Power Washing Your Deck - Power Washing NJ

Power Washing Your Deck - Have you ever tried to power wash your deck on your own with a rented machine and harsh chemicals? Maybe you experienced peeling of the paint, or even indentations and other marks from the high pressure. There’s a wrong way and a right way to go about this process, and you need to research your options and approach beforehand in order to have a successful outcome.

Power washing a deck is best left to the professionals; however, we realize the DIY’ers out there have a desire to learn this technique for in-between washings. Whether you have a wood or composite deck, it’s necessary to do periodic cleanings in order to retain its beauty and prevent unsightly stains from becoming a permanent reality. Preventive maintenance is crucial if you want to save your deck from premature demise later on.

Here are some handy tips:

Sweep off the deck: It’s important to first get rid of any debris such as sand, dirt, leaves, sticks and cobwebs. This will just make your job that much easier later. Then, take a thin tool such as a putty knife and get any debris out that may have fallen in the cracks. Using a low setting on the power washer, spray away the debris in layers and repeat until clean.

Scrub the deck: Watering down the deck beforehand can help apply and spread the cleaning solution. In fact, you don’t want the solution to sit for too long, as it can damage the wood if allowed to dry. You’ll need to periodically spray or mist the area as needed.

Start cleaning: This part’s tricky. You don’t want to put it on high blast and just go at it. Rather, start with a lower setting and start at the house, going with the grain of the boards. Gently sweep the deck and overlap as you move along so no streaking occurs. Keep the nozzle several feet from the ground so you don’t gouge or otherwise damage the decking surface. It will take you a bit longer to do it this way but it’s well worth the effort. With the “feathering” technique, it won’t be obvious where you stopped and started, ensuring you’re overlapping the areas you’ve previously swept. Working along the grain, begin spraying at the point where you ended on the previous stroke. This will help to remove as much as the solution as possible so you’re left with minimal or no streaking.

Clean all decking components: Once you’ve pressure washed the deck itself, don’t forget to clean the railings, posts and stairs.

Let the deck dry for 24 hours after cleaning: Once the deck is completely dry, you will be better able to see lap marks, raised fibers, and other imperfections. You want to end up with a consistent finish. Once you are satisfied with the result and the deck is dry, then you can apply a stain or paint.

If you just can’t seem to master the technique, call Clearview Washing. Our professionals have been doing this for many years and know just the right approach to get your deck looking brand new.

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