Should I Pressure Wash my Deck? What Professionals Say

Are you thinking about how to rejuvenate your deck? Pressure washing might be an option. We’re here, equipped with professional advice, to help you decide if this is the best choice for your deck.

Should I Pressure Wash my Deck?

Pressure wash deck yearly when over 52°F. Use 500-600 PSI for softwoods and 1200-1500 for hardwoods. Wear protective gear. Clean with wood grain using a 40-60 degree nozzle 12-18 inches away. Homemade cleaners like vinegar and baking soda can help.

Experience the transformation that pressure washing can bring to your deck. It’s not just about cleaning; it’s about rejuvenating your outdoor space. Learn how to do it right from the professionals. Keep going for more insights.

How do you Pressure Wash a Deck Without Damaging it?

Pressure washing a deck without damaging it requires some knowledge about the condition of the surface. As stated earlier, the hardness of wood can determine the PSI used along with tools like the size of the nozzle. Using a nozzle that is too narrow can splinter the wood.

I recommend using a white 40-degree for great results. Your decks and the area of your house are the most exposed to dirt and moisture and are often neglected. Before washing or sealing the deck, it’s essential to eliminate all the stains, mold, and dust.

You can do this with simple water, a cleaning solution, or a pressure washer. But even when used correctly, a power washer can cause damage. This is why following the steps below is essential to avoid any damage to your deck.

● Step 1: Safety Measures of the Pressure Washer

Before using the pressure washer in any job, always put safety precautions first. Not only can the high water pressures damage the wood, but they can injure the person using it. Wearing protective gear like gloves, safety goggles, rubber shoes, and ear protection can prevent serious injuries.

● Step 2: Prepare the Surrounding Area

Prepare the deck and surrounding area to be power washed. This means covering the plants using tarps or painter’s tape, moving furniture or fragile items, and cleaning the wood.

Applying the cleaner beforehand and leaving it for a few days can protect your wood structure. Similarly, scrub the wood using the brush after applying cleaner over the grease stains on the deck surface.

● Step 3: Choose the Right PSI

Use the lower pressure settings to clean a deck with a pressure washer. For example, softwoods like pine and cedar require PSIs of 500 to 600 for proper cleaning. Hardwoods like Teak, Ipe, Iroko, Camaru, Garapa, and Balau require 1200 to 1500 PSI.

● Step 4: Choose the Right Nozzle

Choosing the proper nozzle also plays a vital role in cleaning a deck effectively. Usually, a fan or rotating tip works best for cleaning wood. Apply 18 inches (no more than 12 inches) of water pressure from the deck and check water pressure away from people or glass.

I recommend using a wide-angle nozzle since wooden decks are not as strong as concrete or bricks—for example, the white 45-degree or black 60-degree nozzle.

● Step 5: The Right Technique

Using the proper technique also plays a significant role in pressure washing a deck without damaging it.

The best technique is to push water across the surface using a sweeping motion with your arms, maintaining at least one foot of space between the deck surface and your nozzle. Move with the wood grain to prevent rippling.

● Step 6: Sand Down any Raised Areas

You might find that pressure washing the deck had caused some areas of the wood to rise. After letting the wood completely dry, use sandpaper to level the wood and sand away the raised areas.

Can Power Washing Damage a Deck?

When done correctly, using a pressure washer should not hurt your deck. Power washing, or power washing a wood deck, is similar to pressure washing but uses hot water. Hot water helps to remove more tough stains.

But there are outside variables that can lead to damage. For instance, power washing an already weathered deck could cause the wood to split or splinter or raise the wood grain and cause ripples in your deck.

These problems can be fixed using lower water pressure and sanding your deck afterward. Washing your deck incorrectly could include using the incorrect PSI, cleaning solution, technique, or nozzle. The same issues – wood splintering, rippling, and mold – can arise with these problems.

• The Importance of Correct Power Washing Technique

These problems can be fixed by double-checking your deck’s needs before washing, correcting your technique, and ensuring any cleaning solution has dried. If you plan to wash the deck, you may need to consider the distance between the spray tip and the surface.

Holding the spray tip too close can damage the wood. So, keeping a safe distance and moving your arm steadily is essential to ensure even cleaning. If you’re dealing with a stubborn stain or a heavily soiled area, you may be able to increase the pressure slightly but be careful not to damage the wood.

Also, remember to adjust the pressure washer settings accordingly. After power washing, you might need to sand the deck, primarily if the water has raised the wood grain. This is particularly important when dealing with a stair tread or other high-traffic areas.

• Drying Time: A Crucial Step Before Power Washing

If you’re using a cleaning solution or a chemical, ensure it has completely dried before you start power washing. This can prevent the solution from being sprayed around unintentionally.

Lastly, always take a break every few minutes to prevent fatigue and ensure you control the pressure washer. This is especially important when cleaning a stair or other elevated areas.

In conclusion, power washing can be a great way to clean your deck, but it’s essential to do it correctly to avoid damaging the wood. Always check your deck’s needs, use the proper technique, and ensure any cleaning solution has dried before washing.

Should you Pressure Wash a Deck Before Staining?

Generally, it’s unnecessary to pressure wash it before staining for a newly installed deck. You can clean the surface with a hose and mop before washing it.

However, for an old deck, it is necessary to pressure wash it and apply a deck cleaner for a brighter result. Pressure washing and cleaning a deck before staining provide a better look later.

When should I pressure wash my deck?

It is necessary to pressure wash your deck at least once a year. Being exposed to weather conditions year-long will lead to staining, warping, dirt, and mildew that can damage the wood surface of your deck. But what is the right time?

The answer is simple – you never want to pressure wash your deck when the temperature is below freezing. At this temp, the water in the pressure washer pump will start to freeze.

Experts say the perfect temperature is above 52 degrees Fahrenheit without rain. At this temp, water will dry quickly off of the wood.

What PSI is needed to power wash a deck?

To clean a wooden deck, I recommend using the lowest pressure setting that you will find compelling. Start from the lowest setting and only increase when you can not remove a tough stain.

Use a pressure of around 500 to 600 PSI for softwoods like cedar, pine, and California Redwood. And 1200 to 1500 PSI for harder woods like Teak, Ipe, Iroko, Camaru, Garapa, and Balau.

Can you use a pressure washer surface cleaner on a wood deck?

I would not recommend using a surface cleaner on a deck. Particularly with softwood, it is better to spray with the grain of the wood. That is not possible with a surface cleaner. But as long as the pressure is such that it does not damage the wood, you can use it.

What is the best homemade deck cleaner?

These are some of the best homemade deck cleaner recipes:

● Homemade General Cleaner

The first recipe is for a general cleaner. It uses regular household cleaning items and is easy to make. You need:

• 1 gallon of warm water
• 1 cup of laundry detergent (powder)
• 3/4 cup of oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate)

Add the ingredients to a bucket and stir them. When thoroughly mixed, you can pour the mixture on the deck. Let it stay there for 30 minutes to do its work. Then, use your pressure washer to clean the deck. Ensure that you use a low PSI and go with the wood grain.

● Homemade Mildew and Algae Remover

This recipe is perfect for removing tough mildew and algae. You need:

• 1 gallon of water
• 1 cup of soap. I recommend using an ammonia-free soap.
• 1 quart of bleach
• 2 cups of rubbing alcohol

Add the ingredients to a bucket and stir them. When correctly mixed, pour the mixture on the deck. Let it stay there for half an hour to let the ingredients do their work. You can then use your pressure washer to clean the deck. Ensure that you use a low PSI and go with the wood grain.

● Homemade Organic Deck Cleaner

This organic deck cleaner uses vinegar and baking soda. When mixed, they react with each other and work together to remove stubborn stains and grease. You need:

• 1 gallon of water
• 1 cup of vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• 1/2 cup of lemon juice

Add the ingredients to a bucket and stir them. You will see the vinegar and baking soda react with each other. When thoroughly mixed, pour the mixture on the deck.

Let it stay there for half an hour to do its work. Then, use your pressure washer to clean the deck. Ensure that you use a low PSI and go with the wood grain.