Look for a washer with a pressure rating between 1500-2000 PSI. Anything higher will be too powerful for a fence and could lead to irreparable damage to the wood.
For wooden fences, don't go any lower than a 25 degree tip or you risk cutting marks into your fence. A 40 degree tip is safer. Don't use pressure higher than 1800 PSI on a wood fence, as it could splinter or even split the wood. While it's safe to use a higher pressure on a vinyl fence, it's seldom necessary.
It's best to start at a lower setting and adjust accordingly to your personal need. Usually, 500-800 PSI is an acceptable range to start with. If you have more dirt to remove, 2000-3000 PSI is sufficient, as long as you stand further away from the fence to avoid damage.
Can I clean a wood fence with a pressure washer? Yes, but there are things you should do to make sure you don't damage your fence. Tip 1: Address any very dirty areas with a wire brush first to remove heavily stuck debris. Tip 2: Cover plants with a plastic sheet to keep from damaging them.
After pressure washing your fence, let it dry for at least 48 hours. You want to allow enough time for all of the absorbed water to evaporate from the wood so it doesn't get sealed in. Once your fence is fully dry, it's important to paint or seal it so that it doesn't become damaged by the sun and wind.
MEDIUM-DUTY pressure washers in the 1,800 to 2,000 PSI range can tackle bigger projects like large SUV's, RV's, siding and fencing, decks, garage floors and driveways.
This is totally normal and only cosmetic, it doesn't affect how long a stain or sealer will last and doesn't do any damage to the wood itself. Of course this doesn't always happen and there are ways to prevent this from happening as well as fix it if the cosmetic appearance of the “Fuzzies” bothers you.
2,000 - 2,900 PSI: This is a moderate strength unit used heavier residential tasks. These units are commonly sold as either electric or gas pressure washers. 3,000 - 6,900 PSI: These high pressure models are what professional pressure washers and contractors usually use.
Power Washing
If you power wash the fence, be sure to use a soft method that will limit or eliminate the chance of damaging the wood fiber. This means keeping the pressure to around 1500 to 2000 psi.
It's recommended if your fence isn't too dirty or hurt. But if the fence has any serious problems, such as mold, in-ground soil, power washing would be the most powerful option of choice.
Pressure washing is a quick way to clean an old fence and is ideal for both vinyl- and wooden fences. When it comes to staining a wood fence, pressure washing is the first step in preparing the wood. Before cleaning, give your fence a thorough once over.
The main difference is that power washing uses highly pressurized steam to do the cleaning while pressure washing just uses unheated tap water, without the help of a heating element.
Wood fences that aren't carefully maintained will show their age, but they can be restored using a pressure washer. We recommend using a soft washing cleaning process to safely clean the wood fence to avoid wood fiber damage. As always, it is advised to use material appropriate tips to avoid damaging your fence.
Simple Green Oxy Solve Deck and Fence Pressure Washer Cleaner. A 1-gallon jug of this cleaner from Simple Green can effectively clean up to 6,400 square feet of decking, giving you plenty of bang for your buck. It's biodegradable, so you won't have to worry about harsh chemicals leaking into your lawn.
Spray Off the Cleaner
After you've sprayed off the cleaner, let the deck or fence dry for 48 hours before applying a stain or sealer. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for relieving water pressure, removing liquid from the pump and storing your equipment properly.
PSI Pressure range for Different Surfaces
Different surfaces require different levels of PSI pressure. Generally, for most residential uses, an electric pressure washer (less than 2000 PSI) will suffice. Soft surfaces, such as decks and siding, usually require more cleaning power than harder surfaces such as driveways.
Medium Duty 2000-2800 PSI
This classification ranges from as low as 2,000 PSI to as high as 2,800 PSI. You can use a medium-duty pressure washer for almost any surface. They're great for cleaning concrete, brick, and wood.
1000-2000 PSI
Good for light cleaning jobs or for jobs where the surface to be cleaned is soft and easily damaged. This pressure range is good for cleaning decks and siding and for light-duty auto cleaning.
The layers of dirt, grime, algae, and other surface contaminants can prevent the wood from absorbing the stain. This means any top coat you apply on your fence can peel away quickly due to poor adhesion. If you want your stain to last longer, cleaning your fence before applying any stain is best.
David urges caution: 'bleach is a powerful cleaning agent that will make the algae easier to scrub, but it can also damage some of your fence. ' So, rather than covering your entire fence with the bleach, 'soak the affected area with a solution of one to two teaspoons of bleach in a gallon of water.
Apply Pressure
The first step to pressure washing a fence is to lather it with detergent, especially over troublesome areas like patches of lichen, moss, or droppings. With both detergent and pressurized water, work in sections along the fence, working from the bottom up to avoid streaks.
Power washing your deck, patio, fence, siding, or any other outdoor structure can brighten it up and make it look new again. And while it may be tempting to apply a new coat of stain immediately after pressure washing, most experts recommend waiting at least 48 hours before applying any new products.