A wooden deck is a great way to add outdoor living space to your home, but it does require maintenance. Whether you’ve had it painted or stained, your deck can look old and worn if it’s not taken care of regularly. The good news is you can safely bring new life back to your deck without damaging it. Here are some tips for power washing your deck.
- Sweep away any debris on the surface to prepare your deck for cleaning. This will help to lift stains, dirt, and mildew.
- Use the equipment correctly. Maximum gallons per minute, with minimal pressure, is the correct way to power wash wood. In terms of numbers, this means 2500 to 3000 psi at over four gallons per minute. If your power washer has that capability, you can safely clean your wooden deck.
- Use a cleaning solution designed for wooden surfaces. Test the solution in a corner of the deck before you clean the whole thing. Do not allow the cleaning solution to dry on the deck without rinsing it off.
- The technique is everything. When washing, always travel with the grain of the wood. To avoid damaging the wood, clean from afar. If the wood is splitting, you are too close. Overlap to clean gently, without harming the wood.
- Use a scrub brush to deal with stains or hard to reach areas.
- Hire a professional. If you don’t have the right equipment or you want to be sure to preserve the wood on your deck, call Outback Guttervac. Our professional power washing process is safer to use on wood than standard DIY power washing. Outback Guttervac uses the most advanced, eco-friendly technology and professional-grade cleaning solutions available, to help restore your deck.
