Who doesn’t like spending time relaxing on a deck? These outdoor structures are the perfect place to enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer while only being a minute’s walk from the fridge. That way, you can grab a fresh drink as soon as you finish the last one! Yes, it sounds like a calming way to spend your time. However, the overall cleanliness of the deck has a real effect on your ability to relax. The dirtier the deck is, the less refreshing your experience will be. Eventually, you’ll wonder how to pressure wash a deck and restore its beauty. Well, why don’t we look into this topic together?
We are California Pressure Washer, and we love pressure washing surfaces for our Rancho Cucamonga neighbors. So, if you ever need help restoring your deck, just give us a call! It would be our pleasure to serve you.
Why Pressure Wash a Deck?
Why learn how to pressure wash a deck? Is it really necessary to pressure wash a deck? Our answer is yes. All exterior surfaces accumulate debris over time, which means that your deck is destined to become dirty over time. It goes without saying that the dirtier your deck is, the less visually appealing it will be. Pressure washing is important if you want to maintain your deck’s beauty. Otherwise, it will fall into a state of disrepair, which really won’t do much to impress your neighbors and guests.
Deck pressure washing goes beyond improving your deck’s appearance, though. Believe it or not, it actually helps your deck last longer. That’s because dirty surfaces are more likely to become damaged over time. Don’t leave your deck defenseless against particles of debris that gradually erode it. Instead, aim to pressure wash your deck once per year. That way, it can look its best and last as long as possible.
DIY or Professional Deck Cleaning?
When you’ve decided that your deck needs to be cleaned, you’ll have a choice to make. Will you pressure wash the deck on your own, or will you schedule services from a professional company? The correct choice for you depends on how much time and money you have available. For example, if you are a busy individual, and you don’t have hours to spare for the deck pressure washing process, professional services are the way to go. By scheduling these services, a team of experts will do all the hard work for you.
However, if your budget is tight (or if you’d like to save as much money as possible), paying professionals to do the work might not be an appealing option for you. In this scenario, you may be better off learning how to pressure wash your deck on your own. In the sections below, we’ll review the deck cleaning process so you have a better idea of how it works.
What Tools Will I Need?
So, you want to learn how to pressure wash a deck. If you want to do this, you’re going to have to collect the necessary tools first. The most important piece of equipment for the project is a pressure washer. This piece of machinery connects to a water source, pressurizes the water, and expels it through a hose. This pressurized water is so powerful that it rinses debris off surfaces with ease. You can probably imagine how this would come in handy during your deck cleaning project.
What else will you need to successfully pressure wash your deck? A few more items will come in handy. Of course, you’ll need an attaching hose and nozzle (if you don’t already have them). You’ll definitely need safety equipment, which includes gloves, goggles, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes. And finally, we highly recommend that you use some sort of pressure washing detergent, in addition to sodium hypochlorite in the case of stubborn debris.
Preparing the Deck For Pressure Washing
Now that you have all the necessary tools to learn how to pressure wash a deck, what other preparations will you need to make? If your deck has furniture, grills, decorations, and other objects on it, you’ll need to remove them from the area. If you don’t, they’ll be in the way of your work, and they’ll also be at risk of being damaged by pressurized water. Simply find a safe location where your belongings can be temporarily stored and move them over.
We also suggest that you sweep your deck before pressure washing it. This is important because large particles of debris will be launched from place to place if you don’t. This could damage nearby structures, such as windows and car windshields. This is one of those scenarios where “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.
Pressure Washing the Deck
Now that you have all the correct equipment, it’s time to learn how to pressure wash a deck. The first thing you’ll need to do is select an appropriate amount of water pressure for the project. The correct setting depends on the material your deck is made out of. We have included a basic guide for your reference below.
- Composite: 500–1000 PSI
- Softwood: 1000–1500 PSI
- Hardwood: 1500–2000 PSI
- Metal: 2000–2500 PSI
After adjusting your pressure washer’s settings accordingly, choose a starting point (preferably one of the deck’s corners). Then, wash the structure row by row, overlapping each pass and ensuring every square inch is left spotless. If you come across tough debris, you can use cleaning solutions, such as sodium hypochlorite, to break it down. Simply apply your cleaning solution of choice to the stained area. Then, wait fifteen minutes before pressure washing the area again. Those tough stains should be gone in a flash.
Need Professional Services?
If learning how to pressure wash a deck isn’t your cup of tea, don’t worry. You can always schedule an appointment with California Pressure Washer. All you have to do is contact us online with information about your project. We will get back to you as soon as possible with a free cost estimate, and if you like our asking price, you can simply schedule an appointment then and there. We look forward to seeing you in the near future!
