How to Power Wash a Deck
Has your deck seen better days? It’s always stressful when your property’s deck winds up dirty. Over time, this structure collects debris, and this debris has to be dealt with if you want your deck to look its best again. This line of thinking will lead you to a technique called power washing—but what exactly is power washing anyway?
In this blog, you’ll learn how to power wash a deck, as well as the benefits of doing so. As you’re soon to discover, deck power washing is a fantastic opportunity, and you’d be mistaken to skip it.
American Pro Wash will be your guide today. We’re proud to be Dayton, OH’s first choice for pressure washing services. Reach out to us anytime for a free quote.
What Is Deck Power Washing?
You won’t be able to power wash your deck if you don’t even know what power washing is. Allow us to explain. Power washing is a specialized cleaning technique that uses high-pressure water to revitalize surfaces. High-pressure water is very powerful, and it is able to rinse away stubborn debris with ease. This includes substances such as dirt, moss, mold, algae, pollen, dead insects, bird droppings, etc. Power washing is an important part of property maintenance for home and business owners across the globe. It’s also the perfect choice for restoring your deck’s former glory.
Why should you learn how to power wash a deck? Firstly, it will drastically improve its appearance. By removing all surface debris from your deck, you will reveal its “true colors”, helping you to impress your guests.
Additionally, a deck that receives regular cleaning will last longer. This is because debris will gradually erode your deck’s surfaces if given the chance. We recommend that your deck be power washed once per year to prevent this from happening.
What Do I Need For Deck Power Washing?
To learn how to power wash a deck, you’ll need the correct equipment. So, what does this include? The most important tool in your arsenal will be a pressure washer. This machine connects to a water source and highly pressurizes water so it can be sprayed onto exterior surfaces. You’ll also need a hose and nozzle; that way, you can actually aim this water and ensure your deck receives the precision cleaning it needs.
You’ll also need some sort of pressure washing detergent. A simple detergent goes a long way towards breaking down unwanted debris. You may also need a more powerful cleaning solution, such as sodium hypochlorite, for especially tough stains.
Finally, don’t forget safety equipment. By wearing eye protection, gloves, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes, you’ll reduce the risk of spraying yourself with pressurized water and avoid potential injuries.
Preparing For Deck Cleaning
There are a few important ways to prepare to learn how to power wash a deck. First and foremost, have you set aside enough time for the project? Deck cleaning isn’t something you’ll be able to complete in a half hour; chances are, you’ll need at least a few hours to finish the work. Because of this, you’ll want to make sure you have adequate time to dedicate to power washing. An impending appointment could tempt you to rush the work, which could very well result in less-than-stellar results.
You’ll also want to make sure the deck itself is ready for cleaning. For example, do you have furniture, decorations, and other items on its surface? If so, pick them up and relocate them to a safe place for the time being. That way, they don’t serve as obstacles, and they don’t become damaged by pressurized water, either. Finally, sweep the deck before pressure washing it. This will remove larger pieces of debris immediately.
Choosing a Water Pressure Level
One last thing. You need to choose an appropriate amount of water pressure for your deck cleaning project. The correct setting depends on your deck’s material. We have included a basic guide for your convenience below:
- Composite Decks: 500–1000 PSI
- Softwood Decks: 1000–1500 PSI
- Hardwood Decks: 1500–2000 PSI
- Metal Decks: 2000–2500 PSI
We recommend testing your pressure washer on an inconspicuous part of your deck before committing to the whole project. That way, you can see if your deck takes well to it. Also, don’t forget to add detergent to your pressure washer’s tank.
Power Washing the Deck
Now, let’s learn how to power wash a deck together! Begin by choosing a starting point on your deck. We highly recommend choosing one of the corners. Then, spray the deck all the way to the opposite corner; this is the first “row”. Now, overlap that row slightly and move along to the next. This is the best technique for fully revitalizing your deck. By using this pattern and paying attention, you’ll ensure that you don’t miss a single square inch of surface area.
What happens if you come across stubborn debris that won’t wash away? This is where powerful cleaning solutions like sodium hypochlorite come in. By applying a thin layer of this substance to any stubborn debris, you’ll rapidly break it down. Wait fifteen minutes before rinsing the area clean. You’ll find that grime that once put up a fight washes away with ease.
Considering Professional Services?
If learning how to power wash a deck on your own sounds too difficult, what should you do? You can skip the entire DIY process by scheduling professional services. That way, you can sit down and take some time to relax while a crew of experts completes the work for you. By choosing American Pro Wash, you’re on the right track to stunning results—and reasonable prices, too.
To get started today, simply contact us online with information about your deck. We will get back to you as soon as possible with a free estimate. Then, if you want, you can choose a time and date for your appointment. We will be there soon to power wash your deck to your complete satisfaction.
