Is your deck overdue for power washing? Over time, all outdoor-facing structures and surfaces gather debris, and this includes your deck. Eventually, your deck will need to be cleaned—otherwise, it will never return to its former glory. The good news is that learning how to power wash a deck is feasible for everyday property owners. Sure, there are challenges involved, but with a little determination, you’ll be able to overcome them and make your deck spotless again.
Discover how to power wash a deck with JayBee Pressure Washing. Or, reach out to us for professional services. Our team is ready to serve you; all you have to do is call.
Set Aside Time For DIY Deck Power Washing
If you want to learn how to power wash a deck, you need to give yourself enough time to do the work first. Power washing isn’t the sort of work that you can “squeeze in” between other tasks. It requires your full attention, and more often than not, it will take hours of your time.
Plan to power wash your deck on a day when you don’t have many responsibilities. That way, you don’t have to haphazardly rush through the process. Being forced to hastily complete power washing work will compromise the quality of the final results.
Acquire the Necessary Equipment
To learn how to power wash a deck, you’ll need to purchase the correct equipment. We’ve put together a list of the necessities for you. How many of these items do you already have, and which ones will you need to purchase at a hardware store?
- Pressure Washer
- Attaching Hose/Nozzles
- Basic Detergent
- Sodium Hypochlorite (for tough stains)
- Protective Gear (gloves, goggles, full-length pants, closed-toe shoes)
We also recommend taking some time to research this equipment and how it works. Take it for a practice run and try cleaning a small area on your property. Give yourself the experience needed to make your deck power washing project a success.
Clear the Deck Before Cleaning
Before you power wash your deck, you’ll want to clear all items off its surface. Please take some time to relocate any furniture, grills, potted plants, and decorations. Why do they need to move? There are two reasons: one, these items will get in the way of your work; two, these items could be damaged by pressurized water if they stay on your deck.
We also recommend sweeping your deck before power washing it. That way, there are no large particles of debris on its surface that might be launched when sprayed. Finally, don’t forget to shield any nearby flower beds or gardens. Simply covering them with a tarp or drop cloth is enough.
Choose an Appropriate Amount of Water Pressure
Power washing is not a “one-size-fits-all” process. You’ll have to carefully select how much water pressure to use based on your deck’s material. Different materials require different treatment methods. We have listed four common deck materials, as well as how much water pressure to clean them with, below.
- Composite: 500–1000 PSI
- Softwood: 1000–1500 PSI
- Hardwood: 1500–2000 PSI
- Metal: 2000–2500 PSI
Always test your selected water pressure in an inconspicuous area before beginning your work. That way, you can see how the surface reacts. If there appears to be damage, adjust your water pressure setting and test again before committing to the whole project.
Chemically Pre-Treating the Deck
In many cases, decks will have tough stains on them that require special treatment to remove. Because of this, we recommend chemically pre-treating the deck, helping you break down stubborn grime ahead of time. At JayBee Pressure Washing, our cleaning solution of choice is sodium hypochlorite. Let’s review how you can use it to weaken stains and ensure high-quality results during your deck power washing project.
Apply sodium hypochlorite to your deck using a spray bottle or pump sprayer. Ensure a thin, even layer across the entire surface. Then, wait fifteen minutes for any tough stains or debris to be broken down. Once this time has passed, your deck will be ready for proper power washing.
Restoring Your Deck’s Beauty
Here’s what you’ve been waiting for: learning how to power wash a deck. First, keep in mind that the distance between the tip of the hose and the deck affects the strength of the cleaning. For stronger results, maintain a distance of one foot. For gentler results, aim for a foot and a half instead. Choose one of the corners as a starting point; then, power wash the deck in a row-by-row formation, slightly overlapping each pass.
By the time you have completed the work, your deck will look much better than before. The removal of debris doesn’t just improve your deck’s appearance, though. It also helps it last longer. Prevent surface damage and save money in the long run by learning how to power wash a deck!
Need Professional Deck Power Washing?
You won’t always have time for DIY power washing. This is especially true if you already have a busy week schedule—a few spare hours can be hard to come by. Plus, you may feel like DIY power washing isn’t a good fit for you. Fortunately, you don’t have to learn how to power wash a deck if you don’t want to. You can always schedule an appointment with JayBee Pressure Washing instead.
We are Atlanta, GA’s first choice for professional power washing, and it would be our pleasure to restore your deck’s appearance for you. Reach out to us anytime because we would love to put your appointment on our schedule.
Cost of Professional Deck Power Washing
How much will you pay for our deck power washing services? That depends on the overall size of your deck. By providing custom quotes based on how much surface area you need us to clean, we ensure that you receive a fair price.
Contact us online to get started today! We look forward to hearing from you, learning more about your deck, and providing you with a free cost estimate.
