f-ing” problem with the “measles” on our deck! We are willing to try the “super cleaner” – Corte clean, but after reading all of the comments am not very opptomistic.You cant wash away a manufacturing defect! Seriously pondering the class action at this point….... Why don’t they just man-up to the fact that there product sucks and make good on it!

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Dated: 2008-03-26

My Rating:

by Rooter (Sussex, NJ)

Having the same “f-ing” problem with the “measles” on our deck! We are willing to try the “super cleaner” – Corte clean, but after reading all of the comments am not very opptomistic.You cant wash away a manufacturing defect! Seriously pondering the class action at this point….... Why don’t they just man-up to the fact that there product sucks and make good on it!

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Dated: 2008-03-26

My Rating:

by Rooter (Sussex, NJ)

Having the same “f-ing” problem with the “measles” on our deck! We are willing to try the “super cleaner” – Corte clean, but after reading all of the comments am not very opptomistic.You cant wash away a manufacturing defect! Seriously pondering the class action at this point….... Why don’t they just man-up to the fact that there product sucks and make good on it!

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Dated: 2008-03-26

My Rating:

by Rooter (Sussex, NJ)

Having the same “f-ing” problem with the “measles” on our deck! We are willing to try the “super cleaner” – Corte clean, but after reading all of the comments am not very opptomistic.You cant wash away a manufacturing defect! Seriously pondering the class action at this point….... Why don’t they just man-up to the fact that there product sucks and make good on it!

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Dated: 2008-03-26

My Rating:

by CECIL KNIGHT (Ormond Beach, FL)

Has anyone used a local law firm instead of talking with the class action firms in this mess we find ourselves in, if so please e-mail me at knightcecil@hotmail.com. I would be happy with just a return of my investment so I could rebuild my deck. Cecil Knight

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Dated: 2008-03-25

My Rating:

by Greg (Corte LLC) (Corte Madera, CA)

RE: David (Charlotte, NC)

Thank you for the GREAT Corte Clean Testimonial!

I would have used Corte Clean at the 2.5 cup/cap to a gallon of water for maximum strength, especially when it comes to cleaning mold from your ChoiceDek but am glad to hear it appeared worked for you at the lower 1.5 cap/cup strength.

As I mentioned, we do not claim to prevent or kill mold. We only claim to clean it and all common staining issues in an eco-friendly, safe manner. That is currently the sole goal of our company and exactly what we do by providing an alternative to the toxic, unhealthy, dangerous, polluting, corrosive, plant killing chlorine bleach and other biocide (sodium hypochlorite/calcium hypochlorite) containing chemicals for those who choose to be environmentally responsible (GREEN).

The mold will not return to a THOROUGHLY (you can generally tell when the composite is wet) cleaned composite until new mold spores (seeds) land on the composites surface and receive moisture. When this will happen is any persons guess. If I could predict mold re-growth, I would be able predict lottery #’s.

We have not found any eco friendly product that safely prevents mold. We have found that the best way to keep a composite clean is to clean it using Corte Clean at least twice+ per year. Please see my other post for what else we have found to be effective to keep composites clean and free of mold or contact me.

If you or any composite owner has any questions, please contact me directly.

Greg
Corte LLC
(415) 924-9500

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Dated: 2008-03-25

My Rating:

by David (Charlotte, NC)

This is a review of my experience with using Corte Clean on my black spotted ChoiceDek. I last cleaned the deck about 1 year ago with a standard deck cleaning product containing sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide.

I used Corte Clean on my ChoiceDek last Saturday. It was about 70 degrees, sunny, and I used it at the general cleaning recommended rate of 1-1/2 cups per gallon. I followed the directions explicitly. I did not use a power washer for fears of damaging the deck and I also used a deck scrubbing brush on the entire deck with extra effort on the black spots.

The cleaner worked great. I was amazed how quickly it lifted the general dirt. If it wasn’t for the black spots, I could have mostly just sprayed the deck and hosed it off and not used a scrubbing brush. I really like that Corte Clean doesn’t have a bleach odor and found it very easy to use. Last year I used a standard deck wash product and ruined my shirt from bleach stains. Not to mention breathing in bleach vapors and the red irritated skin on my hands (should have worn gloves!)

Corte Clean also removed the North Carolina red dirt stains off the deck, but they did require scrubbing. These stains are typically very hard to get out of anything and I was very suprised Corte Clean removed them. The product also removed the dirt and discoloration stains around a welcome mat.

I sprayed the railings, which was effective, but it wasted too much of this expensive product. Next time I will use a sponge or towel to clean the handrails. I probably used twice as much product as I expected, primarily because of spraying the railings.

As a cleaner, I think Corte Clean worked great. My deck looks as good as new. But, I have no way of knowing if the product killed the mold roots. A few days after it rains I’ll post again and let you know the results. Unfortunately, I’m expecting the mold to return from new mold spores that settle on the deck. I’m just hoping that it won’t be immediate and I can wait another 6 months or so to clean the deck again.

Sadly, the more I read about mold and composite decks the more I’m beginning to believe the problem is not unique to ChoiceDek. Although it seems to be the worst with ChoiceDek, as none of the other composite decks I’ve seen has nearly this problem.

Congratulations and thanks Greg and Corte Clean for an excellent cleaner that works well and is environmentally friendly. At the moment I can only hope that it’s as effective for killing mold as it is a cleaner. I realize Corte Clean can’t prevent mold, but hopefully the mold roots that were in the deck are killed and gone. And as I mentioned earliler, the lack of bleach was a huge benefit for me. Hopefully your product sells very well and you’ll make it more economical to buy.

Dave

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Dated: 2008-03-24

My Rating:

by JAY PEERY (DAYTONA BEACH, FL)

I SEE THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS W/ CHOICEDEK, I FINALLY RPLACED MY CUSTOMERS DECK ( THEY SUPPLIED WOOD DECKING & I AS ORIG. CONTRACTOR SUPPLIED LABOR. AS CHOICEDEC WAS REMOVED, IT WAS SATURATED W/ WATER & YOU COULD BREAK & CRUMBLE MATERIAL IN YOUR HAND, WE HADNT HAD RAIN FOR 8 WEEKS. THE STUFF IS MADE FROM RECYL. PLASTIC & UV RAYS DESTROY THIS STUFF. ANYONE W/ ELEVATED DECK SHOULD BEWARE, YOU WILL SOON BE STEPPING THRU YOUR DECK. I NO LONGER DEAL W/ LOWE’S BECAUSE OF POOR SERVICE. I ALSO KNOW OTHER CONTRACTORS NO LONGER DEALING W/ LOWES BECAUSE OF OTHER SHODDY PRODUCTS THEY SELL BUT DONT BACK UP.

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Dated: 2008-03-17

My Rating:

by Greg (Corte LLC) (Corte Madera, CA)

RE: Mr. Poulos (Howell, MI) and any other ChoiceDek or composite owner reading this…

Thank you for calling me and responding to this blog. We understand the cleaning issues you and other composite owners face when cleaning composites. This is why Corte Clean exists. I hope the information and answers to your questions I provided helped. We are working to provide the best and safest cleaning product/solution and customer service possible. If you or any other composite owner has any further questions, we will do our best to help.

Greg
Corte LLC
(415) 924-9500

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Dated: 2008-03-14

My Rating:

by Thomas Poulos (Howell, MI)

Greg,

I have read all the other posts that are listed here. I do understand what you’re saying and I have contacted you and left my call back information. I welcome a dialog with you, and do hope that your product provides a solution.

However, if you read the posts, you will find that the companies: AERT, Weyerhauser and Lowe’s, knew there was an issue with the spotting and the sagging of the product. They insisted that the issue was not something that could be fixed and provided no remediation or resolution, other than providing the cleaning instructions that can be found on the ChoiceDek website.

Unlike what others have suggested, that I’m lazy and just don’t like cleaning, much to the contrary, I do not have an issue with regular maintenance. However, with this product and following the cleaning suggestions of both Weyerhauser and Lowe’s, no amount of cleaning, no amount of scrubbing and no product that I’ve been recommended, makes the problem go away. The spots reoccur in the exact locations on the boards, and if left alone, the spotting will get worse and the boards will turn almost completely black.

We purchased this product due to the claim that regular painting, staining, sanding and other procedures would be a thing of the past. Regular powerwashing, would keep the product looking beautiful. This claim is not true, in my experience. My deck is 500 sq. feet and was expensive to cover with this material, but I purchased due to the perceived lower cost of ownership, due to the little or no cost of on going maintenance.

Both Lowe’s and Weyerhauser dismissed me when I asked questions, stating that “It was something in the air”, or that “proper installation was not followed”, or that “the soil is conducive to creating an environment where mold, mildew and algae can grow”. I built this deck using all the recommfendations of Lowe’s, galvanized joist anchors, galvanized nails for all the wood parts, galvanized siesmic ties for the joists (and I do not recall that Michigan is prone to or a high risk for siesmic activity), stainless steel screws for the ChoiceDeck boards, etc. I over built this deck and it will probably stand longer than my house. I went to the expense of installing french drains to remove water away from the deck/patio area and I’ve been removing trees. Yet the problems still exist.

As I stated, I have left you my call back information. I have little or no expectations at this time, which is to say I will have an open mind when looking into your product. But, when the companies knew that I was having an issue with the ChoiceDek product, and they knew that others were having the same or similar issues, and they did not report that to me, or make any attempt to look further at my situation and put the issue back on me convincing me that the problem was mine alone, that is another issue.

It’s been 4 years and I only just found this website yesterday. I will not play the part of a patsie again.

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Dated: 2008-03-09

My Rating:

by Thomas Poulos (Howell, MI)

I am not alone and I had no idea that others were having the same problems with their ChoiceDeck product.

For the last almost 4 years, I thought the problem was mine: standing water due to poor drainage issues and soil type (mostly clay under the deck), possible ventilation issues, or others. I have asked Lowes, I have asked Weyerhauser, I have asked other websites that discuss blackmold and it’s causes. I’ve used all the cleaning materials recommended, I’ve sprayed, scrubbed, powerwashed and the spots return, literally within hours of the process, even before the deck is completely dry. I have been told that possibly part of the problem is due to poor installation techniques (I built the deck myself, not a carpenter or contractor), and when I asked for an explanation of the statement, none was given.

The product sat in my backyard for 3 months, in it’s protective wrapping, while the deck was being built. When the boards were unwrapped for installation, the spots started appearing within days of full exposure, even on boards that weren’t installed yet. And that was one of the rainiest Spring/Summer seasons we had in Michigan up to that point.

The materials stated there would be sun-fade. Ok, no problem, the boards actually faded to match the siding on my house. They stated that all that was required was a quick powerwash once or twice a season (spring/fall) and that would keep the product looking “like new”, and it would stand up to normal wear and use better than any wood product. That’s why I bought the product, at it’s greater expense – the low or no cost of maintenance. Nothing in the product literature explained that the boards would, almost immediately, turn almost completely black and I would need to waste weekends (more than twice and not simple) during the season cleaning, rather than enjoying, my deck.

I’ve never been a lawsuit or suing kind of person, but after being made to feel that the problem is my fault, and being offered no recourse or explanation of the problem, I will be joining any litigation.

Thank you all for your posts here, I do appreciate both points of view, but do believe now, that the problem is a product issue and I’m not the only one that has this problem, with this product.

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Dated: 2008-03-08

My Rating:

by Greg (Corte LLC) (COrte Madera, CA)

RE: Mr. Polous,

The major problem is the recommendation of “outdoor bleach” or other biocide (sodium hypochlorite/calcium hypochlorite) containing products in an attempt to clean or kill mold from porous composites. It only exacerbates the problem!!!! See all the other posts on this website for the reasons why. Hopefully the composite manufacturers stop recommending these un-resolving, un-healthy, damaging, polluting, dangerous, toxic, corrosive cleaning chemicals before someone is injured or killed, our planet is polluted any further or the composites they manufacturer get any poorer of a reputation among owners like you. If you choose, I would like to answer any questions you may have. Our only goal is to safely resolve all cleaning issues, including mold, facing composite owners like you.

Greg
www.corteclean.com
(415) 924-9500

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Dated: 2008-03-08

My Rating:

by Bill O (New York, NY)

Are you are really upset about the mold growing on your ChoiceDek? If so, request a representative from A.E.R.T., Weyerhaeuser and Lowe’s to come clean it using their “Clorox Outdoor Bleach / Mix cleaning instructions for mold at: www.choicedek.com/ChoiceDekCleaning.pdf

Make sure members of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the United States Coast Guard Environmental Unit, local environmental authorities, environmental organizations like Green Peace, and a few news reporters are present.

Stand back and watch the fireworks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Dated: 2008-03-07

My Rating:

by David (Charlotte, NC)

My almost 2 year old ChoiceDek in North Carloina now has the same spotting problem as others here described. Last spring I used the usual Lowe’s deck chemicals to clean the deck, and it cleaned up nicely. I didn’t use a power washer. At that I didn’t notice any spotting before or after the cleaning.

So now the deck’s a mess with black spots. There’s also a covered and screened porch next to it with the same decking material. It doesn’t get sun or rain, and it’s not spotted, although there’s a major color difference between the covered and exposed areas.

So I may be joining the lawsuit soon. It doesn’t appear contacting the 3 companies will have any value. I’ve been looking at Corte Clean and it looks like a good product. I’ve also checked out the Trex website for their clleaning instructions. They have a section on cleaning mold, and just as Corte Clean advertises, their product is referred to in their eco-friendly solutions.

Trex also mentions another company for an eco-friendly cleaner. It’s called Chomp Pro Mulisurface Algae and Mold Stain Cleaner and Remover. They also have a sealer product that supposed to seal against mold for up to 2 years. It’s called Chomp Pro Multisurface Algae and Mold Stain Barrier.

Has anyone tried the Chomp Pro products for the ChoiceDek problem?

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Dated: 2008-03-05

My Rating:

by Greg (Corte LLC) (Corte Madera, CA)

RE: DAVID

Where the moisture does not come into contact with the composite and most surfaces, especially those that are porous, the mold will not live and grow, as you have experienced. The other “major color difference” more than likely has to do with sun fade. The sun fade will more than likely take quite some time to evenly fade your composite if it is receiving indirect sunlight instead of direct sunlight.

After testing the “sealer” Corte LLC has developed, we have chosen to currently not sell it. We couldn’t in good conscious. We have found that some people don’t thoroughly clean their composite of mold resulting in immediate re-growth (as those that have not used Corte Clean too thoroughly clean the mold from a composite and reported back on this web site and others when the mold immediately re-grows). If the mold is then sealed into the composite, with everything it needs to live and grow (moisture from the sealer and organic material for it to feed), the cleaning issue becomes very difficult to remove.

We have tested other manufacturer “sealers”. Many make claims as to how long they will keep the mold from re-growing. We haven’t found any that actually work, let alone as long as they claim. See my other post for what we have found effective.

If I can answer any questions related to cleaning your composite, let me know. Our goal is to get you back to loving your ChoiceDek for all the reasons you more than likely purchased it without polluting the environment, causing health problems, corroding the metal hardware structurally supporting your composite and many other many other issues. This is true as long as you are O.K. with thoroughly cleaning your composite with Corte Clean whenever it becomes unsightly (we recommend twice per year spring/fall), especially if mold is the staining issue causing you grief.

Corte LLC has thousands of satisfied Corte Clean customers. I hope to make you or any person reading this another. If you choose to purchase Corte Clean, use “greenbuilding” in the “Coupon Code / Promotional Code (optional)” when purchasing for a discount on line @ www.corteclean.com or call us and I can let you know how to get it for FREE (really, no BS) while supplies last.

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Dated: 2008-03-05

My Rating:

by CORTE LLC (GREG) (Corte Madera, CA)

Simpson Strong-Tie (manufacturers approx. 77% of all decking hardware) generally used in composite deck construction clearly discloses the “General Corrosion Risks” of “chemicals” like using chlorine bleach and products containing sodium hypochlorite/calcium hypochlorite to clean composites.

www.strongtie.com/productuse/corrosion_risks.html

Use of these chemicals, when used to clean composites will more than likely come into contact with these structural metal connectors causing pre-mature failure and related safety issues shortening the useful life of your investment.

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Dated: 2008-02-29

My Rating:

by James Pizzirusso (Washington, DC)

Law Firms Announce Filing of Nationwide Class Action on Behalf of Purchasers of ChoiceDek® Decking Products

Seattle, Washington, February 27, 2008 (Prime Newswire) – A consortium of law firms announce that they filed a nationwide class action lawsuit on behalf of all purchasers of Weyerhaeuser ChoiceDek® decking products. The Plaintiffs filed their suit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle against Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE:WY) (ChoiceDek® seller); Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:AERT) (ChoiceDek® manufacturer); and Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE:LOW) (ChoiceDek® retailer) (collectively, the “Defendants”).

ChoiceDek® is a composite material, primarily composed of wood fibers and recycled plastic, used in residential decking throughout the United States. The Defendants have sold hundreds of millions of dollars of this product since it was first introduced into the market. The Plaintiffs’ legal complaint alleges that ChoiceDek® is defective because it develops extensive and recurring mold and mildew stains due to inherent manufacturing flaws and that Defendants fraudulently advertised the product as being “low maintenance” despite having knowledge of these problems.

The Plaintiffs contend that although the products are promoted as “virtually moisture proof,” they are, in fact, highly susceptible to moisture in the outdoor environment. Additionally, the manufacturer of ChoiceDek® acknowledges that it utilizes “contaminated” recycled plastic that it fails to adequately clean, which introduces food waste into the decking boards.

The Plaintiffs are seeking an injunction that would require the Defendants to honor the warranty that comes with the product and replace defective decks or provide consumers with refunds. Alternatively, Plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

The law firms that filed the lawsuit are Cohen, Milstein, Hausfeld & Toll, P.L.L.C. (Washington, DC); Keller Rohrback L.L.P. (Seattle, WA) and Gary, Naegele & Theado, LLC (Lorain, OH). These firms have successfully represented consumers in hundreds of class actions across the United States.

For more information please contact attorney James Pizzirusso at (202) 408-4600 or at jpizzirusso@cmht.com. You may also view a copy of the complaint via our website at: http://www.cmht.com/choicedek.php.

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Dated: 2008-02-27

My Rating:

by The Professor (Springdale, AR)

The following is an excerpt from the U.S. E. P. A.
�A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home”:

�Biocides are substances that can destroy living organisms. The use of a biocide or a chemical that kills organisms such as mold (chlorine bleach, for example) is not recommended as a routine practice during mold cleanup. There may be instances, however, when professional judgment indicates their use (for example, when immune-compromised individuals are present). In most cases, it is not possible or desirable to sterilize an area; a background level of mold spores will remain, but these spores will not grow if the moisture problem has been resolved. Never mix chlorine bleach with other cleaning solutions with detergents that contain ammonia because toxic fumes could be produced. (Please note: Dead mold is allergenic and may cause allergic reactions and other health effects in some individuals, so it is not enough to simply kill the mold. It must also be removed.�

www.epa.gov/mold/moldcourse/chapter1/lesson7.html

The following is excerpted from O.S.H.A.
�Mold Remediation/Clean Up Methods” guidelines:

“Molds can infiltrate porous substances and grow on or fill in empty spaces or crevices� Mold can generally be removed from non-porous surfaces by wiping or scrubbing with water and detergent� Instructions for cleaning surfaces, as listed on product labels, should always be read and followed� As a general rule, simply killing the mold, for example, with biocide is not enough� The mold must be removed, since the chemicals and proteins, which can cause a reaction in humans, are present even in dead mold� The use of a biocide, such as chlorine bleach, is not recommended as a routine practice during mold remediation� In most cases, it is not possible or desirable to sterilize an area, as a background level of mold spores comparable to the level in outside air will persist� Biocides are toxic to animals and humans, as well as to mold� Never mix chlorine bleach solution with other cleaning solutions or detergents that contain ammonia because this may produce highly toxic vapors and create a hazard to workers� When you use biocides as a disinfectant or a pesticide, or as a fungicide, you should use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.E.), including respirators� Always read and follow product label precautions. It is a violation of Federal (E.P.A.) law to use a biocide in any manner inconsistent with its label direction.”

www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib101003.html.

�Ability Of Bleach And Other Biocide Treatments To Remove And Prevent Mold On Douglas-fir Lumber,” a scientific paper produced by researchers at Oregon State University:

“While bleach is often recommended for remediation of surface mold on wood our results illustrate that the treatment does not eliminate the surface microflora. Molds are an increasingly important issue for all building materials, including wood. While washing with bleach is a commonly recommended method for removing molds and their associated discolorations, there is surprisingly little information on the effectiveness of this treatment. The ability of mold removal treatments to brighten wood and eliminate fungi was assessed on Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) sapwood lumber heavily colonized with mold and sap-stain fungi. The boards were subjected to different washing treatments: wiping with bleach solution, wiping with water, and a no-wash control. Samples were evaluated visually for changes in mold appearance and then fungi were isolated from the surface of the wood. Replicates from the various wash treatments were further treated with three biocide formulations. The effect of the mold control treatments on visual appearance and fungal diversity was assessed 1 month after treatment. Increasing bleach concentrations from 2.5 up to 20 percent solution had no effect on the appearance of the wood following the wash treatment, nor did such treatments completely eliminate fungi from the wood surface. The chemical mold prevention treatments tested were not effective in sterilizing the wood, nor did they improve the visual appearance.�

www.traskresearch.com/mold_bleach.pdf

Town & Country Magazine (SPECIAL GREEN ISSUE, April of 2007)

�Chlorine bleach will evaporate within a short period of time, especially when it is used in hot temperatures and the composite surface is in direct sunlight. If the composite is not dry when the bleach evaporates, or moisture is still in the contaminated area on the composite (humidity, outside air dampness, etc.), the contamination process is re-started immediately and to a greater degree.� (p.180)

You won�t find any information from the American Chemistry Council (A.C.C.) Chlorine Division recommending chlorine be used for cleaning mold but you will find many other legitimate uses. For more information regarding chlorine, please see:

www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/onlcourse/chm110/issues/issue397.html

The mold problem on ChoiceDek is a result of poor cleaning recomendations not backed by science.

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Dated: 2008-02-27

My Rating:

by Greg (Corte LLC) (Corte Madera, CA)

RE: Chris

Corte Clean Eco Friendly Composite Cleaner (www.corteclean.com) is proven to safely clean “the black spots” (more than likely mold) and all other common staining from composites like ChoiceDek. If you or any composite customer has any questions related to cleaning composites, please contact us. And yes, we do stand behind the product we sell.

Greg
Corte LLC
(415) 924-9500

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Dated: 2008-02-25

My Rating:

by Chris (Gloucester, VA)

I thought getting Choice Dek was the answer to having a nice deck but I was WRONG - it was a very costly project for a crappy outcome – the black spots – I have been back and forth with Lowes over this – they said its just in the air and recommended all of these products to use, tried them all, another costly deal, and still looks crappy – for being advertised as low maintenance and durable, it is just the opposite. I would have been better off using regular decking and if it rotted – just replacing it for what it has cost for this project. Very poor quality – and when I went back to the store the rep said “Hey, I just work here”
true, but they need to stand behind their products.

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Dated: 2008-02-22

My Rating:

by Mark (Durango, CO)

I see many people slaming ChoiceDek on this web site for needing to clean it when it gets dirty with mold and other staining issues just as they due on other blogs regarding other composite decking brands. Isn’t any material, especially those outdoors susseptable to mold and stains? So ChoiceDek needs to be cleaned; so does my car, my drive way, my toilet, my shower, my roof, my windows, my carpet, my clothes and just about everything else I own or use. I have to clean them when they get dirty if I want them to look nice and the longer I procrastinate, the more difficult it becomes. And yes, some cleaners work better than others.

I do know I will definatelly need to clean a composite inorder to keep it looking nice (I’m O.K. with cleaning a deck in the Spring, Summer and Fall or when ever stuff is spilled all over as it as I am a neet freek). This seems to be a far better option than cleaning, then, painting, staining or sealing a wood deck and all the toxic chemicals necessary? With a wood deck if you neglect it it just won’t last, but with a composite, it just becomes an eye sore. Becides the cleaning issues and all the people who don’t like to clean their ChoiceDek, here are the questions I have…

From what I can tell, ChoiceDek and Trex should last far longer than wood and won’t give me or my family splinters, twist, check or crack. Is this true?

Both appear to have long warranties unlike wood. Are their warranties any good (again, excluding mold & mildew cleaning issues that are clearly exempt in both ChoiceDek & Trex and other brands of composites warranties) How does ChoiceDek hold up?

Are you happy with its overall performance (minus cleaning it)?

If I were to buy ChoiceDek, I would be purchasing it at least in part because of its environmentally friendly reputation due to the use of recycled plastic and wood as I am an eco-freek. One of the major turn offs to ChoiceDek for me is their current lack of recommending eco friendly cleaning solutions for those of us who know how dangerous and distructive chlorine bleach or oxalic acid are. For ChoiceDek to not recommendor at least provide the option of anything eco friendly to clean it, as Trex and other manufacturers doe on their website, does not settle well with me. That is the one major reason I may choose another brand over ChoiceDek. Hopefully ChoiceDek will change this before spring when I have to make my final decision? On the other hand, I have found ChoiceDek to be less expensive.

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Dated: 2008-02-15

My Rating:

by Ray (Portland, OR)

Was having the same problem with mold on my Choice Dek. Have not had it return in almost a year! See my other post.

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Dated: 2008-02-10

My Rating:

by June (Pittsburg, PA)

The Red Tape Chronicles is MSNBC.com’s effort to unmask consumer fraud. Bob Sullivan is their award winning author. Want to get this in more public view? writr him at BobSullivan@feedback.msnbc.com

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Dated: 2008-01-12

My Rating:

by John (Kansas City, MO)

contact Lieff Cabraser (.com) for class action lawsuit.

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Dated: 2008-01-08

My Rating:

by Rick M. (Toledo, OH)

This is the worst product I have ever used for any project and the company reps are no better. They make excuses and blame the consumer to cover up fortheir inferior product and customer service skills. I have shared with hundreds of people about this inferior product as well as countless that have seen it first hand at my home. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT TO ANYONE! I have even been to several retail locations and the product they have stored outside looks as bad as mine does.

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Dated: 2008-01-06

My Rating:

by John (Kansas City, MO)

I can’t believe people are still buying this junk…this goes to show how big companies can continue to rip off consumers because the new customers have no idea whats going on. The Corte Clean guy doesnt even get it. Who cares if your product can temporarily clean this crap. It keeps coming back…it is not a maintenence issue…it is a product defect and the company knows it. Cut the crap and the cover ups. This stuff shouldn’t be on the market.

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Dated: 2008-01-06

My Rating:

by Marshall Dudley (Knoxville, TN)

My son just had a dock built, and chose Choice Deck. Before they were even though building it, black spots appeared. He refused to pay them the last payment because it looks awful, and they are out there right now pressure washing it to try and make it acceptable. Whoever said that the problem is incorrect maintance is an idiot. Maintance should not be required before the deck is even through being built. Give me a break! I just showed him this site, and he is sick, knowing that the black stuff will return after the next rain. He used Trex on his decks on the house, and has not had this problem at all with it. However there are roofs over the Trex, so it is not a fair comparison since it gets little rain and sunlight.

I am going to try some things to see if anything will stop the mold. If I am successful I will write back.

Marshall

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Dated: 2007-12-18

My Rating:

by gordon (midwest, IL)

we installed our deck over the last year. like some of you all we spend a small fortune having our deck built. No one from Lowes knew enough to give us any advice while evaluating products. However the sales brochure from back a year or two ago mentions the product is barefoot friendly. the mold has not started yet but this summer our grandkids could not walk on the stuff because it was so hot and radiated heat also. have any of you all had the same problem? maybe it gets so hot the mold spores can live? we also noticed recently that the brochure has been changed and mentions how hot it gets in sunlight. Does anyone else see another problem here? I too am so glad that there is a place for the consumer to come together on these issues.

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Dated: 2007-11-29

My Rating:

by gordon (midwest, IL)

we installed our deck over the last year. like some of you all we spend a small fortune having our deck built. No one from Lowes knew enough to give us any advice while evaluating products. However the sales brochure from back a year or two ago mentions the product is barefoot friendly. the mold has not started yet but this summer our grandkids could not walk on the stuff because it was so hot and radiated heat also. have any of you all had the same problem? maybe it gets so hot the mold spores can live? we also noticed recently that the brochure has been changed and mentions how hot it gets in sunlight. Does anyone else see another problem here? I too am so glad that there is a place for the consumer to come together on these issues.

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Dated: 2007-11-29

My Rating:

by Cindy (Wilmington, NC)

I bought ChoiceDek and had it installed in May, 2006. Since then, it has been one long runaround from AERT. They have sent their North Carolina sales rep. to confirm that it has a mold problem. They sent their cleaners to professionally clean it. Northing has made a difference, but each step has taken MONTHS to accomplish and in the meantime I have the feeling they are hoping I will tire and go away. I will not!! As others have noted, Lowe’s is absolutely useless in providing ChoiceDek information or support and AERT tries first to play the “stall game,” and if that doesn’t work, the “mold is a natural process, especially in the South” game. I have lived in the South for 20 years and NOTHING else I own now, or have ever owned, has ever had a mold problem!
Thank you to other writers for providing the class action lawsuit URL info. – I have written to them and intend to join the lawsuit. I have never sued anyone in my life, but I am so irritated at the irresponsibility of marketing a product known to be seriously defective (they have had hundreds if not thousands of complaints), and the deliberate delaying tactics, that I intend to add my voice to those who are driven to pursue legal remedies.

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Dated: 2007-11-29

My Rating:

by Greg (Corte LLC) (Corte Madera, CA)

RE: Bob #2

Please call me.

I would like to help you resolve your ChoiceDek cleaning situation as I have done for other ChoiceDek owners on this web site, even if I have to give Corte Clean to you for FREE.

The other products that have been recomended to you did not work when AERT tested them against Corte Clean in our presence at their factory in AR.

Greg
(415) 924-9500

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Dated: 2007-11-27

My Rating:

by Greg (Corte LLC) (Corte Madera, CA)

RE: Bob,

Please don’t slander Corte Clean. Most composite customers of ChoiceDek and other brands are satisfied with their results after using Corte Clean to clean the mold, mildew, grease, rust, tannin stains and other staining issues. Please see Corte Cleans’ “Testimonials.” Most are realistic about the need to clean their deck whenever it appears dirty, especially in uncontrolled outdoor environments that are known to support mold growth like North Carolina and any place the humidity is high and / or it rains.

To include eco friendly Corte Clean with the unhealthy, toxic, destructive, environmentally unfriendly biocides you have mentioned is unfair, especially since Corte Clean is proven effective for cleaning mold and other common staining issues from porous composites without polluting our environment, causing health problems, going against the EPA & OSHA mold cleaning recommendations, going against products label directions or all the other risks.

Corte LLC has been working with AERT, Weyerhaeuser and Lowe’s. We recently went to AERT’s manufacturing facility in Arkansas to clean a dirty, moldy ChoiceDek. Corte Clean out performed the other products you stated. This is fact.

As I have previously stated, we are only trying to provide a safe solution to clean composites when they appear dirty. This is exactly what we do. The mold will not return to a thoroughly Corte Cleaned composite until new mold spores land on it and they receive moisture (humidity / rain). When this will happen is any persons guess but we have had ChoiceDeks stay clean with minimal cost and effort for over two years. If I can help you or any other composite customer to do the same, please contact me. We might even let you know how to get Corte Clean for free!

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Dated: 2007-11-26

My Rating:

by Bob (Matthews, NC)

Greg (Corte Lean)

My intention was not to slander anyone or any product which is why I did not. It is considered reasonable and prudent to follow the manufacturer’s instructions esp. in this situation. Corte Clean was never mentioned by Lowes or the manufacturer and I have had several discussions with both. They did email me detailed instructions which included Clorox Outdoor Bleach and Jomax. They even went as far as to email very large pictures of both of these products. Your product may be great and I wish you the best.

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Dated: 2007-11-26

My Rating:

by Bob (Matthews, NC)

Greg:
The answer to why we use chlorine bleach to claen our decks is simple. I do so because I have been instructed to do so by Lowes and Weyerhauser and just like the mold on my deck I do not intend to go away. The company reps have been to my home to evaluate the condition of my deck and I have joined with several hundred others in the class action lawsuit. As I told the company reps I would much prefer to resolve this out of court. I want to be reasonable and I am confident that AERT will do the right thing. Lowes on the other hand acts as if they know nothing of the problem.
Bleach, Corte Clean, Jomax, water, dishwashing detergents are not the answer!!
GO TO: http://www.lieffcabraser.com/choicedek.htm NOW!!

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Dated: 2007-11-24

My Rating:

by Greg (Corte LLC) (Corte Madera, CA)

RE: J & A, Mrs. Frappier, Bob and any other person using chlorine bleach in an attempt to clean mold from a ChoiceDek or any composite…

The EPA & OSHA do not recommend the use of chlorine bleach or biocides (products containing or mixed with sodium hypochlorite or calcium hypochlorite) to clean mold. Ask yourself why?

Science has shown that Biocides exacerbate the molds growth by bleaching (camouflaging) the mold, then watering it allowing it to grow back with vengeance and more resistant to the chlorine in biocides. Products containing biocides have not been proven to kill incredibly resilient mold on composites as the uneducated believe. Even if it did, dead mold can still be unhealthy and incredibly dangerous to anything living. Unfortunately, biocides kill every other organism allowing the mold to dominate your ChoiceDek.

The first time you use biocides to clean mold, it may appear to work. With repeated use, it will generally have little if any effect in the mold remediation process. Your composite will then almost always not spot but become covered with mold. This is commonly known as “the chlorine bleach scam” in the industry.

Use of biocides will damage the decking, structure supporting the decking (shortening your expensive investments useful life), your outdoor living environment, your health, the health of anything living (except the mold) and our environment. I would highly urge any person considering using biocides in an attempt to clean composites to do their homework prior to using them.

Don’t get caught using products containing biocides by the EPA, OSHA, the US Coast Guard or other authorities. The penalties for polluters that violate environmental laws can be harsh. Why risk it when proven Eco Friendly Corte Clean is available for cleaning a composite of all common staining issues such as rust (that biocides cause), grease , tannin stains, mold, candle wax, etc. without the negative side effects while being far more cost effective than purchasing and using up to four+ other cleaning chemicals for specific staining issues.

NOTE: Mold will return to a thoroughly Corte Cleaned composite only when new mold spores land on the composite and receive moisture, allowing it to grow and become unsightly. It is best to clean mold off a composite before it has a chance to grow, becomes unsightly, unhealthy and more difficult to remove. I have previously posited 2 proven ways to keep your composite clean for extended periods of time with minimal effort. In addition, I would highly recommend cleaning your composite at least twice per year (spring & fall) even if the mold is not present. If mold is a problem and your composite receives moisture such as rain or humidity, you may have to clean your composite more often. When will new mold spores land and grow on your composite is any persons guess?

Corte LLC is only trying to provide a safe solution to resolve composite cleaning issues in a effective, legal, green cleaning solution. We are not the problem but trying to provide a solution.

If you choose to try Corte Clean, use the word “greenbuilding.org” for a discount (until we decide otherwise) when ordering @ www.corteclean.com.

Please contact us if you have any questions. I have personally cleaned many ChoiceDeks and would like to answer any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Greg

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Dated: 2007-11-21

My Rating:

by Greg (Corte LLC) (Corte Madera, CA)

OOPS!
For the discount use “greenbuilding” instead of “greenbuilding.org” ( the ”.” won’t let it work)

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Dated: 2007-11-21

My Rating:

by John (Franklin, TN)

I choose ChoiceDek when I rebuilt our deck a year and a half ago. We have two large cedar and pressure treated on our lake house and wanted to avoid the maintenence issues with this deck. I wish I had research deeper and found out about the black spots problem. The black spots started appearring last spring. We had the dryest summer in nearly 144 years, with record setting hot sunny days. But the black spots just kept coming until they now cover the deck.
Here’s the really stange thing, the deck faces south and is in the sun all day. Mold does not grow in direct sunlight. These appear to be oil spots and react to cleaning with bleach the same way as oil.
Since this seems to be a problem all over the country with ChoiceDek it seems to me its a problem within the decking itself.
I’m ready to take action against Lowes and Weyerhauser if they won’t do anything about this.

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Dated: 2007-11-19

My Rating:

by cynthia frappier (coraopolis, PA)

After spending thousands of dollars on our deck only to discover that the composite of Choice Dek is not what it claims to be. Our decks are 3yrs. old and we repeatly need to purchase clorox for outdoors in order to try and remove the mold that continues to grow month after month. The reason in purchasing the composite decking was for low maintance. Not with Choice Dek. I did have a rep. come and look at the decks and was told that we were not applying the clorox properly. We were told to mix dawn detergent with the clorox and still mold presist. We will never recommend Choice Dek. We feel that Lowes does know of this problem but continues to sell the product and with contacting Lowes we were told a rep. from the Choice Dek Company will get in touch. Even when you place a planter or furniture on the decks it leaves a black line where the item sits. My mat in front of the door leaves a impression. Something has to be done about the product. Continue selling of said product without correcting the problem is not the answer…..........

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Dated: 2007-11-03

My Rating:

by Robert (Charlotte, NC)

If you review each of these “Reviews” and research this problem as extensively as I have you should:

1) Contact the retailer you purchased the material from IMMEDIATELY! 2) Contact the manufacturer IN WRITING IMMEDIATELY! 3) Go to http://www.lieffcabraser.com/choicedek.htm NOW!!
Complaining will get you nowhere unless the complaints are directed to the appropriate companies involved. The manufacturer may be more responsive than you think. The class action suit pending is gaining momentum daily and more and more people who fully intended to use this product are NOT. Put quite simply this a problem that is not going to go away and the manufacturer knows this. Be sure to register with #3 above and continue to get the word out to as many people as possible. I would not want to see this happen to anyone. The state of NJ just decided in favor of the consumer in a class action lawsuit aganst Trex. Come back to this site and share any info that may be helpful to those of us who have had this extremely unfortunate and expensive experience. Please let Lowes know that you know that chemicals are not the answer since there is an defect in the material and the mold spots WILL keep coming back!

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Dated: 2007-10-31

My Rating:

by J & A (Milwaukee Area, WI)

Spots, spots and more spots!!

How we wish we had read this prior to spending a fortune on and a gazillion hours installing choicedek. I though I had conquered it with some bleach and water, (a 4 hour project) but the spots have returned less than 6 weeks later even though we are having a sunny & cool October.

I can’t imagine having to scrub my deck with bleach and a scrub brush every few weeks. We purchased choicedek beacuse we wanted low maintenance deck. We would have been better off with lumber.

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Dated: 2007-10-30

My Rating:

by Bob (Matthews, NC)

I have cleaned my deck per Loewe’s instructions and after using bleach and water the mold/mildew spots did “go away”. We have been in a severe drought in North Carolina without rain. Three days ago it rained and the black spots came back twice as bad as they were before. It is ridiculous to suggest that this is part of owning anything outdoors. It is equally absurd for anyone to have to go through a cleaning ritual after every rainfall. Responsibility must be with the manufacturer of this product as well as with the retailer who at this very moment is recommending this product. The only remedy will unfortunately have to come from the courts. Is it coincidental that these deck horror stories from across the country grow larger in number every day? They represent only a very small percentage of the people who have been harmed financially, unexplained illnesses, etc. I would look into signing up for the class action lawsuit immediately! If they agree to REPLACE your deck – OK - If not, you are basically left with no choice! Should be called NotA ChoiceDeck.

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Dated: 2007-10-28

My Rating:

by Paul Black (Coraopolis, PA)

Same issue like everyone else is having (MOLD SPOTS) we also used clorax, looked good until rain fell. We need to find out how this company is going to take care of all the people who are stuck with this product!

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Dated: 2007-10-25

My Rating:

by Russell (Houston, TX)

I like others bought Choice Dek back in March 06 and within 6 months the spots started to appear but did not know what they were. Contacted AERT and they sent me instructions on cleaning with Clorox. I cleaned it per their instructions and by the 3rd week the spots were coming back. They finally sent a rep out which said I need to clean it with full strength Clorox. I cleaned again per their intructions and now 5 weeks later the spots are coming back. Had to send AERT more picture and waiting for a response. I would not waste my money on this product and any time I’m in Lowes and a customer is loading a cart or looking at Choice Dek I tell them about my experience and to look on the web about this problem. They always go away and do not buy it.

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Dated: 2007-10-25

My Rating:

by Patt (Philadelphia, PA)

Lord, I wish we would have found this site before installing our ChoiceDek a year ago! Like everyone else, within months our deck began to show signs of black mold. Complaints to the company were tantamount to whistling in the wind. Months after our first phone call a representative finally showed up and demonstrated how the black mold cleans up quickly with full strength outdoor bleach. He suggested we do this once a year. Within a month of his visit, with little, if any rain in our area, the mold returned. That problem is bad enough but the fading of the product is equally disheartening as the mold. We chose the “sandstone” color but, a year later, ended up with something closer to pale gray. It seems with each bleaching, the color lightens even more. If anyone out there is even thinking about installing this product ~ THINK AGAIN! You will definitely regret it. Our intentions were to build the first part of our deck so I could access the outdoors during a medical recuperation, then build the next larger portion of the deck a year or so later. That is definitely not going to happen, not with ChoiceDek. It’s an inferior product and the company does not care about customer satisfaction.

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Dated: 2007-10-20

My Rating:

by Rich U (St. Clair, MI)

Very glad I found this site and now realize my Choicedek is not the only deck that is close to 100% covered with black spots! I had absolutely no idea that this is a form of mold or mildew. I cleaned the deck once this summer with a standard deck cleaner from Lowes (which is also where I purchased the deck), but to no avail, the spots did not go away. If anybody has any suggestions as to what action can be taken, I’m all ears. I spent over ,000 on material alone to build this deck on my dream home…..and now its an absolute embarassment! I think I’ll go to Lowe’s tomorrow and ask them what in the F#@& I’m supposed to do with this crap they sold me! I’ll continue reading this message board for ideas…would like nothing more than to join a class action suit against these scammers who claim “low maintenance” decking.

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Dated: 2007-10-16

My Rating:

by Rich U. (St. Clair, MI)

I just submitted my information to the class action lawsuit at http://www.lieffcabraser.com/choicedek.htm

I suggest you all do this and lets get this issue resolved!

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Dated: 2007-10-16

My Rating:

by tom j (raleigh, NC)

Trex sucks, big time. My deck is less than 6 months old, Madiera in color, grain side up, and Covered with Black Mold spots. My deck is in full sun, nothing overhanging it so no blame there. This product is horrible and Trex knows about the problem and has done nothing to fix it. I wrote Trex and they said to use soap and water. I’d like a Trex rep. to come over and try that method. People spend big money on home improvements becasue they want their house to look right. Trex should be ashamed of how they have handled this problem, basically ignoring it. DO NOT USE TREX. I have found no remedy for the black spots, and for you die hards, I’m not talking a few spots, my deck is coverd with them. If anyone has a real tried and true remedy, please share.

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Dated: 2007-10-08

My Rating:

by Stan Ellis (Binghamton, NY)

I was only looking on the web for suggestions or if Lowes sells a product to clean my deck. I have the same black spots appearing. I never dreamed that it was mold, but now, I am conviced after reading the numerous complaints that I have the same problem as everone else. I rebuilt my deck in the summer of 2007 and the spots started to appear even before it was completed. So I doubt the claims of a new formula for the product. Either that, or I was sold old stock by my local store(s). Thank you all for the input, and I will also be looking into the class action suit. This thing cost me a small fortune! I don’t look forward to breaking the news to my wife.

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Dated: 2007-10-07

My Rating:

by CORTE LLC (GREG) (Corte Madera, CA)

RE: Dan,

Thank you for calling me while writing this…

I hope my suggestions and FREE product will help, keep me posted.

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Dated: 2007-10-03

My Rating:

by CORTE LLC (GREG) (Corte Madera, CA)

RE: by Dan (Macedonia, OH)

Dan,

I would highly recommend that you or any person considering using chlorine bleach for any purpose or in any strength not recommended on its label directions to reconsider. To not follow label directions can be illegal, very dangerous to your health and the health of anything living and damage the structure supporting a composite.
If your composite has not been thoroughly cleaned of the hyphae (mold roots), the mold will immediately grow back. This is especially true if chlorine bleach has been used and / or when it rains. When using Corte Clean we would highly recommend following our label directions and making sure you have thoroughly cleaned your composite of any mold.

If you have used chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) or any product containing biocides in an attempt to remediate mold prior to using Corte Clean, it exacerbates the mold problem. If you do not thoroughly clean the mold roots from a composite surface, the growth process will immediately begin when it receives moisture such as rain. You will them notice the mold returning in greater numbers as appears in your pictures.

Dan, please contact me via phone. Its to your benifit.

Sincerely,

Greg

(415) 924-9500

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Dated: 2007-10-02

My Rating:

by Dan (Macedonia, OH)

RE: GREG (Corte)

You must not be reading my posts correctly. I ALREADY AM A CUSTOMER OF CORTE CLEAN AND HAVE USED IT ON MY DECK (I purchased a large container of it last year). I prefer to use it over bleach, but the AERT rep (Nick) told me to use bleach (full strength) instead. He demonstrated how effective it was by spilling it directly from the bottle onto the decking and pointed out how fast it was working by breaking up the black mold spots. I know it’s bad for the environment but so far NOTHING has solved my issue (including Corte Clean). So I had no choice but to give it a shot since that’s what they recommended when the rep was out in August. Unfortunately the mold is back.

And I’m not about to spend hundreds of dollars a year by sprinkling dry Corte Clean on my deck before each rain or applying multiple coats and letting it dry as you suggested a few posts back. That’s just not a realistic maintenance program (especially for a so-called low maintenance deck). And considering the size of our deck, it would require a new container each time it rained.

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Dated: 2007-10-02

My Rating:

by Brent (Harrisonburg, VA)

Same story, different day. 2004 ChoiceDeck…over 30K including labor. Black mold spots first summer, and all the time since. Cleaned 7 times since then, each time Lowes/ChoiceDeck increasing the Outdoor Bleach proportion. Finally got a Weyerhauser rep out in August, and just got a reply from AERT…they will replace it with the same crappy grey material…BUT I HAVE TO PAY THE LABOR to remove it, dispose of it (is it hazardous at this point b/c of the black mold?—bet that’ll be cheap), and put the crap back on…gee let me get this straight, I’ve already made a 30K mistake, now you want me to put 10-15K more back into it to perpetuate it? Unbelievable!!!

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Dated: 2007-10-02

My Rating:

by Dan (Macedonia, OH)

RE: BRENT

Unbelievable is right! I can’t even IMAGINE the time/cost to remove a custom built composite deck given the amount of screws that are used (and the cost to properly dispose of it). Did they also agree to replace the underlying joists? Wouldn’t these (or the new boards that sit on top of them) be weakened by removing and reinstalling screwes in or near the same screw holes? Did they agree to use your same contractor to replace it? If it’s anything like mine (which sounds like it is based on the original cost), there’s a lot of custom cuts involved to achieve the original workmanship. Did AERT say they have solved the issue and are now using different material in their decking? If not, why bother?

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Dated: 2007-10-02

My Rating:

by JAY (DAYTONA BEACH, FL)

SENT REVIEW SOME TIME AGO, AERT IS TELLING MY CUSTOMER THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONTACT ME, FUNNY, THEY HAVE ALL PHONE # AND EMAIL ALL PHONES HAVE VOICE MAIL. HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ANYONE. MY CUSTOMER IS GOING TO PURCHASE WOOD DECKING & MY COMPANY IS REPLACING CHOICECRAP DECKING PURCHASED FROM HALF ASS LOWES CORP. THE THING THAT PISSES ME OFF THE MOST IS I HAD COMM.ACCNT AT LOWES WHEN THEY CAME BACK TO FL. HAVE NOT RECEIEVED A CALL FROM PORT ORANGE FL. STORE MNGR. I BASH THE COMPANY EVERY CHANCE I GET. MY CUSTOMER IS JOINING CLASS ACTION BUT THE CONTRACTORS ARE SCREWED. THIS ALL STARTED APRIL 2007. PAUL PHILLIPS FROM WEYERHAEUSER NEEDS TO GO BACK TO SELLING USED CARS.

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Dated: 2007-10-02

My Rating:

by John (Kansas City, MO)

Quote from Greg: “If you do not thoroughly clean the mold roots from the composite surface…..” I guess the next time I clean my deck I’ll have to flip it upside down to get the bottom surface.

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Dated: 2007-10-02

My Rating:

by Dan (Macedonia, OH)

Just wanted to provide an update since I cleaned the deck with straight bleach (per the AERT reps recommendations) on September 1st (which obviously cleaned the deck). It rained once before this past week and again early this week and the spots have begun to re-appear and that’s less than a month of thoroughly cleaning it. The mold is also starting to re-appear on the steps leading up to the deck, which I cleaned with Corte-Clean on August 25th (I prefer this product over the bleach since it’s more environmentally friendly). Obviously there is no wonder-product that’s going to provide a solution to this issue. I’ll post updated photos shortly to the photo-sharing site: www.bubbleshare.com/album/216432/overview

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Dated: 2007-09-28

My Rating:

by Jeff (Lisle, IL)

Have 1 year old choicedek deck and have black spots all over it except where the sun does not shine. Now I am laughing, well at least I can get a laugh on it.
I am waiting to here back from Aert. I sent them some digital photos.

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Dated: 2007-09-27

My Rating:

by John (Kansas City, MO)

You won’t be laughing long. Junk

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Dated: 2007-09-27

My Rating:

by John (Kansas City, MO)

by the way…Greg, I’m sure u probably have a fine product. However, the problem runs much deeper than “cleaning the mold” This is a problem that keeps coming back and back and back! Nothing esle is getting these spots. Either this product attracts the problem or its in the product. When nothing else in the yard, on the house or in the whole neighborhood has this problem, you have to ask is this a product issue that the company is, like most big companies, (in my opinion), dragging out to cover their bottom line. Money is always the motivator. Even with the best cleaner in the world, how do you get to the bottom of the deck where this “mold?” is.

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Dated: 2007-09-27

My Rating:

by CORTE LLC (GREG) (Corte Madera, CA)

RE: Brian (St. Louis, MO),

We have found that “powerwashing” works great for removing loose debries from a ChoiceDek. If MOLD is a problem on your deck, and you do not fully remove the mold, the moisture (water) from will only increase the mold growth. Be careful not to damage your deck with a power washer. We have seen composites where the pressure washer has been too powerful and damaged the deck while attempting to clean mold.

We have developed a SEALER for “sealing” composite decking and tested on numerous decks. We have found the sealer to make the mold problem worse if the composite is not thoroughly cleaned and all the mold removed. You will have sealed the mold into the composite with everything it needs to live and grow. The next time you clean a composite, the sealer must first be removed. This can make the cleaning process more difficult in the future. This is why we are currently not selling our sealer.

Please see my other posts to see what works best to keep a composite looking clean.

Having cleaned many ChoiceDeks’, I would be happy to answer any questions you or any composite owner may have. This is what we do, and currently ALL WE DO. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Greg
415 924-9500

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Dated: 2007-09-24

My Rating:

by Susan (Carlisle, PA)

To answer Brian from St. Louis, MO - I have had someone from Choicedek out to look at my deck back in the beginning of summer. It took weeks until someone finally contacted me and many phone calls on my end. I am currently trying to get someone out again and the last time I talked to someone they told me that this is not a quick process. It would be at least a week before someone called me to schedule coming out. It has already been five weeks since I first started this process of contacting them all over again like I did in the spring. Bottom line is they have very poor customer service and in my opinion having someone from the company come out is a waste of time other than it is on record that they were there. The only thing the original visit from Choicdek did was verify that it was mold. The rep cleaned a small square with the clorox solution, told me to clean the whole deck and that it should not come back. Needless to say it has appeared in less than two months. I recommend submitting your claim to Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein with the class action suit. Standing together perhaps we can get some resolution to our problems.

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Dated: 2007-09-24

My Rating:

by Brian (St. Louis, MO)

My decks is doing the same. Has anyone tried powerwashing? I did and it looks okay and now I can’t decide to seal it or not. Has anyone tried sealing? How do you get someone from ChoiceDek to come look at it personally?

Thanks.

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Dated: 2007-09-19

My Rating:

by Susan (Carlisle, PA)

I have had molding and black spots on my deck shortly after it was installed in August 2005. I have cleaned it per Choicedek’s instructions. Had a representative out who cleaned one tiny spot and told me that this problem should not occur again. Obviously this is a more widespread problem than I ever imagined and I am glad to have found this group with similar problems. I have submitted my claim to join the class action suit and I hope it materializes.

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Dated: 2007-09-18

My Rating:

by Composite Decking Guy (Somewhere, MI)

Composite Decks like still don’t have the kinks out. I saw some pretty convincing pictures on http://www.compositedecktruth.com of mildew and mold on a TimberTech deck only two years old. I’d like to see a truthful review on the different products from composite vendors.

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Dated: 2007-09-16

My Rating:

by dave (woolwich, NJ)

I wish I would have seen these postings prior to purchasing my choice dek. To say I have a reoccuring mold problem is a little bit of an understatement. I have spent countless e-mails and phone calls with Lowe’s and the choice dek reps (not to mention all the time I have spent treating my mold problem). Finally, a lowe’s rep and a choice dek rep came out to my house. The solution, from the choice dek rep, was to spray a straight solution of outdoor clorox on my deck and let it sit for 30 minutes. I could see the look on the Lowe’s rep’s face…should you really be doing that…..Anyway, I don’t know what choicedek’s definition of low maintenace is but treating my deck every couple of weeks is not really considered low maintenance for me. Like one of the previous reviewers, I was the envy of the neighborhood when my deck was installed. In fact, one of neighbor’s also has a choicedek deck and he has the same exact problem. My other neighbor (who has a regular pressur treated deck) laughs at me and my friend who has a choicedek deck and will always throw comments in, like”loving those low maintenace expensive decks”. My brother-in-law recently sent me some information about a possible class action law suit against choice dek…the link is http://www.lieffcabraser.com/choicedek.htm if yo uhave any interest.

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Dated: 2007-09-14

My Rating:

by Cecil Knight (Ormond Beach, FL)

I installed my Choicedek approximately 6-9 months ago and was completely happy with it until about 4 weeks ago. I, just like a lot of other people, have started to have black mold appear aound the deck. My deck is built 8-9 feet off the ground so you would think mold would not be much of a problem due to the amount of circulation of air all around the boards but this is not the case. I would not reccommend this product to anyone in search of a low maintenance deck. It also gets so hot during the summer here in Florida you could not possibly walk on it without shoes to prevent burning your feet.

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Dated: 2007-09-14

My Rating:

by CORTE LLC (GREG) (CORTE MADERA, CA)

RE: Warren Whitney (Pittsfield Twp, MI),

We think Corte Cean is the answer and many of our customers are extremely happy with their results.

Your statements “Corte-clean is expensive, highly caustic, NOT environmentally friendly. It requires LOTS of hard back breaking scrubbing” could not be any further from the truth.

1.) Corte Clean replaces up to four (4) other chemicals commonly used to clean composites (one for mold, one for grease, one for rust, one for tannin stains). The average of those chemicals is .00ea for a total of .00. They ganerally clean approx 300 sq. / ft. Corte Clean will CLEAN approx. 500 sq. / ft +/-. for currently .98 without all the dangers or environmental problems.

To properly maintain a “wood deck” costs alot more by the time you buy and apply strippers, cleaners, sealers or stains. If you do not properly maintain wood, you end up having to replace it, as you have done. This always ends up being a far greater cost than just maintaining it. Your statement “I have had wood decks that actually require no maintenance” always results in their replacement years before they should need to be. Nothing else could be more “expensive.”

2.) Corte Clean is NOT “highly caustic.” Please review the definition at dictionary.com. and review the active ingredients in our product before you make such uneducated statements.

3.) Corte Clean is Environmentally Friendly, especially when compared to the other toxic, caustic chemicals and BIOCIDES that the uneducated commonly use to clean composites. Corte Clean breaks down into OXYGEN that we breath and Soda Ash.

4.) Mold will only grow back from a thoroughly Corte Cleaned composite when new mold spores (seeds) land on your deck and receive moisture and organic material to eat. Powerwashing with water results with “MOLD comes BACK with a vengeance!”. We have found that power washing is only to remove loose debries from the composite prior to using Corte Clean.

5.) Once again, if Corte Clean “requires LOTS of hard back breaking scrubbing” you are doing something wrong and not following its simple label directions. It should NOT be more difficult than we show on our demo video @ www.corteclean.com (mixing, lightly brushing as necessary, but usually not needed & rinsing). I know this because the guy in the green shorte and shirt with boots is me.

Corte LLC has nothing to do with what the ChoiceDek website claims. Corte LLC only exists to CLEAN Composites and do it in a safe mannor, and that is exactily what we do. WE DO NOT CLAIM TO PREVENT MOLD FROM RETURNING. We have found the best way to prevent it from coming is to clean your deck on a regular basis with our product (see other posts).

I would be happy to take your call in an attempt help you or resolve your cleaning issues with ChoiceDek but please, don’t slander our product.

Greg
(415) 924-9500

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Dated: 2007-09-11

My Rating:

by CORTE LLC (GREG) (CORTE MADERA, CA)

DAN,

After speaking with “BTW” AKA NICK THOMAS at AERT (479) 871-7404 regarding your comments “said I was wasting my money with Corte Clean”, Nick told me he “NEVER MADE THIS STATEMENT.”

Please, DO NOT slander our product. It CLEANS COMPOSITES better than any other product or products on the market without all the risks, especially those that contain Sodium Hypochlorite the active ingrediant in Chlorine Bleach. We guarantee it.

Please call me if you have any further questions or commonts regarding our product. Any imput you may have is greatly appreciated.

Greg
(415) 945-9500

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Dated: 2007-09-09

My Rating:

by Dan (Macedonia, OH)

GREG,

I’m not here to slander anyone – in fact, I gave praises to Corte Clean in more than one post. I’m simply stating what the AERT rep told me. Why would I lie or want to slander your product??? I very much would rather use Corte Clean since it’s more environmentally friendly than straight bleach. The main point with all these posts from us Choicedek consumers who are experiencing these issues is that no matter what we use to clean our decks, the mold returns after a few good days of rain.

And “BTW” is not the name of the AERT rep – it’s shorthand for “by the way”. I purposely chose not to disclose his name in my original post.

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Dated: 2007-09-09

My Rating:

by CORTE LLC (GREG) (CORTE MADERA, CA)

DAN (and any other person interested in a MOLD FREE or CLEAN ChoiceDek),

Glad to hear you had GREAT results with Corte Clean on your ChoiceDek!

YOU ARE RIGHT, Mold WILL GROW BACK on a thoroughly Corte Cleaned composite when new mold spores (seeds) land, temperatures are correct and they receive moisture such as rain and nurturance from organic matter.

Please, carefully read Corte Cleans’ Limited Warranty on our packaging that clearly states “Re-growth of Mold & Mildew is not a warranty claim.” Corte LLC DOES NOT WANT TO MISLEAD ANY PERSON.

Corte LLC has found the following tips to effectively keep a composite looking clean and free of mold.

1.)Corte Clean a composite regularly to remove any living microscopic mold spores before they have a chance to live through their life cycle, turn unsightly and release billions of new spores exacerbating the problem. Spring & Fall are best.

2.)After thoroughly cleaning a composite, apply one more coat of Corte Clean and let it dry on the deck. This should not be done if the composite is to be used, especially by bare skin, children, animals. This can look unpleasant but many of our customers prefer it to unsightly, unhealthy mold. THOROUGHLY RINSE CORTE CLEAN FROM COMPOSITE BEFORE USING.

3.)Before it rains, sprinkle dry Corte Clean all over your Corte Cleaned composite to clean any new mold spores that may have landed before they have a chance grow and live through their life-cycle. Dead mold can still be toxic.

There are many reasons why Corte Clean is a better, safer, more cost effective choice for ALL cleaning issues on composites than poisonous, dangerous, toxic, corrosive chemicals such as Chlorine Bleach. This is why Trex, TimberTech, Correct Deck, Fiberon (which now owns the Weatherbest brand), AERT (if you call in to 800 951-5117 and ask for it by name or an ECO-FRIENDLY cleaner) and soon many more manufacturers will be endorsing our product. If you want to learn more, please visit our web site @ www.corteclean.com or call us at (415) 924-9500.

P.S. We have applied for our GREEN SEAL (http://www.greenseal.org/index.cfm ) certification, as we meet their requirements. This would make Corte Clean the only composite deck cleaner to carry this certification as AERT is the only composite manufacturer to carry this prestigious endorsement.

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Dated: 2007-09-05

My Rating:

by CORTE LLC (GREG) (CORTE MADERA, CA)

Richard,

Regarding your use of Corte Clean,

Glad to hear you “ended up with a prettly nice looking deck” after using Corte Clean.

If you had to use “a lot of sweat and elbow grease” you must have NOT been using our product correctly by following its simple LABEL DIRECTIONS. If a composite is any more difficult to clean than we show in our DEMO VIDEO on our web site @ www.corteclean.com, you are not using our product correctly. As with any chemical, PLEASE READ and CLOSELY FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. If you don’t, it won’t work as we intend it to.

Maximum water solubility of Corte Clean is “2.5 cups per gallon of water for maximum strength”. It is impossible “doubled the recommended mixture ratio”. This will only accomplish cloging your pump sprayer. The only way to make our product more powerful is to sprinkle dry Corte Clean on a wet Corte Clean composite surface as our FAQ’s state on our web site.

You paid ”.00” for our product. What a deal. Did AERT give it to you?

Please see my other post to DAN on how to keep your deck clean and that our product is ONLY a CLEANER.

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Dated: 2007-09-05

My Rating:

by C.M. Jackson (Kewanee, IL)

My contractor tried to warn me that he had installed a composit deck for someone in the community and they wished they had never bought it. Had terrible mold issues. But I really wanted the composit deck! It was a different brand altho I had first considered Choicedek. He figured it up and gave me the estimate. I wanted to say then and there “ORDER IT”, but I was feeling a little uneasy, so I thought I would sleep on it one night. Thank goodness, I decided to do some surfing on the net and look for complaints of these products. And Wa-laa. Here you ALL are. Next day, I changed my order to cedar board decking. So what if I have to stain it every couple years. Thanks from the bottom of my heart. You all saved me a bundle AND my sanity too.

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Dated: 2007-09-04

My Rating:

by Caro Blrowning (Overland Park, KS)

Have just learned that choice deck is still being investigated, and a decision as to whether to continue with a class action suit will be made by Oct. 1, 2007.
It was also mentioned that at this time, it appears that the “stain fungus” is not toxic.

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Dated: 2007-08-30

My Rating:

by Richard (Washington, NC)

I have had my ChoiceDek deck for about 1.5 years now and am very unhappy with it. Perhaps out of ignorance on my part I had the idea that this super duper composite decking was the low maintenance way to go and did not shop around or investigate the available products. I just found a contractor, went down to my trusted Lowes store, spent a lot of money, and had the deck installed. My deck was the talk of the neighborhood for about 6 months and then what I thought was due primarily to the high humidity of Eastern Carolina, these nasty black spots took over the deck. The only parts of the deck not affected were the areas that were primarily shaded. Apparently sunshine is very important for the growth of these mysterious black spots. After trying the bleach and soap method recommended by the ChoiceDek website no less than 3 times over about 14 months I called them. They recommended a new product known to most of you folks now as Corte Clean. About 2 months ago I spent .00, a lot of sweat and elbow grease, doubled the recommended mixture ratio, and ended up with a prettly nice looking deck. Not so today. The black mold spots are coming back and I have had it. I am convinced that the few positive posts found here are by people that either install the product (shame), or sell the product (shame, shame).

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Dated: 2007-08-29

My Rating:

by Dan (Macedonia, OH)

RICHARD (from Corte Clean),

I bought a 6 lb container last year and your product did a wonderful job in cleaning my deck a couple months ago. But as soon as we had a couple good rains, the spots reappeared. BTW, the AERT rep who was over yesterday to spill full strength bleach on a couple of boards, said I was wasting my money with Corte Clean and use Outdoor Bleach at full strength instead. I can’t even imagine what that will do do the environment/vegetation around my deck. I also bet the spots will return in a couple of weeks (assuming it rains).

Dan

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Dated: 2007-08-28

My Rating:

by Pedro (Los Vegas, NV)

RE: NIKKI… I would carefully read the dilution ratios on the bottle of Clorox Outdoor that they more than likely used. It says very clearly…

“Dilute Strictly In Accordance With Label Directions”

“DECKING” “six (6) cups of Clorox Outdoor Bleach with ten (10) cups of water.”

“Strength” “Medium (Yellow)” “Dilution” “1:4” 24oz (3 cups) of product to 104oz (13 cups) of water.” “Clean and brighten modestly soiled wood surfaces, painted and treated wood. Remove dirt and grime from deck and fencing and plastic lawn furniture, tables and chairs. Clean soiled vinyl panels and items. Use on most moderately soiled surfaces when no mildew or mold stains are present.”

For “Strength” “Low (Green)” “Dilution” “1:21” 6oz (3/4 cups) of product to 122oz (15 ¼ cups) of water USE TO Whiten and clean lightly soiled painted and stained woods, wooden siding. Clean lightly soiled surfaces such as galvanized materials. The bleach will more than likely come into contact with these galvanized connectors. Don’t get caught using it anywhere that “rinse water” can “enter storm drains, lakes, streams or other bodies of water”

Use of Clorox Outdoor in greater strengths than they recommend for “Treated Wood” & “GALVANIZED MATERIALS” that more than likely structurally support and hold your ChoiceDek togeather can have long term safety concerns for your entire decking structure.

I bet you enjoyed the smell of toxic chlorine for quite some time after they did this

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Dated: 2007-08-27

My Rating:

by Richard (Ashland, OR)

DAN,

Looks just like these:

www.corteclean.com/index_files/composiyedecking0.htm

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Dated: 2007-08-27

My Rating:

by Andrea (Fort Gratiot, MI)

Don’t purchase this product!!!!!!

We have had our deck for only one year. The deck is in constant sunlight all day long so shade isn’t the issue by any means. Black spots started about 2 months ago and they are just getting worse as the days go by. We have contacted Lowe’s and were told a rep would have to come out to look at the deck….they haven’t come out yet. I’m totally disgusted to see all these entries with similar problems and we were totally oblivious to the problem up until now. We just started paying on the deck because of course we were suckered into the 1 year financing. Our child has become extremely sick since April and we have been asked if we have any mold issues, little did we know this was what was on the deck. Has anyone been reimbursed the cost of the deck or does Weyerhauser just replaced the piece of crap and the nightmare starts all over?

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Dated: 2007-08-27

My Rating:

by Dan (Macedonia, OH)

Sorry, the link I included was inputted incorrectly: www.bubbleshare.com/album/216432/overview

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Dated: 2007-08-23

My Rating:

by dave dickson (carnegie, PA)

I have installed over 400 Choice dek projects with little or no problems. The material does not mold ,it appears to be from the enviroment when it does happen. Very happy with product.

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Dated: 2007-08-23

My Rating:

by Dan (Macedonia, OH)

What I don’t understand is why it’s only those of us with ChoiceDek experiencing the mold problems. My neighbor (who ironically used to work for Weyerhauser until about two months ago), installed Oasis composite decking (made by Alcoa) the same time I did last July (2006). Yet he has never had a speck of mold on his deck. Same with my friend who has Trex – he lives in the same vicinity. Speaking of my neighbor, he was going to use ChoiceDek, but Weyerhauser gave him a discount if he went with Oasis instead. Images speak for themselves: www.bubbleshare.com/album/216432/overview

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Dated: 2007-08-23

My Rating:

by Nikki (College Park, MD)

I posted back in June stating that a team from AERT was supposed to come out to clean our deck. Well they finally showed up and cleaned our deck for us in July. They used full strength outdoor bleach to clean the deck, which is not the recommendation on the website. It worked, and the deck looked great. As I am in the Maryland area we have been in a severe drought for most of this summer. Well in the past week we have had a couple of rainstorms, and wouldn’t you know the black spots are starting to reappear. This is only a little over a month after the team from the manufacture came out to clean it for us.

For those on this website that install the decks, do you actually have a deck on your house with the material? If not, you may not know what problems are faced after installation. Our deck looked wonderful after it was first installed. The team that came to clean our deck actually stated that this is one of the few decks that they saw installed by the homeowner where the proper spacing was utilized. I do not believe this is an installation problem; it is a problem with the material.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-08-22

My Rating:

by Terry (Chleveland, OH)

Cleaned my ChoiceDek with the Corte Clean.

Worked!

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Dated: 2007-08-22

My Rating:

by Warren Whitney (Pittsfield Twp, MI)

AWFUL!! Black spots, stains just like everybody else.

Corte-Clean is NOT the answer. Corte-clean is expensive, highly caustic, NOT environmentally friendly. It requires LOTS of hard back breaking scrubbing, and the MOLD comes BACK with a vengeance!

To quote from the Choice Dek website, .... “just imagine the money and time saved every year by not having to stain, seal or treat the deck.”

This makes me sick. I have had wood decks that actually require no maintenance. This ChoiceDek crap now has mold that returns within DAYS. I find I must power wash the stuff about once per month!

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Dated: 2007-08-22

My Rating:

by Ann (Port Aransas, TX)

We build a 100ft boardwalk with railing to the beach with Choicedeck in very humid Port Aransas, TX. It is not only beautiful, it is comfortable to walk on with bare feet. My customers no longer get splinters in their fingers and toes! We’ve had so much rain and humidity this year—the boardwalk is almost 1 year old and looks as good as day one. We love the product and are getting ready to use in to do about 140 railings on our balconies. Lowe’s was great, as always, to work with.

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Dated: 2007-08-22

My Rating:

by ANGRY (NEW YORK, NY)

HORRIBLE PRODUCT! MAKES ME WANT TO TAKE PICTURES OF MY SPOTTED, UGLY, YEAR AND A HALF OLD, DECK AND POST THEM ALL OVER EVERY LOWES STORE I CAN DRIVE TO. I EVEN FEEL LIKE PASSING OUT FLYERS IN FRONT OF THE STORE EXPLAINING THE POOR PRODUCT AND UNETHICAL PRACTICES. EVERYONE SHOULD BE INFORMED OF LOWES’ UNETHICAL TACTICS AND LIES THEY MAKE IN ORDER TO MAKE A SALE. IT’S NO WONDER THEY CHANGED THE PRODUCT! I GUESS THEY FEEL THOSE WHO WERE SUCKERED IN TO BUYING THE OLD STUFF ARE JUST SCREWED!

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Dated: 2007-08-21

My Rating:

by Todd Socia (Fayetteville, AR)

I bought the Choice Deck product Dec. 2005 and in less than a year my entire deck which is about 900 sqft is completely covered with black mold spots. I have tried several times cleaning the deck and within a few weeks and a little rain it is right back. If I would have known that this was going to be the case, I would have bought real lumber and treated it and had a more beautiful deck alot longer than this over rated material has. My deck color has also faded. I sure wish I would have done more checking into this product before I wasted thousands of dollars. I could have had 2 or 3 treated lumber decks for what this crap cost.

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Dated: 2007-08-18

My Rating:

by Jack Leek (Pushmataha County, OK)

This is a great product. As a real estate investor I have installed the decking and railing material on three different homes and I am VERY impressed with the look and sustainability of the ChoiceDek product. It’s not hard to maintain, and it raises the value of the home when it’s appraised.

I will be sure that I include the product on all investments as it is simply a great value and it looks great too!!!! Kudos to ChoiceDek!!!

Jack

Fullfilled: E-Star

Dated: 2007-08-17

My Rating:

by Oliver (North MS, MS)

After reading most of the complaints, it appears as if many of the deck owners didn’t comply with the installation or maintenance instructions.

I have followed the maintenance instructions and my deck looks great after 4 years.

I bet that most of them didn’t even read the maintenance documents.

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Dated: 2007-08-17

My Rating:

by Jim (Omaha, NE)

This is crazy!

Any kind of deck has to be maintained. Choicedeck is no exception. Maintain your deck, or any other item per the manufacturer’s instructions, and most problems will not occur. The real problem is laziness or ignorance by the deck owners.

My deck was installed 18 mos ago. No problems. I love it.

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Dated: 2007-08-17

My Rating:

by StevensD (Macedonia, OH)

I’m fully aware that these are not maintenance-free decks. But to have these problems every time it rains is ridiculous. Obviously everyone with ChoiceDek isn’t having these issues (geographic location/clmate, defective batch of planks, etc.). But for those of us that are, you cannot claim this should be expected. I have posted some before/after photos for everyone to see for themselves: www.bubbleshare.com/album/216432/overview.

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Dated: 2007-08-17

My Rating:

by Terry (Chleveland, OH)

George, glad to hear the Corte Cleaner WORKS for the spots; as they have just started appearing on my ChoiceDek. Will give it a try and post my results.

Can’t find any where on their web site where they claim to keep mold away for “9-12 months.” If I only have to clean my deck a few times a year with an eco friendly product, that sure beats cleaning, and sealing my old wood deck with toxic, poisonous chemicals and the labor and effort to do it.

Love that I have not gotten a splinter with my bear feet since installing this product! Don’t like that I have to clean it but am un-aware of any product that spends its life outside and does not need to be cleaned inorder to look good.

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Dated: 2007-08-14

My Rating:

by Dan (Macedonia, OH)

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Corte Cleaner does a decent job of removing the black mold spots BUT it takes a lot a manual effort/time to do so (since you need to keep the portions of the deck constantly saturated with the product for about 15-20 minutes before washing it off – you cannot let it dry) AND they re-appear after it rains a few times. As part of the cleaning process, I also needed to powerwash the deck to remove the spots/cleaner since a regular hose isn’t powerful enough. It’s unacceptable to think this product (ChoiceDek) should require several cleanings each year (which took me about 4 hours to do my 800 sq. ft. deck). Not to mention the cost of Corte Cleaner – which isn’t cheap. The Woodtone color I started with is almost completely faded (by the sun and cleaning).

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Dated: 2007-08-14

My Rating:

by Greg Harris (Walnut Hill, IL)

The AERT rep that came to my house 8 weeks ago told me they have not changed anything in the way they make the composite decking so I wouldn’t believe what the LOWES GUY SAYS! People I wish you would read all these comments on this site, they all can’t be wrong, DON’T BUY THIS JUNK!!!!

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Dated: 2007-08-13

My Rating:

by Armando (Fresno, CA)

RE: Jeff G

Hope the reformulation of ChoiceDek does not contain any toxic pesticides or fungicides that can OFF-GASS and potentially poison anything living. You do not want to be walking with your bear feet or have small children exposing themselves. I would ask the manufacturer for a “Leach 8 TEST” before I used any product that claimed mold would not grow on it. Most pesticides that would do this may contain dangerous, debilitating, cancer causing chemicals that lead to reproductive problems.

If this is true, ChoiceDek and other composites that contain these chemicals will not be any safer than treated lumber. Does this not, at least in part, defeat the purpose of composites?

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Dated: 2007-08-13

My Rating:

by Jeff G (White Bear Lake, MN)

According to our Lowe’s guy, they have reformulated the material to prevent mold. They also have new colors available for 2007 – we are going to give it a try. I hope we have better luck!

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Dated: 2007-08-12

My Rating:

by George (Philadelphia, PA)

Installed our dream deck 3 years ago. First year no problems. Second year the spots appeared and I watched them spread and get darker. Cleaned as recommended , spots came back after it rained. Kept cleaning and cleaning. Kept spoting and spoting. Found Cortecleaner online and it worked, but not for the 9-12 months it leads you to believe, maybe for about 3 months depending on the amount of rain. Thank you all for posting your comments. Lowes acted as if I was the only person with this problem. My contractor claimed I ruined the deck by powerwashing. My children think I am a little obsessive about the spots
(they live out of state and have not seen the ugly spots).

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Dated: 2007-08-12

My Rating:

by JAY (DAYTONA BEACH, FL)

I BOUGHT CHOICEDEK FROM LOWES, INSTALLED DEC. 05 W/ 1/8” SPACING PER INSTRUCTIONS, IT SWELLED & WARPED WITHIN 6 MONTHS, BLACK MOLD IS UNBELIEVABLE, IF YOU THINK THE BLACK SPOTS ON TOP ARE BAD, PULL UP A BOARD & LOOK AT THE UNDERSIDE. IT WILL MAKE YOU PUKE. BLACK MOLD IN FLA. IS NOT A GOOD THING, MY CUSTOMER IS GOING TO SUE ME IF I DONT REPLACE, MADE CLAIM APRIL 07 THIS IS JULY, NOTHING BEING DONE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND THAT ANYTHING YOU BUY FROM LOWES YOU ARE STUCK WITH. CONTRACTORS BEWARE. I NOLONGER DO BUSSINESS W/ LOWES CORP. OR ANY PRODUCT DISTRIBUTED BY WEYERHAEUSER. I WORK TO HARD FOR MY MONEY TO DEAL WITH A HALF WIT COMPANY LIKE LOWES, WATCHED THEM GO UNDER IN FL. IN THE LATE 1970’S CANT WAIT TO SEE IT AGAIN

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Dated: 2007-08-10

My Rating:

by Rich (Raleigh, NC)

For those of you with mold, and other cleaning issues on your Choice Deck, check out this website;

www.corteclean.com

The demo video is worth a look because that is exactly how it works.

I purchased the product and my problems are SOLVED! Amazing product and worth every penny. Wish I would have found out about it earlier. Would have saved me much grief and frusteration had Lowes had it instead of all the other products that do not work.

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Dated: 2007-08-10

My Rating:

by carol browning (overland park,, KS)

Please contact www.lchb.com. There is a class action law suit in the making
We learned of this from greenerbuilding.org. You can file online your complaint and will hear immediately from them.

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Dated: 2007-08-10

My Rating:

by rick (kenmore, WA)

count me as another to the long list of unsatisfied customers. I installed 600’ 2 years ago. Same as everyone else – black spots and stains everywhere. I did find corteclean this year and it does a great job. Trouble is the deck starts turning black and showing stains almost immediately.
Thanks to whomever posted the link to the class action suit. I entered my info. and hope to hear from them.

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Dated: 2007-08-10

My Rating:

by Troy Dean (Cantonment, FL)

If I may add my 2 cents, we have dealt with, is some form or fashion, just about every type of composite on the market and many that are long gone.

They ALL have mildew issues, there is not a composite decking product on the market that doesn’t. There is no such thing as a maintenance free deck, unless your willing to live with some spotting and discoloration, that said there have been a few bad runs of ChoiceDek which in my experience the company has resolved right away.

In 14 years of being in this field and moving millions of feet of the AERT product we have had 1 actual bad batch of ChoiceDek and numerous cases of problems with the other composite products. I would also like to say this, while you may be concerned about your choice of decking for your job and the possible cosmetic issues with your deck, you should know you have chosen the best quality, longest lasting composite deck available today hands down.

If I can be of assistance to any of you who believe you have an issue with the AERT product please feel free to contact me. If possible I would appreciate a few photos of the problem with your deck to get a feel for exactly what is going on.

Respectfully

dean@coastalproductsplus.com

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Dated: 2007-08-08

My Rating:

by Greg (Walnut Hill, IL)

First to Ron in Belpre OH. , DON’T BUY IT!!!! you will be sorry like the rest of us! Choice dek is still made the same way, the only thing that changes is the batches of recycled plastics that are used. I did have an AERT rep come out and look at my deck six weeks ago. He did agree that the deck looked awful and that they would stand behind their product and I would be happy in the end. He stated that within a week someone would call me with a solution, well I’ve not heard from them yet! STILL VERY UNHAPPY IN ILLINOIS !!!!!

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Dated: 2007-08-05

My Rating:

by Ron (Belpre, OH)

Hi,
Just a question, I am about to put up a substantial deck and we HAD chosen ChoiceDeck. I have not been impressed by the reviews here. I am now thinking of anything but ChoiceDeck. Is the problem that AERT has, the mold spots, fading etc. been addressed by a new compound or a change of product or is it still ongoing. We live in a high humidity area that has temps from -10 to +95 averages. Lots of mold on roofs, house siding etc. Am I begging to get screwed if I go with Lowes ChoiceDeck? What is a better alternative?

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Dated: 2007-08-02

My Rating:

by Richard (Wadsworth, OH)

The black mold is everywhere! We had a deck built in July 2004 of this crap. The first year deck looked ok, then it started changing color, we bought tan and now it’s this ugly gray color. Black mold is all over it and will not clean. Rep came out finally after 2 years of dealing with them and Lowes and said that we were shown the new colors but they sold us the old material that ALWAYS turns gray.I think this is called BAIT AND SWITCH? We were never told the deck would change color, only told it would look BEAUTIFUL for years and years! ChoiceDek is saying it’s Lowes fault, lowes is saying it’s Choice Dek. We are retired and wanted a deck that would be little work, now wife can’t even go near it because of the mold that effects her health.If I would have wanted a full time job cleaning decks I would have gotten one and been paid for it! Rep said to give him a week to file report, yea right, it only took them since May’s compliant this year to finally show up! Lowes will run you around like they did us for the last 2 years, Choice Dek should stand behind what they sell! We are not done yet, spending all that money for crap just isn’t sitting well with me!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-08-02

My Rating:

by Carol Browning (Overland Park, KS)

Our deck was installed in 2004…warped, spotted within weeks, twisted, yet built to code. I’d give anything to have my redwood deck back.
WE tried everything, as did all of you. In desperation, we had it again power-washed, and painted….only to have one month later have the spotting appearing through the paint!! AERT sent up a team within 2 weeks to take measurements and photos, although they were prepared to power wash to solve this problem. Informed them this was no solution. So, will see what comes of this mess.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-07-29

My Rating:

by Betty Ray (Hedgesville, WV)

This is the most HORRIBLE quality in the world! We chose ChoiceDek because we wanted a product that would not require maintenance. Well, within two months there are black spots everywhere, and we cannot get them off at all. We have tried Lowe’s formula— We have read all the e-mails on the WEB complaining about this, and so far NO ONE will do anything about it. MORE ACTION needs to be taken.

We bought this so we would not have maintenance, but it is WORSE than a pressurized-wood deck in that it cannot be clean, and the milldew is everywhere. We have tried, scrubbed constantly, and nothing works!!!

You should be ashamed!!!

BettyARay@aol.com

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-07-28

My Rating:

by Betty Ray (Hedgesville, WV)

CHOICEDEK is the worse product in the world. We are totally embarrassed about the black spots that will NOT conme off in any way, regardless of any product. WE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED for this product; we spent thousands of dollars on it, and we are not WEALTHY!!!!!

We were lied to about this product.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-07-28

My Rating:

by Dan Stockdale (Columbus, OH)

My new deck consisted of choice deck decking boards, trim and handrails. The trim board is warping and we too are experiencing black spots.

Supposedly a class auction lawsuit is in the works being filed ironically by an atty in Cowho works for the Ohio Attorney General. His deck which consisted of choice dek and has developed black mold and the entire deck is being ripped out, including destruction of the product by specially trained personnel who specialize in hazard materials.

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Dated: 2007-07-27

My Rating:

by Dan Stockdale (Columbus, OH)

My new deck consisted of choice deck decking boards, trim and handrails. The trim board is warping and we too are experiencing black spots.

Supposedly a class auction lawsuit is in the works being filed ironically by an atty in Cowho works for the Ohio Attorney General. His deck which consisted of choice dek and has developed black mold and the entire deck is being ripped out, including destruction of the product by specially trained personnel who specialize in hazard materials.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-07-27

My Rating:

by Dan (Macedonia, OH)

I had a large ChoiceDek installed in July 2006 and noticed some black spots as soon as it rained for the first time. Over the course of the seasons (especially this past winter), the entire deck was covered with these black spots. I ordered Corte Cleaner and applied it in the spring with a power washer and the deck cleaned up beautifully (it bleached slightly but looked very clean). Here in Cleveland, we’ve had a very dry summer with no rain. But this week, it’s been raining on an off every day. Now the entire deck is covered again with these black spots!!! I’m calling Lowes now to find out what my options are. This project was way too expensive to have these spots appear everytime it rains.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-07-26

My Rating:

by Christine (Sacramento, CA)

Thank god I found this and all of the 98% of you who warned me about ChoiceDek!
The 40 planks are still sitting in my garage after buying 2 days ago. First thing tomorrow, ALL of it is going back to Lowes. Also read interesting stuff at GardenStructure.com about composite decking. I”m not taking the chance. I am SO SO sorry for what you all have been going thru. There is a class action suit starting….I’d say jump on the bandwagon. Good luck.

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Dated: 2007-07-22

My Rating:

by barry (lancaster, PA)

DECK IS ONE DAY OLD…......HAD A HEAVY RAIN…....BLACK SPOTS OVERNIGHT!!!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-07-19

My Rating:

by Hector (Mobile, AL)

I am a deck cleaning professional. I can’t believe the way ChoiceDek recommends illeally mixing bleach with other chemicals that specifically state on their packaging not to mix with bleach. Check it out for yourself.

If any of you have a lawsuite, it is for this.

If you are an employee of any company including Weyerhaeuser, Lowe’s, or AERT that uses this dangerous mixture of chemicals you definately have a lawsuite.
Check with an attorney.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-07-18

My Rating:

by eileen petty (hot springs, AR)

same thing happend to us.This is only our second summerand the entire deck is coverd with black spots.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-07-18

My Rating:

by peggy boloyan (lake wylie, SC)

Our story is the same. We remodeled our deck last Spring “06 and have had black spots all over the deck. Nothing has worked to clean it. I called and filed a complaint with Lowe’s and have put my name on the list from the Attorney’s office, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein. Maybe they can do something.

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Dated: 2007-07-17

My Rating:

by Jennifer (Kettering, OH)

I just want to thank all of you for your comments as I am in the process researching what material I want to use for my deck. I just went to Lowe’s today to price the difference b/w ChoiceDek and treated lumber. While I try to do the most environmentally responsible thing in all aspects of my life I think I might wait until they get the kinks out of composite wood. TimberTech sounded good but it’s 4 times the price. Any suggestions??? Thanks.

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Dated: 2007-07-17

My Rating:

by John Terwilliger (Swainsboro, GA)

I can only echo the many, many comments about mold and mildew. I also have experienced a problem with the rigidity of the choice dek product, carriers were placed according to their recommendations but I have sagging between the carriers.
I have also found that Lowe’s was less than truthful in representing this product when I was shopping, and further that the ChoiceDek rep to be more interested in protecting the company from liability than in dealng with me honestly.

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Dated: 2007-07-17

My Rating:

by Tom Foyil (Tulsa, OK)

It is amazing that I stumble across this site. I had a large Choicedeck installed in June of ‘06 at our lake house. Cleaned the deck with a “light” power wash in May of ‘07 looked beautiful. Within two weeks it was covered with black spots. My wife and I could not figure out what in the world this was. We said it looks like mold and covers even the railing. I went to Lowes as I was trying to figure out what it was and and told the store guy it looked like mold .He looked totally shocked, like it couldn’t be that. Sounds like I have been snookered by glitzy advertisements and promises.

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Dated: 2007-07-12

My Rating:

by Vicki Riley (Independence, MO)

I am a recent widow. I had my decking replaced. I wanted to get something I would not have to maintain. I got Choice Deck at Lowes summer 2005. It is now summer 2007 and I have HUGE moldy spots ALL OVER the deck where ever the sun hits! This is just wrong! I see a class action law suit coming!!!! This is not care free decking. If I had wood it wood still look great! I was lied to.

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Dated: 2007-07-08

My Rating:

by Christy Welch (Trinity, NC)

We are having the same cleaning problems that seem to be a trend in ChoiceDek… black spots and more black spots!! Even if you can get mold spots clean, it’s only very temporary, they’ll be back at the first rain. DO NOT INVEST IN THIS DECKING! We heavily invested in this product (to the tune of ~,000) to build a very large, multi-level deck to enjoy now in 40s through retirement, expecting to never have to stain, seal, replace, etc…. However, what we now have is a very large, multi-level high maintenance, UGLY deck that is more trouble than it’ll ever be worth in our time and energy to keep the ‘leopard look’ under control. I’m completely embarrassed when we have friends over and they ask “You paid how much for this??? And it looks like this???”. I’m concerned about going barefoot on the deck, afraid that the mold is a health hazard. I can’t let children play on the deck for fear that the mold is dangerous to them. I am extremely disappointed in this very expensive purchase and would love for the manufuacturer to back their product and deliver on thier promise’: “It will withstand the most demanding exposure to the elements, does not require sealing, staining or treating, and is easy to clean” – as quoted from their website. Also from their website: “ChoiceDek® is virtually maintenance free and will only require periodic cleaning as with any flooring surface.”... this is NOT TRUE!! There is no other flooring surface that I have ever seen that molds like this flooring surface! Weekly cleaning would be required to keep this decking mold-free and safe… weekly cleaning does not classify as ‘virtually maintenance free’ in my interpretation! BUYER BEWARE!!!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-07-07

My Rating:

by Christy Welch (Trinity, NC)

If you are having problems with moldy black spots on your ChoiceDek, I would encourage you to participate in this investigation of consumer complaints regarding ChoiceDec: http://www.lieffcabraser.com/choicedek.htm

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-07-07

My Rating:

by Andrea (Mooresville, NC)

RE: AL

Tried the Corte Clean product.

WORKS!

Easy to use, plesant smell, cleaning issues resolved. I’m back to enjoying my ChoiceDek.

Their website is definately worth taking a look at.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-07-06

My Rating:

by Mick Haney (Overland Park, KS)

Installed the choice deck a year ago on a large deck. The mold stains are everywhere where the sun shines. My deck has no trees /vegetation over it.. Prior to reading this website, went to Lowe’s and they recommended a cleaner from the paint department. Tried it with no success.. They ought to call this ‘Leapord’ decking.. I will print this website comments and take it into Lowes to see what they have to say, but my deck is almost unusable..

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-07-05

My Rating:

by Joy (Cumberland, MD)

My husband and I bought Choice-Dek last year and built over 800 square feet of deck. We have had the ugly black spots. I was able to remove the spots with Cabot’s Composite Deck cleaner, but it took 2 days of scrubbing each spot with a brush. I had to be very careful not to leave on the cleaner longer in one spot than another or it made some parts of the deck lighter than other parts. My spots came back within 2 weeks (after a it rained)!!! I was so disappointed. I dread doing it by hand again. Maybe I will try the Corte Clean… I thought this stuff was supposed to be easy to take care of??

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-07-05

My Rating:

by Stan (Chicago, IL)

All you people who have tried cleaning your ChoiceDek had better read what the EPA & OSHA have to say about using Chlorine Bleach for mold remediation and mixing it with any other chemical, especially those that specifically tell you not to.

HOW MANY FEDERAL LAWS CAN YOU VIOLATE? This is extremely unsafe.

If you are an employee of any company who is told to use Chlorine Bleach to clean mold from ChoiceDek, you have a lawsuite against your employer.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-07-05

My Rating:

by Corrine (Lancaster, PA)

Mold like the rest of you on my Choice Deck.

Cabots Composite deck cleaner did not get the mold spots out of my deck at all. Waste of money, stinks like chlorine, caused rust stains where my stainless steel screws are, faded my deck white, the mold is now much worse.

Buyer Beware!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-07-05

My Rating:

by Carl Lickteig (Kansas City, MO)

We are completely disappointed with our Choice Deck. We called the manufacturer in Arkansas and they sent up a team to clean the deck. We are now getting ready to clean it again. The black spots are so ugly and we only get them where the decking is uncovered. We just cleaned the deck about three weeks ago and we then had rain for four days and the black spots are back double what they were before. Using the outdoor bleach has taken the color off our house and killed our plants. We believe the product is inferior and this is not mold as they told us but something in the material used. This product is totally misrepresented and we certainly were not informed about this problem when we bought from Lowes. We aren’t stupid! Who would purchase something like this?

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-07-03

My Rating:

by Al (Walpole, MA)

We had ChoiceDek put on the back of our house in 2001. It is now 2007 and I’m about to really clean it for the 1st time. I’ve been reading all the choices for cleaning and found Corte-Clean and then this site.

Since we’ve had no problem with the decking material only the post (not ChoiceDek), I’m wondering if the installations were faulty. The person who did ours took two days to put it in. He was very concerned to have the spacing between the deck boards correct. He stated that he’d done many of these and had found that the spacing was important. We’ve had no failure of the material and no sagging. The sagging is probably because not enough support is put in place. In Mass. it’s required that every 6/8 feet there be a support pillar. We have 4 support pillars for a 15 ft length and two on each side. Our deck is 15 X 8 and is in the sun almost all day. It’s great to walk on without burning your feet.

My problem now is to clean the mold that’s starting to grow because I have both pine and oak trees behind my deck that need to be trimmed back. Their droppings are causing the mold.

I don’t know if the material’s composition changed from when I brought mine, the installation or the amount of water (pools with chlorine) but I’m happy with our choice of this material.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-07-01

My Rating:

by Renaldo (Savannah, GA)

To Greg in Walnut Hill, IL.

You must have not correctly diluted the Corte Clean as they recommend for “Colored Decking” and it sounds like you need to “re-apply as necessary” and “repeat application process until desired level of cleanliness is reached.” It took me a few cleanings to get some of the tough spots completely out of my colored ChoiceDek. The product worked better than anything else I tried and I am back to loving my ChoiceDek!

Sounds to me like you had a newer deck that had not completely faded by the sun light. My deck faded by 50% on its own before I ever cleaned it. When I used chlorine bleach it faded my deck even more and the Corte Clean actually brought back some of the color.

Good luck with a lawsuite. I already looked into it before I found Corte Clean. In the ChoiceDek Warranty they specifically state that “mold and mildew” is not a warranty claim.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-06-26

My Rating:

by Greg (walnut hill, IL)

Corte clean, We have the same problems as everyone else , We have ( had) a brown colored choice dek, called choice dek and they said try Corte clean. Well it did work better at getting the mold and mildew spots out than everything else we tried, they are about 80% gone, but the brown color is about 50% gone also!! And that was not at the recommended full strength. So in conclusion I personally do not think Corte clean is the solution to all our problems. A rep is suppose to come out and look at our deck , I just hope the customer support is better then the product they sell. I am starting to believe the only answer may be a class action lawsuit. When and if the rep comes out I’ll let you know the outcome.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-06-24

My Rating:

by Nikki (College Park, MD)

I wish this site was available before we used Choicedek in Summer 2005 to build our deck. Their claim that the material is, “virtually maintenance free and will only require periodic cleaning…” is a joke. By Summer 2006 we had black spots all over the deck. I called A.E.R.T, and they provided me with the Clorox solution. It worked until it rained, and then the spots were back full force. We used the solution three more times that summer. It could have used it after every rain storm, but the Clorox solution lightens your deck, and we were concerned that soon we would have a completely white deck, instead of gray (not to mention how damaging Chlorx is to the environment).

I called A.E.R.T again in March 2007 because after the winter the spots were ten times worse. They told me they would send a representative in April/May timeframe to clean our deck for free. It is now middle of June 2007 and they still have yet to provide this cleaning. I have called numerous times over the past several months only to be told that the representative would be there in two-three weeks each time I call. My experience has led me to provide this information for anyone else out their wondering about this product. Not only is this product of poor quality but so is the customer service. Please think twice before purchasing. If you do decide to purchase make sure you receive the warranty information and submit it within 90 days of installation. Good luck!

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Dated: 2007-06-19

My Rating:

by chris (dover, NJ)

DO NOT BUY! Extremely dissappointed. Our wood deck was less maintenance. The deck is not even a year old. Had black mold spots all over deck. Utilized cleaner on brochure took color out of the wood fibers in the deck. Looks terrible. Will by trex when i have the money and time to replace our 3000 dollar crappy decking

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-06-15

My Rating:

by RKS (Naperville, IL)

Looks like Trex and Choice Dek are battling the same problems. For my mold problems, I used a mixture of Outdoor Bleach and water (1:1) with some success, but I’m interested in this environmentally safe product called Corte Clean. Has anyone NOT had success with it? It’s far pricier than Clorox’s Outdoor Bleach, but if it’s a one-time shot and it’s environmentally safe, I’ll try it. Thanks.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-06-15

My Rating:

by John C (Marlborough, MA)

I am another person with the horror stories of the choice deck mold/mildew issue. I a class action suit comes along please count me in. Thank You
jcpcac@hotmail.com

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-06-12

My Rating:

by Lucinda Williams (Hartford, CT)

To Tom from Tx, my husband and i just had a crew from the manufacture come out last week to replace my spotty deck with new materials which they claim will not spot. We are still very skeptical about this. I sure wish i would have run into this website before. We will definately keep everyone posted in a couple of months.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-06-11

My Rating:

by Brian Miller (Fenton, MO)

Same problem as most already read. Black spots that even commercial cleaners won’t touch. Has anyone tried the Corte Cleaner, the staining the deck to prevent future spots?

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-06-10

My Rating:

by Tom (Dallas, TX)

I too have the same spotting problems on my ONLY 2yr old ChoiceDek. I tried the bleach cleaning method only to have these spots return in 5wks. Lowes had me contact the manufacture. AERT is sending a crew from Arkansas to deal with this frustrating mess….Has anyone had any success with AERT??

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Dated: 2007-06-08

My Rating:

by AL (ANDOVER, MN)

HAVE ANY OF THE PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT SPOTS AND MOLD TRIED THE CORTE CLEANER? AND IF SO, WHAT ARE THE RESULTS? PLEASE RESPOND.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-06-05

My Rating:

by margaret carroll (port orange, FL)

Bought this nasty product from Lowes in Port Orange. Still trying to achieve satisfaction in getting wood replacement for this molded product. We started noticing problems on this “low maintenance” prod. soon after the “Choice Dek” crap was installed—approx. 6 months. Lots of black spots that won’t budge and lots of dangerous unhealthy mold that we are having health issues with. Lowes seems to want to pass the buck as well as Choice Dek.

DON’T BUY THIS PRODUCT. IT STINKS.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-06-05

My Rating:

by Mike Butler (Winchester, KY)

In the summer of 2005 we installed a ChoiceDek purchased from Lowe’s of Winchester, KY. It looked beautiful for a year and a half. Then the black spots came. Everyone that I had told about ChoiceDek I called and told them to stay far away from that crap. I asked the dept. head about the problem and he said to use bleach and water. WRONG! We heard about Corte Clean. I asked the same guy about it and he said that he had never heard of it. We called several hardware stores and no one had heard of it. I found it on the internet and ordered it. We pressure washed the deck first and then followed the directions for the Corte Clean. It was a lot of work about 8 hours of brushing and washing and brushing and washing. Not my idea of maintenance free!!! So far the spots are gone and our fingers are crossed. I agree with some of the others, some one needs to start a class action suit. I think we all deserve our money back.

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Dated: 2007-06-05

My Rating:

by mark turner (reno, NV)

this is in reguards to the trex complaint the persons neighbor had. My trex deck surrounds the hous and is a large deck inback. Thers have been NO problems with it in any manner, no mold,no sag, no problem. Installed per instructions. VERY,VERY good product…

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Dated: 2007-06-02

My Rating:

by sharon & mark mcmillen (hilliard, OH)

this decking looked good for about the first 2 months. choicedek changed the formulation shortly after our purchase. we can see why. the expensive choicedek has black spots and looks terrible. cleaned exactly per choicedek specs. black spots were back within one week. extremely disappointed. would not recommend this product at all

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-05-29

My Rating:

by Susan Koelble (Southampton, PA)

We had a Trex deck installed in 2001. The instructions were followed both in the spacing of the boards and the number of underbracing. Within a year the deck was covered with mildew and sagging in several places. The boards had swollen so badly that the water could not runoff because of the sagging. When the children were playing in the pool a black grit would cling to them. We contacted Trex land were given the run-around for several years and then just gave up. This year we purchased a power washer and after three days of backbreaking work, I was able to get most of the mildew off. However, the deck will have to be taken up, additional bracing installed and the spacing of the boards will have to be adjusted. Since the deck wraps around our pool, which is free style, we will have to purchase all new boards for the lower deck. We purchased this material because we are getting older and wanted something as maintenance free as possible.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-05-29

My Rating:

by Bill (Silverdale, WA)

I have had Choice Deck for 3 years and have yet to have a Maintenance FREE year with it….It looks like HECK…Black stains are every where and very difficult to remove if at all… If you do get it clean it doesn’t last 3 months!
I won’t be using this on a new house build!

Fullfilled: Build Green Kitsap

Dated: 2007-05-25

My Rating:

by Ron Meliker (Ellicott City, MD)

Just bought ChoiceDek and not even finished installing it from Lowes and it has these awful mold spots on many of the pieces..
so much for maint. free

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-05-22

My Rating:

by Rod (Terrace, PA)

I was having the same problems with mold spots and other staining issues like grease, rust and all kinds of crap all over my Choice deck. So were my neighbors that have a Trex Deck, a Timbertech deck and Weatherbest deck.

The problem is not with decking products themselves, but with the decking manufacturers recommendations of cleaners that do not work and help the mold grow back faster.

After reading this and other web blogs I ordered some Corte Clean composite deck cleaner from their extremely informative website. I was extremely skeptical, especially because it is “Eco Friendly.” We, my neighbors and I, cleaned all our different brands of decks with it. I now know why others are so happy with this product after spending so much money on a Choice Deck. It was easy to use and my deck looks better than new. No sign of the mold returning after 3 weeks like when I cleaned it with other products. Hopefully it lasts all summer or even longer. Great product and great customer service.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-05-22

My Rating:

by LEE STROUD (FAIRFIELD, OH)

THIS IS OUR FOURTH SUMMER WITH OUR CHOIC DEK AND IT LOOKS LIKE CRAP FOR THE THIRD SUMMER.! WHEN WE FIRST BOUGHT IT I WAS TELLING ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS ABOUT THIS GREAT LOW MAINTENANCE DECK. NOW MY FRIENDS ARE TELLING ME ABOUT THEIR GREAT DECKS AND HOW BAD MINE LOOKS. MY SON DID HIS DECK ON HIS NEW HOUSE BUT THANKFULLY HE CHOSE TIMBER TEK AND HIS DECK HAS TO BE WASH WITH A BLEACH SOLUTION AT THE BEGINNING OF SPRING AND IT LOOKS GREAT ALL SUMMER LONG.

I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN MY DECK, WITH LOWES BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT STANDING BEHIND THE PRODUCT THAT THEY CONTINUING TO SELL; AND WITH CHOICE DEK BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SOLVING THE PROBLEM. I TOO HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH BOTH LOWES AND CHOICE DEK TO NO AVAIL.

I HAVE EIGHT GRANDKIDS AND WITH THE MOLD AND THE CHEMICALS THAT I USE TO TRY TO GET IT CLEAN; I DON’T FEEL IT IS HEALTHY FOR THEM TO CRAWL OR SIT ON THE DECK. THIS IS THE MAIN REASON THAT I CHOSE THIS PRODUCT AND THE ONLY GOOD THING I CAN SAY IS THAT IT IS SPINTER FREE. BUT I CAN’T ENJOY IT BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT LOOKS.

I REGRET THAT I CHOSE CHOICE DEK AND I HAVE TOLD EVERYONE THAT IS IN THE MARKET FOR DECKING NOT TO CHOOSE THIS PRODUCT.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-05-17

My Rating:

by greg (walnut hill, IL)

Spots , Spots, and more SPOTS. This stuff is JUNK! Don’t buy . And by the way did I mention SPOTS!!!

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Dated: 2007-05-14

My Rating:

by Dawn (Bayville, NJ)

my husband and I purchased this product last season and our deck is covered with mildew and black spots (maintenance free my butt) looks awful and does not live up to their claims…had a wood deck never had mildew, go figure…

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-05-13

My Rating:

by eileen kissag (flushing, NY)

We had a choice deck installed 2 years ago. It is a nightmare! The mold and mildew is ever present. I can get it clean, but as soon as we have any rain, it returns with a vengeance. I have complained to the manufacturer to no avail. My previous wood deck was there for 25 years, and except for the yearly waterproofing, it was no trouble, no mold or mildew either . We installed this deck because as we are getting older we wanted less maintenance. Instead we have gotten a real headache. If I could afford it, I would replace it. There should be a class action suit against this company. Anyone game?

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-05-11

My Rating:

by Mary Roberts (Salem, IL)

This is the worst product I have ever purchased. I am highly allergic to mold and can’t stand to clean this deck. After two years of trying to get help, a representative finally gave me the clorox, dawn, and water solution which doesn’t last two weeks. My deck is disgusting. Lowe’s tried to tell me it was insect droppings. Consumers should be refunded their money and the cost of building a new deck for this junk. If I am not mistaken, it was call zero maintenance at the time of purchase. Now they call it low maintenance which is not true. A wood deck would be much easier to maintain, and the mold wouldn’t make us sick. I’m not finished with my pursuit to get my money back. This many complaints should not be ignored.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-05-09

My Rating:

by Jeff (Chesapeake, VA)

CRAP, CRAP, CRAP. I have cleaned my deck 3 different times with the bleach / water / dish detergent formula that the manufacturer recommends. Lots of work (my deck is 52’ x 12’) and only looks good for about two months after the cleaning. I don’t recommend this product to anyone. VERY DISAPPOINTED! I will try the Corte Clean product next…hopefully it works as well as the other posters say it does.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-05-04

My Rating:

by Mr. K (Richmond, VA)

I love my ChoiceDek. I have had it for over 4 years and think it is the greatest product for decking. The positives far out weigh the negatives. Those of you who don’t want to clean it are lazy.

I will agree, the cleaning instructions on their web site don’t work and are a waste of time, especially when trying to remove black mold spots.

I have recently purchased some of the Corte Clean composite deck cleaning product mentioned on this web site.

Cleaning issues no more! If you have one of these decks and don’t want to waste time and money, this is the way to go.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-04-15

My Rating:

by M.B. (Newport News, VA)

My gray ChoiceDek deck is 6 months old and looks as great as the day it was installed in Oct. 2006. I bought plastic “bench brackets” from Northern Tools and added beautiful perimiter benching to the deck made out of the same gray ChoiceDek. The whole thing looks fab. I love it so far.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-04-15

My Rating:

by Paul (Kingston, NY)

Yes, yet another mildew story. Lowes in Kingston, NY acted as if they never heard of the problem. Yeh, right. I think I will print this forum out and attach it to the pile of Choicedeck, which they are still selling. Somebody screwed up big time!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-04-14

My Rating:

by Dan (Perrysburg, OH)

Was planning on installing this product in a month when building our deck. After reading the reviews I think I’m going to go a different route. Thanks for all the information. It’s a shame that Lowe’s continues to sell this product with all the problems associated with it.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-04-07

My Rating:

by Justin Jones (Little Rock, AR)

I was having the same cleaning issues that every one else is having. I have tried everything else including the products that Lowe’s, Home Depot and the local lumber yard sell without success.

I purchased the Corte Clean composite deck cleaner that others talk about and recommend on this site. I love the results! Cleaning my Choice Dek has never been so easy! BLACK MOLD SPOTS NO MORE!!! Grease Gone. Rust Removed. No chemical smell either. Plants still living. Product lives up to its reputation. I love that it is an eco friendly & green cleaner.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT TO ANYONE WHO HAS A CHOICEDEK COMPOSITE DECK and wants it to be spottless!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-04-02

My Rating:

by Stephen Simpson (Houston, TX)

I installed a 750 square foot deck made of ChoiceDeck purchased from Lowes. A third of it is under a covered porch and the remaining two thirds is under a very expensive cedar shade arbor that I built after installing the deck. The portion that is located under the arbor that receives rain is covered with mildew. It started almost 6 months after construction. I’ve cleaned it once with JoMax and it returned in two months time. I noticed the mildew is most pronounce in areas where water doesn’t drain off as fast. The mildew if left untreated, spreads quickly. The only long term cure is staining but that defeats the whole purpose of composite decking. Someone should think about filing a class action law suit against Lowes and the manufacturer!!!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-03-29

My Rating:

by Allan (Kihei, HI)

Love my Choice Dek! Yes, it gets dirty but cleaning it is far less maintenance than painting, staining or sealing like my last wood deck. This stuff will last for years longer than wood and is worth every penny I payed for it!

I was having the same problems with mold and cleaning issues that others have mentioned. Thanks to this web site I learned of the Corte Clean product to clean my Choice Dek. WOW! CLEAN! Issue over with, back to enjoying my deck.

Hopefully someone at Choice Deck will get a clue and get this stuff on their web site before they get too much bad press. Lowe’s should have this stuff in stock. Nothing that they sell for cleaning decks works on a Choice Dek. I have tried them all.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-03-24

My Rating:

by Tom Bault (San Antonio, TX)

I am days away from purchasing 500 feet of decking. Was leaning towards the ChoiceDek. Are there any other brands that are better, or is wood simply the better route to go. The selling feature of composite is all about how easy it is to maintain. All I am reading is it is 40% more and is an eye sore.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-03-22

My Rating:

by jim furubotten (aberdeen, WA)

I’m with everyone else. We put a lot of thought into if we wanted to spend the money for this product. Figureing this would be our last deck it should be maintenance free. What a joke. Same thing, spotted mold all over. I know we get 90-100 inches of rain a year in Aberdeen, Wa but still this was to be a main free deck. We spent ,000 for a poor product. I want a new deck of wood!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-03-20

My Rating:

by David Whisnant (Chapel Hill, NC)

We have had this product on our new deck for about eighteen months now, and it is spotted ALL OVER. A mess. I have not yet tried pressure washing or cleaning with any of the products others have mentioned, but the experience others have had with the vaious “remedies” doesn’t make me hopeful about making a big difference. And it sounds like ChoiceDek’s consumer support is a joke. I wish I could rip it out and replace it, but I can’t afford either the time or the money to do that. I will call ChoiceDek’s consumer rep, but what can one hope for? DON’T buy this stuff!!!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-03-15

My Rating:

by TJ (Austin, TX)

Why does Choice Dek not follow the recommendations of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) when it comes to mold remediation ON THEIR PRODUCT by recommending chlorine bleach and mixing it with products that contain AMMONIA (don’t do this, it is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS)?

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-03-06

My Rating:

by Jim and Judy (Jackson, TN)

Thank you all sooooo much!!! We are trying to decide what kind of decking material to use to replace a very old deck. We thought we would use the Lowe’s product but thanks to your input and information, you have saved us a lot of headache and $$. tks!!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-02-27

My Rating:

by Ray (Portland, OR)

Was having the same problems with mold and common staining. Used the Corte Clean because it was environmentally friendly. Problem Solved!

Clearly the manufacturer knows how to make a great product but has no idea what they are doing when it comes to cleaning mold from their product.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-02-19

My Rating:

by Mike (Columbia, SC)

Over a year and a half ago I was having the same problems with mold and other staining issues on my Choice Dek. I WAS PISSED! None of the recommended Chlorine Bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite) cleaners worked, and I tried them all even the really expensive ones sold over the internet, without success.

Eventually, I complained enough and AERT the makers of Choice Deck sent me a product called; Corte-Clean Eco Friendly Composite Deck Cleaner (www.corteclean.com). I followed the directions and the mold, BBQ grease and other stains came right out without a problem. My deck looked new and my head ache was over. The mold has not returned in over a year and a half.

I can not understand why this product is not recommended on their web site, especially since they sent it to me for free. If you call them and ask for it they may send it to you for free too.

I highly recommend Corte Clean to all of you having problems with cleaning mold from your Choice Decks.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-02-15

My Rating:

by Cal Musten (Memphis, TN)

Just completed our installation of the second deck. Found this site and am quite surprised. Our first deck is still beautiful. No staining, no Spots. Maintenance free – yes, but you still have to clean a skillet that is stick-free… Right? Regardless, we have had a great experience with the product and wont use anything else.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-02-09

My Rating:

by Joe (Sonora, CA)

I built a 800 square foot deck with railing all made of Lowes ChoiceDek. It was my first experience using composite decking, as here in California we use redwood alot. We did the deck in phases, and was alarmed when we purchased the amount of decking that the color was quite different than the first batch. The guy from Lowes said it would all fade to the same color, which it did. Surprise, surprise. We ended up buying extra then taking back the bad ones for credit. The posts and railng was a challenge to install as quite a few were twisted. I clamped a straightedge to the posts, so I could measure the angles of the railing/post joints, and then cut compound angles to the end of the railings. A big pain. The only staining the deck has had is from the owner frying calamari and the oil went spraying everywhere staining the deck! The entire deck gets afternoon sun which might keep it from getting spots.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-02-09

My Rating:

by Donn (Damascus, OR)

Update: Cancelled Trex order after reading more horror stories about that product also. I’m going with real wood, at least you know what your getting into with it!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-01-26

My Rating:

by Donn (Damascus, OR)

This stuff is awful, same problem as the rest of the folks. Mildew spotting after about 6-7 months. So much for maintenance free. I have 3 new decks I built on my house with this crap and I am burnig up mad now. I wish I had found this site and read other peoples problems before, oh how I wish I had known. I’m building our new house now and I just ordered Trex for the new one. These people need to be taught a lesson about ripping people off!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-01-23

My Rating:

by M A Smith (Colfax, CA)

This is a sorry product. Mold or mildew through out the whole deck, and impossible to clean.Over six months I’ve been calling A.E.R.T. and Lowe’s trying to get something done. So far nothing. Have close to ten thousand in this deck, not to mention the labor. The most expensive and frustrating experience ever. Hope this helps someone…........

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2007-01-02

My Rating:

by Manny C. (Mattituck, Long Island, NY)

Wow, After just building a new home and putting about 1,000 sq. ft. of this stuff in with matching rails in woodtone color . I am really sorry I did not come across this web site beforehand. This stuff was very expensive as is all coposite decking. I will update my results in the spring after having gone through a winter . I promise I will post an updte. If I have similar problems I will be marching into my Lowes store with my SIX FOOT long reciept in hand.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2006-12-07

My Rating:

by Leona (Kailua Kona, HI)

This stains easy and it is difficult to get it completely out. We also have black spots all over the place where rain or water has touched. It’s a bummer that we were hoping for a maintenance free or low maintenance and have a very unsightly appearance. Major bummer!

Fullfilled: Hawaii BuiltGreen

Dated: 2006-11-21

My Rating:

by Jennifer Kotwica (Lincoln Park, MI)

I agree totally with what everyone is saying. The product sucks. This was my second summer with this junk, and it’s covered with mold. I called AERT, and they asked me to take pictures, which I did, and send them. I have now talked to my third person from the company who states he will come to see my deck. I told him I followed the internet insructions and bleached out my gray deck. He told me that those instructions wouldn’t kill the mold. I need to buy a 2-gallon container, add a whole bottle of outdoor bleach, and fill up with water. That would be 3 parts bleach, one part water. My deck should be white after that cleaning! I guess you get what you pay for. DO NOT BUY!!! Lowe’s should think twice about selling this mess.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2006-11-20

My Rating:

by Richard Kessler (Independence, MO)

In three wordsDO NOT BUY! At installation many of the ballasts and posts had to be returned because of warpage or twisting. It was hard to find decent material. Now I have a leopard deck, full of spots of black mold. It has been cleaned every season with outdoor bleach at full strength and still the problem occurs. The company advertises that this material is and I quote virtually maintenance free. I dont know what their definition of that is, but it certainly doesnt mean to me a yearly mess of covering shrubbery and bleaching the deck. At my age (63) this is NOT what I wanted to get myself into. AgainDO NOT BUY!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2006-11-16

My Rating:

by Daniel Zink (Delran, NJ)

What a nightmare! This product is junk…I have called the manufacturer on several occasions and they give me the same run-around. The spotting is non-stop. I keep the deck very clean and the spotting just keeps coming back. Should have gone with Trex! I guess you get what you pay for.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2006-10-25

My Rating:

by James Talbert (Flint, MI)

The best information that I can pass on to anyone about this product is “don’t buy it, don’t buy it, don’t buy it”. I have e-mailed Weyerhauser about the unsightly spotted Choicedek material they sold me on through Lowe’s. No response! One question for Weyerhaeuser/”ChoiceDek’d”/A.E.R.T.(Who ever you are)! Is mold and mildew that penetrates this material considered staining; I have tried to wash clean, scrub clean, powerwash out, bleach clean, oxalic acid, etc. etc. The problem will not go away. I have not tried sanding yet. Staining and preserving a wood deck would have been a pleasure, if I would have known about the time wasted trying to remove the leopard spotting on my deck surface. The only thing that would make me happy, would be for you to pay for the labor and material (someother brand/product) and replace this junk. FYI, my deck is 27’ X 16’. Wasn’t cheap as I’m sure you’re aware. I am also very sorry I recommended your product to a friend, who put this spotted crap on his half million dollar home. That will not happen again.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2006-10-21

My Rating:

by Dean (Safety Harbor, FL)

What a disappointment! Spotting is awful and prepare to clean it every other month. This recycled material needs to stay in the garbage heap! I have 650 sq ft of mildew and year round maintenance. You’d expect more from Weyerhauser but marketing took precedence over quality. Don’t waste your money on this crappy product. Stick with wood.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2006-10-10

My Rating:

by Joyce Glover (Shelbyville, TN)

I totally agree with the rest of the ratings other people said. To be as expensive as this product is it is absolutely the most disappointing product I have ever used. My color is very light and it has mildew spots all over it. Help what can we do with this mess. Where is the manufacturer of this awful stuff??? Where you put a door mat it stains the deck. Anything you place on it leaves marks. Disappointed is not the appropriate word.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2006-10-03

My Rating:

by Lisa Ginkel (Schererville, IN)

We purchased choice deck because we did not want to maintain wood any longer. Well I would rather stain a wood deck every other year than look
at mold spots within three weeks of pressure washing it.
I can not tell you how disappointed I am with the product. I take great pride in
my home and we built this large deck because we entertain often. We did not
have any parties this summer because we are so embarrased of our deck.
If we could afford to take it down and build over we would. We have considered painting or staining it but we are worried that it may peel and look worse if that is possible ???
I think that the manufacture should do something for all the people that invested in their product.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2006-10-01

My Rating:

by Kathleen Thornton (Watervliet, NY)

Choicedek is not what I would have chosen had I known about the spotting. As far as I’am concerned the stuff stinks. Built ours as a back deck and around our entire pool. When we first installed ours, the neighbors liked it so much they installed one on the back of there home. The fading is no biggy to me but the spotting is just disgusting. They claim it is maintence free what a joke I’ve spent more time cleaning that deck than doing anything else. This is our second year with it. Can’t even rip it up and use as fire wood. It’s expensive junk,at best.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2006-09-27

My Rating:

by michael (fairfax, VA)

Crappy material. Spotting everywhere!! Wood looks better longer. Very disappointed. They should somehow compensate the consumer for their lies. Never needs staining, yeah right!!!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2006-09-16

My Rating:

by Todd Weisrock (Roswell, GA)

I bought ChoiceDek as a low maintenance alternative. It was very easy to install, and I didn’t mind the fading that other reviewers have mentioned, but that’s only because the faded grey color matches the stucco on my house.

I am EXTREMELY disappointed by the severe staining that my ChoiceDek has incurred. After 3 mos., it was so spotted and stained that I chose to clean it using the instructions on their web site. I took time over two days to prep and clean my deck. I blew it off, hosed it down, scrubbed it with a hand brush once with water and dish soap, and then a second time with deck cleaner purchased at Lowes. It only looked slightly better, despite all that work.

I am now in my second summer with my deck. I had a Realtor come to my house, as we are considering selling, and the first thing she said was, “What happened to your deck?!?” She stated that our severely stained deck must be dealt with or would be a big selling liability. I am considering cleaning it with a bleach compound or painting / staining it.

This deck has required more maintenance than my previous wood deck. I would stay away from this product.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2006-07-16

My Rating:

by Dave (Pittsburgh, PA)

Used redwood Choice last year from Lowes ,it kept the red color great and my famliy loves it because no splinters or cleaning. Great Product!

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2006-06-30

My Rating:

by Richard (Omaha, NE)

After reading the comments of other reviewers, and installing a Choice-Dek myself two years ago I would have say that our deck is not subject to chipping, even though it is used from 20 below zero to 100 degree days, and yes our deck does get some mildew spotting but in my research prior to purchaseing the deck I was aware that the color would fade to gray and I would have to occationally clean the deck to get rid of the mildew spots. Other than that we love our deck, the kids to not get splinter when crawling, you can go barefooted with out worries and this being the start of the 3rd year for our deck and no splitting of the wood what so ever. I know Choice-Dek has a newer product out that is available in many colors now and I dont have first hand knowledge of it…..yet. We are adding on to our deck and planning on using Choice-Dek again.

Fullfilled: N/A

Dated: 2006-06-11

Product Specifications

• Made from recycled wood fibers
• Limited lifetime warranty is fully transferrable