How to Power Wash Your Deck – A big part of your exterior maintenance is deck cleaning. Is yours looking grungy, dirty and old? It’s time for a good power washing. If you’d like to try your hand at it, we can give you some pointers. Do your research, though, as you don’t want to end up with deep gouges, peeling paint, marks and indentations from the high-pressure stream of your rented power washing machine. In order to have the most successful outcome, you have to take it slow.
From wood to composite decks, periodic cleanings are imperative to retaining the beauty of your deck and preventing unsightly stains from occurring. Of course, you should leave power washing to the professionals because we have the equipment, chemicals and know-how to do the job right. However, to satisfy the DIY in you, here are some tips.
Clean off the debris: Using a simple broom, sweep off the sand, dirt, leaves, sticks and cobwebs that may have accumulated on your deck. Using a thin tool like a putty knife, scoop out any debris that may be stuck between the boards. Switch the power washing machine to low and rinse away the debris in layers. Repeat until clean.
Rinse down the deck: Watering down the deck before you start the solution application and periodically throughout the cleaning process will help spread the cleaning solution. This keeps the chemicals from sitting too long on your deck, which can cause damage to the wood. Spray or mist the area regularly.
Power Washing – This part takes precision…
Clean the deck: Don’t just assume you can switch the machine to high and have a field day. This part takes precision. Start off on a low setting and start at the house side, moving outward with the grain of the boards. Keeping the nozzle at least a couple feet from the ground, gently sweep the deck and overlap as you move along. You don’t want to get too close to the surface with the nozzle or gouges and marks may happen. The “feathering” back and forth technique ensures you overlaps the areas you’ve previously swept so no stop and start marks will be evident. Begin spraying at the point where you ended on the previous stroke, which also aims to get off as much as the solution as possible so no streaking occurs.
Clean other elements: Once the floor boards have been done, don’t forget to pressure wash all the associated components, such as railings, posts and stairs.
Let the deck dry: Before staining or painting your newly cleaned deck, wait for it to dry for at least 24 hours. Once it’s dry, lap marks, raised fibers, and other imperfections will become evident. You should be looking for a smooth, consistent finish.
If you don’t like the results you see or you don’t have the tools or patience to attempt the job, give Clearview Washing a call. We’ve been in the business since 2004 and have all the equipment and experience needed to do a superior job. Let us help you boost your property value today!
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