This is How to Pressure Wash a Deck the Right Way

Photo via Nicki Parrish @ Sweet Parrish Place

How to Know When Your Deck Needs Pressure Washed

While wielding the water-powered, modern-day form of Excalibur may seem like a lot of fun, it may not be needed. So how do you identify when your deck needs pressure washed or if it just needs a regular maintenance cleaning? You should use a pressure washer if:

• You have heavy grime or slippery slime on your deck. A pressure washer will remove it quickly and efficiently in place of the need to scrub for hours in an attempt to remove embedded dirt. 
• You have a lot of snow or rain where you live. These conditions contribute to mold, and a pressure washer can blast away microscopic spores before they grow to be damaging, wood-staining mold patches.
• You need to waterproof or stain your deck. Any time you prepare to apply a sealer (which should be every two to three years) or stain, you’ll need to have a clean surface for the best absorption. A pressure washer cleans consistently and deeply, preparing your wood surface for sealing and staining.

Pressure Washer Safety Tips

Pressure washers use a high-pressure stream of water to clean a surface, a task that can turn dangerous if mishandled. Follow these guidelines to use your pressure washer safely:

• Always read the instruction manual. Knowing how to hook the hoses up correctly, how to turn the appliance on and off, and how to release pressure can help you from getting seriously injured.
• Stay on solid ground the entire time you’re using a pressure washer. The blast of powerful water is enough to cause you to fall if you’re on an unstable surface like a ladder. If you need to reach an area high above your head, use an extension wand made for the model of pressure washer you’re using. 
• Do not leave the wand unattended while it’s on. You’ll quickly lose control of it, making injury a real possibility.
• Dress appropriately. Always wear safety goggles, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Keep exposed skin at a minimum.
• Never, ever point the wand at another person, a pet, or even plants. A pressure washer is a very powerful tool that can cause devastating damage when used irresponsibly.

How to Prep for Pressure Washing a Deck

Once you've determined that you'll be using a pressure washer to clean your deck and you've read up on how to use it safely, you'll need to prep the deck to get it ready for the washing. Use this simple checklist to get your deck and the surrounding area cleared and ready for cleaning:

• Remove all items from your deck and the area around it. You need to move all furniture, kids’ toys, grills, and container plants away from the high-pressure stream to avoid damaging them. You also want a completely clear area for your safety so you don't trip over obstacles as you move along the deck.
• Use a tarp to cover plants and shrubs that are in the ground next to the deck. A blast of water from a pressure washer can easily annihilate a section of your garden in seconds.
• Cover outdoor light fixtures or decorative items that can’t be moved.
• Close all windows and doors. When the water from the pressure washer hits the deck material, it causes a rebound spray that can travel into open windows and doors.
• Before pressure washing, sweep the deck thoroughly to remove debris, leaves, and loose dirt.
• Check for loose boards, nails that stick up above the decking, and splintered boards. Make repairs before you use the pressure washer on your deck.

Photo via Shutterstock

How to Pressure Wash a Deck

Now comes the fun part: Using the pressure washer to bring your tired, dirty deck back to life! Here’s how to do it.

Tools and Materials Needed:

• Pressure washer
• Rotating or fan tips (these usually come with the power washer)

Step 1: Choose the Pressure Setting

When setting the pressure on the pressure washer, starting at a lower pressure is best. If your deck is made of softer wood like pine or composite decking, the pressure should be set at 500 to 600 PSI ( pounds per square inch). PSI is the unit used for measuring the pressure that a power washer supplies for cleaning.

A PSI of 500-600 will clean the deck without etching it. You can go up to 1,200 PSI for hardwoods, but it’s best to try to get the results you want with less pressure to avoid risk of damage.

Step 2: Choose the Tip

For cleaning wood, a fan tip or rotating tip is recommended. When water comes out of the tip, it comes out in the shape of a fan. The fan size is the angle formed by the water coming out of the tip, measured in degrees. You should be using anywhere from a 40- to 60-degree tip on wood— a straight jet of water is zero degrees, which is comparable to using a laser engraver on your wood.

Step 3: Test the Settings

It’s always better to test your pressure washer settings in a small, inconspicuous area of your deck before getting started. If you accidentally set the pressure too high and etch the wood, it won’t be as difficult to replace, for instance, a part of a step versus entire sections of decking. Remember to start at a lower setting of 500-600 PSI.

Step 4: Pressure Wash the Deck

With the 40-60 degree tip attached, hold the pressure washer wand about a foot away from the deck's surface and engage the trigger.

Beginning in the area closest to the house, spray the pressure washer by using a sweeping motion parallel to the boards and overlap the spray with each stroke. Spray the entire length of each row of boards, one row at a time, following the grain of the wood. You don’t want to miss any spots or leave visible unwashed lines.

Let the deck dry for 48 hours before refinishing, staining, or sealing your deck.

Let us know your best deck cleaning and decorating ideas in the comments, we’d love to hear from you!