Pressure Washing Guide

Midwestpro · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 12:02 am Post subject: Power Wash a Deck

There is a misconception that the reason people use a power washer to clean wooden decks is to blast off dirt, debris, gray wood fibers, and possibly an old failing sealer using high water pressure. Experienced wood restoration contractors know this is a good way to ruin a wood deck by ripping and shredding it to pieces. Too much water pressure will mark up and fur the wood bad enough that it will even show through a fresh coat of deck sealer.

It takes knowledge, experience, the right cleaners, and equipment to do a complete wood restoration properly. A professional will rely on contractor grade cleaners and strippers to do most of the work so the wood can be washed at a much lower pressure as to not cause damage to the wood, resulting in quality finished product.

TedO · Joined: 25 Oct 2007 Posts: 4 Location: MI

I will admit that I attempted to pressure wash the stair case on our deck. It looked good, but after drying I noticed the wood was furred up pretty badly and still had some sealer on it. I sanded a few of the steps and left it at that. It was a bit more work than I had anticipated.

Rusty · Joined: 30 Mar 2009 Posts: 3

We plan to re-stain our deck, and I thought about what would be the best way to clean it. So pressure washing is not always good? Would it be okay to use moderate pressure?

Midwestpro · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:46 pm Post subject:

I don't recommend anymore than 800 to 1000psi on wood decks. In most cases we will use even less pressure. More pressure can fur and splinter the wood. And beside, even using 3000psi will not remove all the dirt and especially won't remove all the old sealer if there is any. Low pressure and the right chemicals are the key to deck restoration.

Mrclean63 · Joined: 17 Jun 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Raleigh NC.

I think 99% of cleaning a deck properly has to be using the right chemicals and letting the chemical or chemicals do most of the work. Cool

Midwestpro · Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:51 pm Post subject:

Without a doubt I would have to agree with you.