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.
Do I need to use deck cleaner if I power wash?
Pressure washers are powerful, and you should only need to use one every few years for your deck. Unless you see serious grime, you can make do by applying some cleaning solution and washing it away with a hose. Your deck may not have grime on it, but the color of the stain may wear away.
What setting do you use 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.
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).
What size pressure washer do I need to clean a deck?
To clean your deck you need to use a pressure of between 1300-2300 pressure per square inch (PSI), any more than this can cause damage to the deck, paint, laquear, and staining. Pressure washing a deck does come with the risks of damaging or splintering the wood.
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.
What is the best way to clean decking?
To avoid damaging your decking, create a gentle cleaning solution with warm water and liquid dish soap. Alternatively, you can use a speciality wood deck cleaner. Saturate the surface and scrub the deck with a stiff-bristled brush or sponge until the cleaning solution starts to lather.
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.
How do I clean a balcony deck?
The recipe is pretty straightforward: 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. Apply a coat of concrete sealer to protect your deck from future stains.
How do you pressure wash a deck without removing stains?
Set your power washer at a low to medium setting when cleaning a deck to make sure you do not damage your wood. One of the most important things to remember is that if you use the high pressure setting for the power washer you may damage your wood and leave marks that cannot be covered up by a wood stain.
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.
How long should you wait to stain a deck after power washing?
After a deck has been power washed it will have some retained moisture within the wood. It’s important to let the wood dry thoroughly so none of the water that soaked into the wood gets trapped under the stain. In perfect drying conditions, 48 hours is enough for the wood to get to where it needs to be before staining.
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.
How do you clean a wooden deck?
They include: Warm water can be used on its own to wash a wood or composite deck. Liquid dish soap (ammonia-free) is safe for use on cleaning your deck when mixed with a little warm water. Oxygen bleach or powdered oxygen laundry cleaner is safe for use on wood decks and useful in removing mold or spores.
How do I get white residue off my deck?
Soft washing is a technique using chemical cleaners and light spraying. 30 SECONDS Outdoor Cleaner is a fast, effective way to clean stains from Algae, Mold and Mildew off your deck with minimal time, effort and money.
