Should you power wash your deck every year?

Most home maintenance contractors recommend power washing your deck once a year. An annual wash will keep your deck in optimal condition, cutting down on accumulation of dirt, mildew, or algae growth.

Does power washing damage a deck?

If you have timber deck boards, a power washer's pressure may cause splintering and damage to the timber fibers. If the timber surface already has some splintering, pressure washing will only exacerbate the issue.

When should you pressure wash your deck?

How often should you wash deck?

DO clean the deck thoroughly once a year. Your deck needs an annual exfoliation so protective sealers can seep deeper into the wood. When it's dry and moderately warm—60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit—apply an appropriate deck-cleaning solution with a roller or sprayer to kill mold and bacteria.

Is pressure washing enough to clean deck?

The answer is the same – simply pressure washing alone is not enough. Utilizing a good deck cleaner will also help to break up and remove any remnants of mill-glaze. Mill glaze forms during the milling process of the wood and prevents the stain from soaking into the new wood.

Pressure Washing Wood Decks - The Safe Way

Do you have to seal deck after power washing?

If your deck is in a great condition and you're simply pressure washing it to remove dirt, dust or mold build up then there's no need to seal your deck after pressure washing. You would be using a gentle soap solution and giving your deck a scrub then pressure washing to remove the cleaning agent and dirts.

Is deck wash necessary?

A: Yes. The answer is simple enough, but it really should be remembered that it's important to remove all dirt and contaminants from the surface of wood to ensure proper stain penetration and maximum durability of wood stains. These cleaning tips will help you properly prepare your deck before staining it.

How often should a wood deck be power washed?

Most home maintenance contractors recommend power washing your deck once a year. An annual wash will keep your deck in optimal condition, cutting down on accumulation of dirt, mildew, or algae growth.

Does a deck need to be stained every year?

Many homeowners wonder, “How often should I stain my deck?” To keep a deck looking great and prolong the life of the wood, a deck should be stained every two to three years. Other signs your deck needs staining are: The deck has mold or mildew buildup. Water soaks into the deck boards and no longer beads up.

How do I keep my deck looking new?

One of the easiest ways you can maintain the look of your deck is to simply sweep it. Make it part of your routine sweep off your deck around once a week. This will remove any leaves and other plant debris that accumulate throughout the week due to winds, backyard bushes, and backyard trees.

What happens if you don't clean deck before staining?

But don't just slap a coat of stain on in a hurry — you'll need to clean your deck before staining it. If you stain a deck without cleaning and prepping it first, the results will look blotchy, uneven, and, well, amateur. Any time you save skipping the cleaning stage, you'll spend twice over repairing the botched job.

Should I power wash deck before staining?

Taking your time is key to power washing a deck successfully. Now that the wood has been cleaned and stripped of grime, you can sand it and apply your stain of choice. Power washing a deck before staining will allow the wood to absorb the stain better and deeper.

Is it OK to waterblast a deck?

And PLEASE, do not waterblast your deck, no matter what the manufacturers of overpriced cleaning gadgets tell you. Powerful jets of water can damage your decking timber, lifting timber fibres. The net result could be a “fluffy” deck, or even one that is more prone to mould and dirty build up than it was to start.

What to do after you power wash your deck?

After you've power-washed the entire deck, rinse all of the wood with plain water to dilute and neutralize the stripper. If there's still debris trapped between deck boards, such as leaves or twigs, remove it now (Photo 3).

Why does my deck stain peel every year?

Deck stains will generally peel for two basic reasons: over application and poor adhesion. This is simple — too much stain on the surface of the wood. With deck stains, specifically with semi-transparent finishes, more is not better. You only want to apply as much product as the wood can easily absorb.

When should you not stain a deck?

You want to apply the stain when the wood surface and air are in the temperature range of 50° – 90°F. You also want to avoid the direct application of sunlight. Lastly, do not apply a stain if there is a forecast of rain in the following one to two days, or all your hard work could end up being washed away.

Is staining a deck worth it?

Staining a deck will lead to less work in the future. One of the main reasons the professionals don't recommend staining wood decks is because of the amount of time and energy involved. Stains don't generally last more than a year. This means yearly cleaning, staining and, if necessary, sanding of your deck every year.

How long should I wait to stain my deck after pressure washing?

Wood Deck Staining Overview

Let's start by answering the question: how long should you wait for your deck to dry after you power wash it? The short answer is 48 hours. You should wait at least two days after pressure washing your deck before you consider staining it, to give time for it to dry.

Are deck cleaners worth it?

In short, yes. We highly recommend using a deck cleaner when prepping your deck for a new coat of deck stain. We'd also recommend using a deck brightener before staining your deck, though this step isn't required.

How much does it cost to power wash and stain a deck?

The average cost to power wash and stain a deck is $2.15 to $4.25 per square foot. Deck painting cost is slightly lower. Total cost is $415 to $925 for decks of average size when a contractor is hired to do the work.

What is the best way to clean a wooden deck?

To clean your deck, combine 1 cup vinegar with 1-gallon water. Sprinkle baking soda on any mildewed wood and use the vinegar and warm water to scrub over all the boards. Borate is also a natural cleaner and versatile for indoor or outdoor cleaning. Use a ratio of one cup of Borax to one gallon of water.