What time of year should you power wash your deck?

Power-wash your deck in spring before the warm season begins to remove the buildup of winter grime, mildew, and debris. Get your deck ready for your next BBQ by power-washing your deck on a warm summer day. Fall is also a great time to wash your deck.

Should you power wash your deck in the fall?

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. We recommend using a power washer to spray away dirt and debris quickly and clean all the way down into the grain of the wood.

Is it better to power wash in fall or spring?

Optimal Season For Power Washing

A good rule of thumb is to pressure wash your house between the months of March and November. This is the ideal window of time to make sure your home is clean and protected before harsh winter weather and freezing temperatures set in.

What is the best temperature to power wash deck?

Generally speaking, a good principle is to have the deck pressure-washed when the temperatures remain above 52 degrees both at night and during the day without rain or other condensation for several days. This allows the deck to dry as quickly as possible.

What time of year is best to pressure wash?

Experts agree that spring or fall is the best time to pressure or power wash your house. The goal is to avoid cleaning when the temperature is too cold or hot. The best practice is to ensure that you pressure wash your home once per year between March and November when the temperatures are not extreme.

A beginners' guide to properly power-washing your deck

What should you not do when pressure washing?

When should you not use a pressure washer?

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.

How long should a deck dry after power washing?

A basic rule of thumb for DIY deck builders, homeowners, and professional contractors is that roughly 48 hours is an adequate drying time for a newly washed deck.

Does power washing a deck damage the wood?

Wooden decks are highly vulnerable to severe damages when you subject them to power washing. The pressure that the pressure washer exerts on the deck surface leads to splintering. This problem mainly occurs when there is a section on your deck where the woods show the signs of split apart.

Is there an alternative to power washing?

Soft Washing is More Efficient than Pressure Washing

And because of the low-pressure system, soft washing uses significantly less water than pressure washing. The cleaning solutions used for soft washing are effective and will not harm the environment.

Can you pressure wash in the fall?

In general, houses should be power washed at least once a year any time between March and November. As it gets later in a calendar year, you'll want to make sure your home is taken care of before the freezing temperatures and winter weather arrive.

What weather is best for pressure washing?

When looking to pressure wash and paint your home's exterior, seek a string of days that offers moderate, consistent temperatures (somewhere between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, ideally around 70 degrees with minimal fluctuations), some sun (not too much), a few clouds (not too many), relative humidity levels between ...

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.

Do I have to stain my 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.

How much does it cost to pressure wash a deck?

Homeowners can expect to pay between $90 and $770 to power wash their deck, with the average pressure-washing cost coming in at $150.

What is the longest you can wait to stain a deck after power washing?

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.

What to do to deck after pressure washing?

Sand Your Deck Before Sealing

After you've pressure washed your deck, you'll need to wait for it to completely dry. Sometimes, this can take as long as 48-hours. Once it's dry, you'll want to sand your deck lightly. This is necessary to remove any splinters or fuzzy patches that pressure washing can cause.

Can you power wash a deck too much?

Using too much pressure

One of the quickest ways to do damage to your deck is by blasting it with a high-pressure power washer. Using too much pressure can scar the wood, leaving unsightly marks. Damage to the wood that weakens it in spots could eventually lead to structural damage.

What time of year should you stain your deck?

Because you want to wait for days that aren't excessively hot or humid, the best times to apply deck stains are in the late spring and early fall, when the weather is moderately warm and dry. Check the weather and find a time when it's not expected to rain for two days before and following the deck treatment.

Do you need to sand a deck after power washing?

If you are power washing to remove the surface of your decking, then yes, you'll need to sand your deck after power washing. If you are power washing just to clean your deck, then no you won't need to sand.

What is the difference between power washing and pressure washing?

The main difference is that power washing uses highly pressurized steam to do the cleaning while pressure washing just uses unheated tap water, without the help of a heating element.

Is pressure washing only seasonal?

Done effectively, pressure washing can be done year-round. No matter what the weather, you may need your pressure washer for your cleaning and maintenance needs. However, pressure washing during winter can present some unique challenges. Snow-covered roads may coat your fleet vehicles with dirt, ice, sand, and salt.

How many times a year should you pressure wash?

A Part of Routine Maintenance

As a general rule, most experts recommend that you wash your home every 6 to 12 months (or one to two times a year). By power washing your home on a regular basis, you can protect it from the onset of mold or mildew and maintain its beautiful appearance. Nothing is set in stone, of course.