Should you pressure wash a wood deck?

Ideally, you would pressure wash your deck at least once a year to remove algae and mildew and prevent other conditions that can harm your deck. If you have a wood deck, you should also pressure wash it before applying any stain or sealer.

Is it OK to pressure wash a wood deck?

For cleaning a wooden deck, you'll be best served by using the lowest pressure setting that's still effective. For soft woods like cedar or pine, this is usually about 500 to 600 psi. For harder woods, it can go up to 1200 to 1500 psi. Choose the right tip to use as well.

What is the best way to clean a wooden deck?

To clean your deck, combine 240 ml vinegar with 3.8 litres of water. Sprinkle baking soda on any mildewed timber 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.

Is it better to power wash a deck or use deck cleaner?

Pressure washing can help, but if you want your stain to last, using a good deck cleaner and brightener on the deck prior to pressure washing will provide you the best result. A good deck cleaner can remove the gray fibers, dirt, mold, mildew and other impurities deep in the wood.

What happens if I don't power wash my deck before staining?

If you decide not to power wash beforehand, not only will your new paint not stay for very long, but your old paint will still be underneath. Pressure washing will not only remove the dirt and grime, but it can also remove old, chipped paint that may cause discrepancies in you new paint job.

Pressure Washing Wood Decks - The Safe Way

Can I use Dawn to clean my wood deck?

Liquid dish soap (ammonia-free) is safe for use on cleaning your deck when mixed with a little warm water.

Why did my deck turn white after pressure washing?

When cleaning a cedar deck with just about any sort of cleaner, it's possible to end up with a white film often called "wood fuzzies" or furring. Furring can occur any time cedar is cleaned but is most seen in two scenarios: in new cedar or with heavily oxidized wood.

How do I protect my deck after pressure washing?

The best way to protect a wood deck is to give it 2 to 3 thin coats of a quality decking oil. You need 2 coats of oil if your deck is undercover but you'll need 3 coats if your deck is exposed to the weather. Make sure you use a deck brush applicator to apply the oil, not a roller or lambs wool applicator.

How often should decks 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.

What happens if you pressure wash wood?

Beware Pressure Washing Damage

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

Can you clean a deck with just a pressure washer?

Begin pressure washing the deck, moving with the grain of the wood in wide sweeping motions. Keep the nozzle about two feet away from the surface and move closer as needed. Don't get closer than 6 inches, or you could damage the wood.

What can I use instead of power washing a deck?

Add half a cup of baking soda to one gallon of water; Mix in 1/8 of dish-washing detergent; Spray on your concrete deck and allow it to sit for half an hour; Scrub thoroughly and rinse with a hose.

What time of year should you clean your deck?

Clean off the Deck Surface

So, crucial deck maintenance should be done near the end of the fall season, before the heavy rains and snow hit. The first step in fall deck maintenance is to wash the deck surface. This is key to preventing the growth of algae, moss, mold and mildew on the wood during the winter.

How do you clean a badly stained deck?

Soap and Water

Mix one cup of liquid dish soap or laundry detergent in a bucket of warm water. Pour the mixture onto the stained decking, and allow it to soak into the wood for about 15 minutes. Then use a stiff-bristle nylon brush to scrub the stains from the surface. Rinse with clean water and repeat, if necessary.

How do you restore a badly weathered deck?

Remove any damaged deck boards and cut off the rotted portion—all the way back to the centerline of the nearest joist. Use deck screws to reattach the good end, then cut a piece of like decking to fill the gap, and screw it to the joists. Check the handrails and balusters, then replace any damaged sections.

How do you make an old weathered deck look good?

What surfaces should not be pressure washed?

How much psi do you need to pressure wash paint off a deck?

Selecting a pressure washer with a range of 2,000 psi to 4,000 psi will give you the most effective power for removing peeling paint.

How long does it take for a deck to dry after you pressure wash it?

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.