How to Pressure Wash a Deck
There’s nothing quite like a clean deck. It’s the perfect setting to take some time to relax and enjoy the outdoors all at once. It’s even more fun to use your deck to host a backyard barbecue with your neighbors! However, all this use might result in your deck becoming dirty. When this happens, you may find yourself wondering how to pressure wash a deck. What tools will you need, and how exactly does the process work?
In this blog, we’ll teach you how to do deck pressure washing on your own. We are Ehrman’s Pressure Washing, a locally owned pressure washing business, so trust our expertise. We know the best techniques for the job, and soon, so will you!
Why Pressure Wash a Deck?
So, what makes deck pressure washing so important? Why should you even bother pressure washing your deck at all? There are a few reasons, actually! First and foremost, when decks aren’t cleaned, they will become dirtier and dirtier over time. That’s because they naturally accumulate substances such as dirt, moss, mold, algae, etc. If this debris buildup is ignored, it will result in your deck losing all visual appeal. This, of course, results in a less attractive home or business—and you definitely don’t want that.
Did you also know that deck pressure washing reduces the risk of your deck becoming damaged? This is because debris slowly harms your deck over time. For example, particles of dirt grind against the deck and erode its surface, and organic debris (e.g., moss, mold, and algae) causes moisture damage. To mitigate this damage, we highly recommend that your deck be pressure washed once per year.
What Equipment Does Deck Cleaning Require?
So, you want to learn how to pressure wash a deck. If so, you’ll want to make sure that you have the correct equipment for the job. First and foremost, you’ll need a pressure washer. This specialized piece of machinery takes regular water and transforms it into a highly effective surface cleaning force. Pressure washers even let you customize how much water pressure you are using, allowing you to clean decks of all materials safely!
What else will you need for your project? If you’re going to be handling pressurized water, safety equipment is a must, too. This safety equipment includes eye protection, gloves, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes. You’ll also want to invest in some sort of cleaning solution that can weaken stubborn debris. We recommend sodium hypochlorite. At Ehrman’s Pressure Washing, we use this chemical to break down tough grime during our day-to-day work.
Preparing the Deck For Pressure Washing
An important part of learning how to pressure wash a deck is preparing the surface for cleaning. So, what do you need to do? It’s simple—just remove any items on the deck and put them in a safe, alternate location. This is important for two key reasons. First, you won’t be able to thoroughly clean the deck if you don’t remove all objects from it. Secondly, if you don’t move these objects, there’s a real chance that you will damage them with pressurized water.
Another important way to prepare for deck cleaning is giving yourself enough time for the work. Pressure washing a deck isn’t a quick process. In fact, we suggest that you give yourself at least three hours to complete this work, especially if it’s your first time. That way, you have plenty of time to figure out what you’re doing without your project running over.
Pressure Washing the Deck
Now that you’ve made all the necessary preparations, it’s time to pressure wash the deck. The first thing you should do is choose an appropriate amount of water pressure for the project. How much PSI should you use when pressure washing your deck? That entirely depends on the material your deck is made of. We have included the four most popular deck materials, as well as the correct amount of water pressure to clean them with, below.
- Composite: 500–1000 PSI
- Softwood: 1000–1500 PSI
- Hardwood: 1500–2000 PSI
- Metal: 2000–2500 PSI
Next, choose a starting point on the deck. We strongly recommend that you choose one of the deck’s corners. Then, pressure wash the deck in a series of rows. This makes it easy to keep track of what you’ve already cleaned and what you haven’t. What happens if you encounter any stubborn debris along the way? Simple—just use cleaning solutions to break it down! By applying a thin layer of these cleaners to the afflicted area, you’ll weaken grime so it can be easily rinsed away. Expect stunning results at the end of your project. It’s amazing what pressure washing can do!
Remember to Pressure Wash Before Staining
Learning how to pressure wash a deck is instrumental in the deck staining process. That’s because you won’t be able to stain your deck if it is covered with debris. This debris prevents you from evenly applying stain to the structure, leading to less-than-desirable results. So if you’re looking into deck staining, remember that it goes hand-in-hand with deck pressure washing! Why not do both instead of choosing one or the other?
Need Professional Deck Cleaning?
Over the course of this blog, you’ve discovered how to pressure wash a deck, what tools you’ll need, and how you can prepare for the project. You’ve always learned that cleaning a deck is a lot of responsibility. In fact, you might not even have the time and energy for this process. Don’t want to do your own deck cleaning? Good news—you don’t have to if you schedule an appointment with Ehrman’s Pressure Washing.
Ehrman’s Pressure Washing is proud to be Jacksonville, FL’s first choice for pressure washing services. We are always prepared to pressure wash not only decks but also fences, porches, driveways, sidewalks, and many other surfaces! Contact us online and let us know about your project. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible with a free cost estimate for your convenience.