Should wood decks be power washed?
Ideally, power washing a wood deck will not ruin the wood and etch or erode the softwood fibers. However, when wood gets wet, the fibers may become raised, creating a rough surface. This is a particular problem on handrails, where the raised fibers can lead to splinters. Make sure the wood is dry before sanding.Oct 11, 2021
Should you power wash your deck every year?
Most home maintenance contractors recommend power washing your deck once a year. An annual wash will keep your deck in optimal condition, cutting down on accumulation of dirt, mildew, or algae growth.
How do you pressure wash a deck without damaging it?
0:452:08How to Properly Pressure Wash a Deck (2018) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipKeep a distance of 8 to 12 inches from the surface. And spray with the grain of the wood to avoidMoreKeep a distance of 8 to 12 inches from the surface. And spray with the grain of the wood to avoid damage to the surface of the deck. Be consistent this consistency will prevent lap marks.
Is it better to sand or power wash a deck?
DO sand your deck before sealing. At that point, lightly sand the surface to remove splintery or fuzzy patches caused by pressure-washing the deck. A pole sander with 80-grit sandpaper will suffice; a power sander is overkill. Then seal the deck to protect from cracking, cupping, and warping.Apr 13, 2021
Is 1800 psi enough to clean deck?
For cleaning a wooden deck, you'll be best served by using the lowest pressure setting that's still effective. For soft woods like cedar or pine, this is usually about 500 to 600 psi. For harder woods, it can go up to 1200 to 1500 psi.
Do I have to seal my deck after power washing?
It all depends on the condition of your deck and the reason why you're pressure cleaning it. If your deck is in a great condition and you're simply pressure washing it to remove dirt, dust or mold build up then there's no need to seal your deck after pressure washing.Sep 4, 2020
What to do after you power wash your deck?
After you've power-washed the entire deck, rinse all of the wood with plain water to dilute and neutralize the stripper. If there's still debris trapped between deck boards, such as leaves or twigs, remove it now (Photo 3).Mar 11, 2022
Can you pressure wash a deck without removing stain?
Set your power washer at a low to medium setting when cleaning a deck to make sure you do not damage your wood. One of the most important things to remember is that if you use the high pressure setting for the power washer you may damage your wood and leave marks that cannot be covered up by a wood stain.
Should you pressure wash wood?
A pressure wash pulls stain right off wood surfaces. If stripping stain from your deck is the task you are trying to accomplish, then blast away! But if you intend to keep stain on wood, don't use a pressure washer to clean it.Dec 3, 2021
How long do you have to wait to stain a deck after power washing?
48 hoursAfter a deck has been power washed it will have some retained moisture within the wood. It's important to let the wood dry thoroughly so none of the water that soaked into the wood gets trapped under the stain. In perfect drying conditions, 48 hours is enough for the wood to get to where it needs to be before staining.Sep 2, 2016
How do you restore a weathered deck?
Remove any damaged deck boards and cut off the rotted portion—all the way back to the centerline of the nearest joist. Use deck screws to reattach the good end, then cut a piece of like decking to fill the gap, and screw it to the joists. Check the handrails and balusters, then replace any damaged sections.
What happens if it rains on a freshly sanded deck?
It's important that you make sure there is no chance of rain when you begin to sand. If the wood gets wet after it's been sanded, but not before you've had the chance to stain or paint it, you'll be back to square one — you'll need to wash and sand it all over again.Jun 13, 2017
Why is my deck vulnerable to power washing?
Wood decks are especially vulnerable to power washing, because the pressure exerted by the power washer can lead to splintering. If there is any area on the deck where the wood is already beginning to split apart, power washing it will exacerbate the problem and cause the split area to expand.
Can you use a power washer on composite decking?
It’s also a bad idea to use a power washer on a composite deck because the power washer can actually take chips out of the composite material.
Why is my deck stain failing?
The number one reason we find that a deck stain started failing prematurely is that it was never prepped correctly. 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, ...
What is the purpose of brightener?
The job of a brightener is to help restore the wood pH levels and open up the grain. The wood grains in an older deck or wood fence dry out and change over the years and a brightener will help to open those grains back up. Utilizing a brightener will really help the new stain soak in and bond with the grain.
Can you stain a deck?
The short answer to this question is – Yes. But that is not all you should do if you want your deck stain to last. Too often we receive estimate requests from a customer whose decks were stained less than 2 years ago. The number one reason we find that a deck stain started failing prematurely is that it was never prepped correctly.
Do you need a deck stripper?
When to use a Deck Stripper. In every case, utilizing a deck stain stripper is also required in the event you’re re-staining your deck – just pressure washing will not get the job done. Most deck stains will not adhere properly and penetrate the wood if the old stain is not removed.
Can you clean a deck before staining?
Failing to clean your deck prior to any staining will only result in spending more time and money sooner than you anticipated. Following proper recommendations for cleaning and restoring your deck with quality cleaners, strippers, brighteners and pressure washing will result in a beautiful deck staining finish that will last.
Can you pressure wash a deck?
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. A good deck cleaner can remove the gray fibers, dirt, mold, mildew and other impurities deep in the wood. Also Read: 11 Common Deck Staining Questions.
How To Use A Power Washer On A New Trex Deck
Before we get too far into the article I recommend you contact Trex or your Trex dealer before power washing your deck to make sure it’s safe on your particular decking. Trex is always coming out with new product lines and may make adjustments to older ones. When in doubt stay on the safe side and double check.
When Not To Use A Pressure Washer On Trex
Unfortunately, not all generations of Trex are safe to power wash. It’s very important to determine what generation of Trex you’re working with before using a pressure washer on your deck. Older Trex models can be damage by even low amounts of pressure.
Can You Power Wash An Old Trex Deck?
Trex does not recommend power washing older generations of Trex and states it would void the warranty. And I don’t recommend it either. But can you do it?
Is Trex Easy To Clean?
There are lots of advantages to installing Trex decking instead of traditional wood. Trex is resistant to insects, rot, flaking, staining, and is made from 95% recycled materials. It’s a fantastic product that’s covered by a good warranty. And it’s easy to keep clean, especially when compared to wood.
The Bottom Line
Can you use a power washer on a Trex deck? Yes, if you have a newer generation Trex decking. And no,if you have an older generation. So make sure the first thing you do is determine what type of Trex you’ve got. But should you use a power washer?
Summary: Should You Power Wash Trex Decking?
Trex is by far the most popular brand of composite decking we install. In fact, the name has become synonymous with all types of composite decking. When we’re called to build a new composite deck what the client generally asks for is a Trex deck. It’s a fantastic manufacturer with a good warranty and a wide range of great products.
How long does it take for a deck to dry before staining?
Then your deck will be ready for stain or paint. You’ll need to let the deck dry out completely before staining or painting it. Depending on humidity and area where you live, this can take a couple of days to a little longer. My next article will talk about staining our deck and how we did it. Update.
Can you power wash a deck?
Power washing a deck is instant gratification but if you’re not careful, you can damage your deck and cause more headache in the long run which is why I tried to clean my deck without power washing first.
Do you need to seal a deck?
You need to stain and or seal your deck regularly to keep it in good condition. Before you can do that though you need to make sure your deck is clean so the stain or sealer will adhere to the deck boards. I built my deck Fall/Winter of 2017 with pressure treated deck boards.
How much does it cost to pressure wash a deck?
You can clean a deck of about 500 sq.ft. with pressure washing, in about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. This will probably cost between $35 to $70 a day if you choose to rent a power washer. Required water for a regular pressure washer per minute will probably be less than 2 gallons a minute.
What is stain on a deck?
Stain is a coating that both protects the wood and brings out the woods dramatic natural colors and textures. Your deck honestly faces a lot of stress, whether from the blazing sun to the beating rain to freezing drops in temperature.
What are the advantages of pressure washing?
Advantages of Pressure Washers 1 It saves you valuable time. Manual washing and scrubbing is the pits. 2 Pressure washing improves curb appeal. 3 The operating procedure is easy and human-friendly. 4 Easily clean the tough grim, dirt, grease from any kinds of outwards or external appearance. 5 Requires less water and solvents than manual washing, so it is an environment-friendly process. 6 Takes very little space to store it after washing. 7 Protects your home from harmful fungi, algae, bacteria etc.
Is it necessary to wash a deck?
It’s a neat and clean environment may refresh your mind. To maintain it, regular washing is necessary.
Why use pressure treated wood for deck?
Many people choose to use pressure-treated wood for their deck as it is more resistant to insects and rotting. It is also more suitable for use in environments where it will be exposed to moisture. This is due to the inclusion of chemicals in the wood, which have the potential to seep out. This is a debated issue.
Can a pressure washer damage a deck?
And typically they do better work than a chemical based solution (better for mother nature too). But if you fail to use your power washer properly then it just might damage your deck. It has both the capacity to carve and to clean.
What does PSI mean on a pressure washer?
PSI stands for pressure per square inch and is essentially a measure of the strength of the water jets emitted by the pressure washer. Different material types will be able to withstand varying pressures, so you should check with the manufacturer of your deck for their recommended PSI setting.
What happens when you mix bleach with water?
When you mix this type of oxygen bleach with water to make a deck-cleaning solution, all you create is more water, oxygen and soda ash. The oxygen bubbles in the solution do most of the work done by the pressure washer. The solution soaks into the dry wood, and the oxygen ions deep clean the wood by breaking apart dirt, algae and mildew molecules.
What is the active ingredient in chlorine bleach?
The active ingredient in chlorine bleach is sodium hypochlorite. Check the label of many bleaches or deck cleaners, and you might see this chemical name. Oxygen bleach is a powerful cleaner that is just about as green as you can be. It is commonly available as a powder. The chemical makeup of the purest oxygen bleach is simply hydrogen peroxide ...
Can you use a green cleaner on a deck?
The con of using a green cleaner is time and elbow grease. You will have to do some additional mechanical agitation using a scrub brush on a pole to get your deck squeaky clean. However, you will be pleased to discover the wood will not be fuzzy, and there will be hardly any erosion of the soft spring wood.
Can a pressure washer clean a deck?
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. Those that are not eroded can be dislodged, ...
Can You Power Wash a Cedar Deck?
Before you do any home improvements or maintenance, you should do some research first. Making the wrong moves can end up be damaging and costly. Power washing is one specific type of maintenance that should be researched, as power washing can be hard on some materials.
Can a Cedar Deck Be Power Washed?
Yes, a cedar deck can be power washed. This can be a great way to get a deck clean. Power washers can cover a large area in little time.
What Supplies Should Be Used With the Power Washer?
A power washer only does half the job. According to Consumer Reports, you should also use a deck cleaner. These solutions help to loosen up caked on dirt and grime.
What Precautions Should Be Taken When Power Washing a Cedar Deck?
When you power wash a cedar deck, you should use low pressure. It’s best to start at a low power setting and work up as needed. Start with one of the lower power settings. Gradually increase the power as needed. Watch for signs of damage, such as etching in the wood.
What Damage Can Pressure Washing Do to a Cedar Deck?
It’s important to be cautious when power washing your cedar deck. Power washers can be very harsh on surfaces. One of the main issues with power washing is that the pressure is set too high. According to The Spruce, these high pressures can damage or etch the wood.
What Other Maintenance Should Be Done to a Cedar Deck?
If you regularly care for a cedar deck, it will last a long time. This bit of effort every year will make a difference. If you don’t maintain your deck, you will have to pay for repairs or even replacement.
Conclusion
You can power wash your cedar deck to get it back into great shape again. If you care for your deck, it will last for years. Regular dirt buildup is normal, but it should be removed. Be sure to maintain your deck throughout the year. This will make it easier to power wash. It will also help with the longevity of your deck.
