How to Pressure Wash a Deck
Isn’t it nice to have a deck on your property? A deck gives you and your visitors a great place to relax. This is true whether you own a home, restaurant, or hotel. However, if your deck falls into a state of disrepair, it won’t be as appealing. It’s not as fun to hang out on a surface that is smothered with debris. Fortunately, by learning how to pressure wash a deck, you’ll be able to reclaim your deck’s beauty and make it the go-to place on your property again. So that leads to one question—how will you go about this work? Should you clean your own deck, or should you schedule an appointment with a pressure washing company?
We are Heroes Power Washing, and we are a locally owned and operated business in Riverside, CA. We are highly experienced in deck pressure washing, and we want to tell you more about this process. Then, you can decide whether you want to DIY or schedule an appointment with us.
Debris That You’ll Find On Your Deck
It may surprise you how much debris you will find on your deck. We encourage you to take some time to investigate its surface. What do you see? It’s very likely that you discovered dirt, mud, and even bird droppings. You may also find yourself faced with organic debris, such as moss, mold, and algae. While debris takes on many different forms, it all has something in common—it makes your deck look worse than it should.
What should you do about this debris? We highly recommend that your deck be pressure washed once per year. That way, the debris is removed, and the beauty of your deck is restored. This will also protect your deck from being eroded by particles of debris over time.
Required Equipment For Deck Pressure Washing
So, what will you need to pressure wash your deck? First and foremost, you will need a pressure washer. This sophisticated piece of equipment connects to a source of tap water, filters it, and pressurizes it. That way, the water can be used to remove various forms of debris from exterior surfaces. You will also need an attaching hose and a nozzle so you can actually aim this water at the areas that you want to clean.
We also recommend that you purchase cleaning solutions for your pressure washing project (e.g., sodium hypochlorite). These cleaners allow you to break down grime that is too stubborn to rinse away. Finally, don’t forget protective equipment. By wearing protective eyewear, closed-toe shoes, and full-length pants, you’ll shield your bare skin from pressurized water, reducing the risk of an accident.
Other Necessary Preparations For Deck Cleaning
An important part of learning how to pressure wash a deck is preparing the surface. For example, if your deck is covered with furniture, decorations, and other items, you won’t be able to complete the work properly. Not only will parts of your deck’s surface be blocked, but your belongings will be at risk of being damaged by pressurized water. To prevent this from happening, move all deck items to a separate location before beginning the pressure washing process.
We also recommend that you give yourself enough time for your DIY deck cleaning project. This work takes more than a few minutes to complete, after all. You may even need as much as two to three hours. Don’t rush through your pressure washing project—the last thing you want is unsatisfactory results.
How to Pressure Wash a Deck On Your Own
Now that you’ve made it this far, it’s time to learn how to pressure wash a deck on your own. First, choose an appropriate amount of water pressure for the project. The correct choice depends on the material your deck is made of. We’ve included a bulleted list for your convenience below:
- Composite: 500–1000 PSI
- Softwood: 1000–1500 PSI
- Hardwood: 1500–2000 PSI
- Metal: 2000–2500 PSI
Next, find a starting point on your deck. (We recommend one of the corners.) Now, thoroughly pressure wash the entire surface. By cleaning the deck in a series of rows, you’ll be able to easily keep track of what you have washed and what you haven’t. Watch as the structure is restored before your eyes. You’ll love what pressure washing can do for you!
Struggling With Organic Debris?
Sometimes, you’ll find that your deck has collected a significant amount of organic debris. This includes substances such as moss, mold, and algae. These growths put up a fight during the pressure washing process, and you may be tempted to leave them behind. However, this would be a mistake because they can release spores and spread across your deck. Don’t let this happen—instead, fight back against organic debris with cleaning solutions.
At Heroes Power Washing, our cleaning solution of choice is sodium hypochlorite. By applying a thin layer of this chemical to decks, we are able to kill and break down organic debris. That way, it can be more easily removed. You are welcome to use the exact same strategy during your deck pressure washing project. That way, you don’t have to be at the mercy of moss, mold, and algae!
DIY or Professional Deck Cleaning?
When learning how to pressure wash a deck, something you should keep in mind is whether you are cut out for the work or not. That’s because DIY pressure washing isn’t easy. It requires sophisticated equipment, a significant time investment, and a lot of physical labor. If you are already running on a tight schedule, it’s possible that you won’t have the capacity for DIY deck pressure washing. Don’t worry, though, because you can always schedule an appointment with Heroes Power Washing.
We are your community’s preferred pressure washing company, and when figuring out how to pressure wash a deck is too difficult, we’re here to do the work for you. Expect professional-grade results for a fair price—we never settle for anything less! Contact us online for a free cost estimate. We look forward to hearing from you.
