A pressure washer can clean a wood deck much faster than you can scrub it by hand. That is a terrific advantage. However, a pressure washer will frequently destroy the surface of the wood. The stream of water can be powerful enough to erode the light-colored spring wood fibers.
Beware Pressure Washing Damage
If you have timber deck boards, a power washer's pressure may cause splintering and damage to the timber fibres. If the timber surface already has some splintering, pressure washing will only exacerbate the issue.
Using a scrub brush is a low-cost option that is suitable for small decks and does not require any special equipment or training. Using a power washer is a quicker and more efficient method that is suitable for large decks or tough stains, but requires some knowledge and experience.
As you pressure wash, keep the nozzle at least 12 to 18 inches away from the surface, and spray the water in even strokes in the same direction as the wood grain, Amabile says. Go back over the area to avoid patchy spots, but don't move the sprayer back and forth or in a zigzag pattern.
Time of Year. It is recommended that you power wash your deck as early as possible in the spring. As the weather warms up and you are thinking about getting those barbecues grilling, you will want to have a clean, pleasant deck to enjoy.
Once you pressure wash your deck, it'll look like new timber again but it won't stay that way for long. If you like the grey look, then you could pressure wash to remove the grime then let it grey off again. It is best to seal it if you want it to last longer but you won't get that grey look.
The short answer is 48 hours. You should wait at least two days after pressure washing your deck before you consider staining it, to give time for it to dry. Now let's talk about specifics. Cleaning your deck is an all-important first step in the staining process.
After you've pressure washed your deck, you'll need to wait for it to completely dry. Sometimes, this can take as long as 48-hours. Once it's dry, you'll want to sand your deck lightly. This is necessary to remove any splinters or fuzzy patches that pressure washing can cause.
Spray the deck lightly with a mixture of oxalic acid and water to brighten the wood. With a 25- or 30-degree tip in the wand of the pressure washer and a psi of 1,000 to 1,200, apply the stripper to the deck, starting with the top rails and working down the balusters (Photo 1).
A pressure washer is a straightforward machine that can clean very well with only water. However, it can ruin your deck if it's not used properly. This is a tool that is powerful enough to etch brick, but in the right hands, it can be gentle enough to wash siding.
We recommend power washing your deck during the spring when you have mild weather and can clear away the build-up from the nasty winter weather. If you missed the window this year, you can power wash your deck during the fall to get ahead of cold-weather grime.
They include: Warm water can be used on its own to wash a wood or composite deck. Liquid dish soap (ammonia-free) is safe for use on cleaning your deck when mixed with a little warm water.
Instead, a broom with strong bristles, a hand brush or a standard sponge, some warm water and soap are usually more than enough to effectively remove dirt from the wooden decking.
As a basic cleaning solution, vinegar works fairly effectively. It removes three of the main adversaries of decking — mildew, mold, and dirt. The cons? Since the concentration and formula of vinegar isn't designed with for wood or deck cleaning, it may take a few attempts before you achieve the desired result.
Pressure washing removes the outer layer of dead wood, and can sometimes make it look like it has short fuzzy hairs. This is caused by the tearing of the wood fibers. This is normal, and does not indicate damage. These fuzzies will generally go away in 2 or 3 weeks.
When cleaning a cedar deck with just about any sort of cleaner, it's possible to end up with a white film often called "wood fuzzies" or furring. Furring can occur any time cedar is cleaned but is most seen in two scenarios: in new cedar or with heavily oxidized wood.
If you're wondering whether pressure washing can damage wood, the short answer is yes, but only if you're not careful. That's why it's best to leave it to the professionals to pressure wash wood surfaces for you. Read this guide to learn more about pressure washing wood.
When the deck is dry (36-48 hours after washing, depending upon humidity and weather conditions), it's time to sand the surface. You can use a pole sander with 80-grit sandpaper to remove all the loose wood fibers that were lifted by the pressure washing.
There is a common misconception that just pressure washing a deck prior to staining is all you need to do in order to prep your deck for stain. Pressure washing can help, but if you want your stain to last, using a good deck cleaner and brightener on the deck prior to pressure washing will provide you the best result.
Can I use a pressure washer on my pressure-treated wood deck? We recommend that the use of a pressure washer be limited to only the highly-experienced and/or professionals. Improper use can damage the wood surface and fibers.
So although a deck would benefit from a deck sealer by repelling moisture, it will still turn gray and become sun-damaged. A deck stain has the same water-resistant qualities that a deck sealer does. A deck stain, however, has added pigment or tone, which gives the stain some color.