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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. Never get closer than 12 inches from the deck unless you’re using low pressure.
Can I just power wash my deck?
A pressure washer is a straightforward machine that can clean very well with only water. However, it can ruin your deck if it’s not used properly. If you use it with too much jet pressure or place the tip too close to the surface of your deck, you can deeply etch the wood and cause the fibers to splinter.
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.
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 I have to seal my deck after pressure 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. As long as you don’t use too much pressure, washing won’t cause any damage to the surface of your deck.
Should you jet wash decking?
Typically, we’ll only recommend pressure washing your deck as a last resort – once all other options have been exhausted. The reason is pressure washing a deck may damage it. If you pressure wash and then put a sealant on before the wood is dried it can seal in moisture which will lead to rot and other problems.
How long should I wait to stain my deck after washing it?
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.
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.
Is it OK to waterblast a deck?
Be careful. 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.
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).
Is deck cleaner necessary?
In short, yes. It is highly recommended to use a deck cleaner when prepping your deck for a new coat of deck stain. Also, recommended but not required is the use of a deck brightener before staining your deck. These deck cleaning solutions will soak down into the dry wood.
Should I use soap to pressure wash deck?
Study How to Pressure Wash a Deck and Begin the Process Most pressure washers come with a soap dispenser mode, so fill it up with a cleaner that will work for your wood. Switch to soap-only mode, and begin to cover any areas with grime. Then, you should use a synthetic scrubbing brush to massage the sprayed areas.
Why you shouldn’t powerwash your deck?
Wood decks are especially vulnerable to power washing, because the pressure exerted by the power washer can lead to splintering. If there is any area on the deck where the wood is already beginning to split apart, power washing it will exacerbate the problem and cause the split area to expand.
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.
Can I just power wash my 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.
Can 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.
