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Choosing the Right Equipment
- A 40o to 60o (degree) tip size is standard for cleaning a deck.
- Bring the fan to the surface where you want to sweep the deck.
- Use a wide-angle tip between 40 and 60 degrees. This ensures the water isn’t concentrated which can lead to damage.
- Use a pressure washer with a PSI lower than 1500 to avoid damaging the decking which could cause scratching, splintering or breaking.
Preparing for Pressure Washing
- Prepare the wood by using 80-grit sandpaper over the deck surface.
- Broom away all dust and make sure the entire deck is clear.
- Use wood stripper and wood brightener in 2 separate steps to assist the pressure washing.
Safety and Efficiency Tips
- Don’t use ladders when pressure washing, use an extension wand instead to reach high areas.
- As you better understand pressure washing a deck, you’ll know what can be accomplished by a simple washing and what requires extra effort.
- While pressure washing seems simple, you must be careful not to ruin your deck.
- Start at the highest corner so runoff flows in one direction.
Key Pressure Washing Guidelines
- Use 500-600 PSI for soft woods like cedar or pine.
- For harder woods, go up to 1200 PSI max.
- Use a 40-60 degree wide-angle tip to prevent concentrated water from causing damage.
- Start washing from the highest corner so water flows in one direction.
Cleaning the Deck Properly
- First, lightly wash the deck with cleaner or stripper.
- Rinse at around 1200 psi, getting no closer than 6 inches.
- Identify grime builds up over time.
Protecting Your Deck
- Properly pressure washed, a deck removes dirt, mildew and stains quickly.
- But spray can damage plants. Use 800 PSI or less for soft cedar.
- Some brands recommend lower.
- Cedar is easily damaged by high pressure.
- Remove furniture, plants and debris before starting.
- Rinse thoroughly after washing. Let dry completely before sealing.
- Use low pressure and cleaning solutions on composite decks to prevent damage.
