There is no surface better looking when clean than wood…

Just bank check out the difference betwixt clean and muddied in that picture show. The muddied side hadn't been cleaned in half dozen years.

Reddit.com user motown89 took the pic while pressure cleaning a wooden deck (in flip flops!). Information technology's the back deck at his parents newly purchased dwelling. I wonder how much more than they would accept payed if the deck looked similar the make clean side?

Are you getting ready to sell your home and want to add extra value?

Is summer fast approaching. The tantalizing olfactory property of charcoal-broil on your mind, but your back deck looks terrible and uninviting?

Well, you're in the right identify. Permit's check out the 6 steps to force per unit area washing your wood deck without dissentious information technology.

This article is mainly covering the DIY treatment of wood decks and not composite decking. Power washing a composite deck involves cleaning without the demand for a sealer.

How to pressure clean your wood deck

Here's an In-depth Instruction Video By Lowe's:

Hither's a Summary of The Video:

  • A wood deck is an investment for homeowners. It adds value to your home past increasing living space
  • Protect that investment past cleaning a dirty deck occasionally and re-treating information technology every ii-3 years. This volition not only make it look ameliorate only too extend its life by many years
  • Decks not cared for will look weathered and have stains from barbecue grease, grime, and mildew
  • Forbid these stains and weathering with a good handling
  • So how practise you know if it'south fourth dimension to pressure clean and treat? Check with water beading. Drip some plain water from a garden hose onto the deck, and if it soaks into the wood fibers information technology'southward time. If information technology beads forming droplets on the surface information technology is fine for now
  • What treatment or stain should you utilise?
  • Well, it's upwardly to y'all every bit at that place are four types of stain:
    • Clear/natural transparent type
    • Toner (brings out the wait of the grain)
    • Semi transparent (mostly masks grain)
    • Solid (covers information technology completely)
      • UV protection is greatest with solid and to the lowest degree with clear/transparent.

The type of stain to use depends on the grain of the woods on your deck. Are y'all trying to showcase a beautiful deck or hide imperfections?

Now y'all tin can commencement the procedure, there'southward three basic steps involved: Surface preparation, pressure level cleaning and then staining. Here'south the details:

  • The wood needs to be clean and dry out before applying stain
  • Fix the wood past using 80-grit sandpaper over the deck surface
  • Broom away all the dust and make sure the entire deck is clear
  • At present apply your force per unit area cleaner with the depression pressure twoscore-degree nozzle to employ a mist to moisture the woods surface before applying the wood stripper. Utilize forest stripper and forest brightener in 2 split steps to assist the pressure washing
  • Utilise products specific to blazon of wood your deck is
  • And so go the surface all moisture and so utilise stripper and let sit for 15 minutes without letting it dry
  • Rinse with force per unit area washer on light spray
  • Now'southward fourth dimension for the brightener and over again, permit sit down for 15 minutes without letting dry out
  • Y'all can utilise a brush to deal with stubborn spots
  • Subsequently xv minutes you tin can now use the pressure cleaner with the 25-degree nozzle to requite the deck a final wash. Removing all the stains and the remaining brightener detergent in an even sweeping motion. On the vertical railing etc. rinse bottom up.
  • Near time for staining…
  • Cover off your business firm with plastic, encompass off anything y'all don't want to get stain on
  • Apply stain with pigment roller with 2 sparse coats over the surface use a paintbrush for the tight spots
  • That's it… Let it dry out for 24 hours and so have a celebratory party.

Do non care for the deck with Chlorine Bleach. Information technology will strip the deck of its natural colors.

What Are the Best Pressure Washers for a Deck?

Here we'll tell you the all-time electrical and best gas power washer to get to pressure level wash your deck.

Electric

Accept a look at the AR Blue Clean machines.

Here's why:

AR Blue Clean AR390SS westward/ two,000 PSI

AR Blue Clean AR390SS Electric ressure Washer

AR stands for Annovi Reverberi, which is an Italian pump maker with over 50 years experience making pumps for all types of stop users.

The visitor likewise owns the electric motor maker, Ravel.

AR Bluish Clean is their Northward American pressure washer brand.

So you accept a company that specializes in electrical motors and pumps making an electric pressure washer…

…Sounds similar a great combo to me.

And many concord.

AR Blue Clean's pressure washer line is the most popular on Amazon and is highly reviewed. I own two of them and observe myself using them more my gas pressure washers.

Check it out on Amazon here

Gas

Simpson Megashot w/ 3,200 PSI

Best Gas Pressure Washer Simpson MSH3125-S 3100 PSI

The Simpson Megashot with the right nozzle will be the best value gas car for force per unit area washing your deck.

It is high power compared to other brands in the price range and comes with a high quality hose to aid avoid kinking and the hassle they bring.

Sporting a Honda modest engine y'all can remainder e knowing next time you need to use it information technology will start kickoff try and exist reliable and durable for a long long time.

See full specs on Amazon here

3 Examples of Real World Wood Deck Pressure level Washing Results

Take a look at this i.

The before image of the wood deck makes it look like it should be torn downwards and replaced. With a little pressure washing the deck looks brand new.

Wood deck pressure washing results 1

In this next one you run across a half complete wood deck cleaning chore. You lot can come across how the newly washed deck boards look fresh and youthful, whereas the dirty side looks green and unhealthy.

Pressure washing wood decks results 2

In this next one the wood deck is power done after 15 years of never being cleaned. On the right you tin can see the clean deck looks like it was installed yesterday.

Pressure washing wood decks result 3

Grab yourself a pressure washer and wash a deck to restore it to glory. Information technology'south dandy fun.

Sources

  1. Lowe's Dwelling house Improvement has a deck projects folio that explains in summary how to clean your deck with a pressure washer. At that place'southward some decent info that was used when researching this commodity.
  2. Decks.com advice on pressure washing your deck is more in-depth and includes specific details on force per unit area and risks of damaging wood.

Jamey is the founder of pressurewashr.com and has led testing and reviewing since 2013. He has also worked every bit a commercial pressure washer at a rendering plant for three years and has been using commercial and residential pressure level washers for 15+ years. He is also a mechanical engineer and while working in the mining manufacture designed several plow-key light industrial vehicle wash pads.