Table of Contents
Is it OK to power wash a wood deck?
Ideally, power washing a wood deck will not ruin the wood and etch or erode the softwood fibers. However, when wood gets wet, the fibers may become raised, creating a rough surface. This is a particular problem on handrails, where the raised fibers can lead to splinters. Make sure the wood is dry before sanding.
Is it good to power wash a deck?
A pressure washer can clean a wood deck much faster than you can scrub it by hand. That is a terrific advantage. The stream of water can be powerful enough to erode the light-colored spring wood fibers. Those that are not eroded can be dislodged, leaving the wood fuzzy or rough after it dries.
Do I need soap to pressure wash my deck?
The only materials you’ll need are a broom, a hose, a bristle brush, and a biodegradable cleaning solution. Dish soap should work fine on your deck, although some homeowners use a mixture of powdered laundry detergent (without bleach) and water.
What do you put on deck before pressure washing?
Applying the Cleaner Apply a wood cleaner formulated for pressure washers using a low-pressure soap nozzle. Apply the detergent from bottom to top. Use a utility brush to scrub the solution in tight corners and between deck balusters. Apply the cleaning solution, covering the width of a few boards with each pass.
What PSI is needed to power wash a 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.
Is it better to sand or power wash a deck?
DO sand your deck before sealing. At that point, lightly sand the surface to remove splintery or fuzzy patches caused by pressure-washing the deck. A pole sander with 80-grit sandpaper will suffice; a power sander is overkill. Then seal the deck to protect from cracking, cupping, and warping.
Do you have to stain a deck after power washing?
As a general rule, you should wait at least 24 hours to stain a deck after power washing. You want the deck to be completely dry before you put any sort or coating on top. Waiting 24 hours makes sure that your deck is completely dry, but really, once it’s dry, you’re ready to stain.
Do you have to seal deck after power washing?
After completing the deck power washing, wait 24 to 36 hours before applying sealer. If the weather is cool or humid, wait 48 to 72 hours. The deck must be thoroughly dry to ensure deep penetration of the sealer.
Can you jet wash decking?
Jet washing is a popular choice for removing flaky or peeling sealers. You can use a jet washer to clean decking finished with oils too, but you need to take care not to push the existing finish out of the wood and into surrounding plants, ponds or soil.
What is the best homemade deck cleaner?
DIY Organic Deck Cleaner Recipes 1 gallon of warm water. 3/4 cup of oxygen bleach. 1 cup of powdered laundry detergent. 1 gallon of water. 2 cups of rubbing alcohol. 1 quart of household bleach. 1 cup of ammonia-free soap. 1 gallon of water. 1 cup of apple cider vinegar. 1/2 cup of lemon juice. 1 tablespoon of baking soda.
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).
Do you sand or power wash deck first?
Splintered, cracking, or just plain rough wood should be sanded first, then pressure washed to open the wood’s pores and allow penetration of the stain. Deeply grooved wood that has mold, moss and other growing things filling the cracks will need treatment with a deck and siding cleaner.
What if it rains after I power wash my deck?
If it looks like rain, cover the deck in a tarp to avoid extra seepage. If standing water is left after you power wash and scrub the deck, squeegee it off the surface of the wood or soak it up with towels to avoid soaking into one place.
When should I pressure wash my 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.
Should you power wash pressure treated wood?
Should You Pressure-Wash It? Yes. Decks made from South American hardwoods such as Ipe, Camaru, and Tigerwood will hold up to the power just fine. Decks made of pressure-treated wood are generally okay, too, assuming you don’t hold the nozzle too close.
Should you power wash deck before staining?
There is a common misconception that just pressure washing a deck prior to staining is all you need to do in order to prep your deck for stain. 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.
