There’s nothing quite like ending your day with a cold drink, relaxing in a chair on your deck. A deck gives you a fantastic place to enjoy the outside world and unwind for a while. However, while owning a deck may seem like a privilege at first, it is also a responsibility. It’s your job to keep your deck in clean, well-maintained condition; otherwise, it will stop being a relaxing place and start being a stressful one. Learning how to power wash a deck is the solution to your problem, but it goes without saying that this is easier said than done.
Discover how to power wash a deck with Chicagoland Pressure Washing, the #1 choice for power washing in Chicago. If you ever decide you want to skip this work, you can just give us a phone call. It will be our pleasure to revitalize your deck so you don’t have to.
Why Deck Power Washing Is Important
Before learning how to power wash a deck, you might wonder why it’s worth the effort. Couldn’t you just ignore your deck and spend your time and energy on other things? Never power washing your deck will eventually result in serious consequences. As the years go by, your deck will collect a huge amount of debris (including dirt, algae, moss, dead insects, bird droppings, and more). Eventually, your deck will be so noticeably dirty that it will frustrate you every time you notice it. Deck power washing restores your deck’s beauty and gives you one less thing to worry about.
Deck power washing also helps your deck last longer. If your deck is allowed to gather debris endlessly, it will eventually compromise its structure. This is because particles of debris grind against your deck and gradually erode it. We highly recommend that you power wash your deck to remove harmful debris. That way, you can avoid costly repairs.
How Often Should My Deck Be Power Washed?
Obviously, you don’t want to neglect your deck. So, how often should it be power washed? As a general recommendation, we suggest annual deck cleaning. This is typically enough to eliminate debris, protect your deck from damage, and keep it in good-looking condition.
If you own a commercial property with a deck, you may even want to have it power washed semiannually or quarterly. That way, it stays as stunning as possible, helping you delight your customers and generate revenue.
What Tools Do I Need For Deck Power Washing?
So, you’ve decided you want to learn how to power wash a deck. If so, you will need to purchase the correct equipment for the work. We’ve included a bulleted list of the necessary items below:
- Pressure Washer. A pressure washer is a machine that pressurizes water, transforming it into a powerful cleaning force. You can’t power wash without a pressure washer!
- Hose and Nozzle. A connecting hose and nozzle are necessary for aiming and spraying pressurized water at your deck’s surfaces.
- Cleaning Solutions. A simple detergent goes a long way towards loosening up and removing unwanted debris. You can also use sodium hypochlorite to bust tough grime.
- Protective Gear. Always protect yourself when handling pressurized water. Wear eye protection, gloves, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes.
Preparing Your Deck For Power Washing
Before learning how to power wash a deck, you have to prepare the area. First things first, you’ll want to remove any furniture, decorations, grills, etc. from the deck. Why? Because if you don’t, these objects will get in the way of your work. Not only that, but you could accidentally damage these belongings with pressurized water, which you obviously don’t want.
We also recommend sweeping your deck before pressure washing it. If you don’t, you might accidentally launch large pieces of debris everywhere. The last thing you want is for a pebble to become lodged in one of your windows. So, invest a few minutes into sweeping your deck! It could save you from a costly repair bill.
The Deck Power Washing Process
Now that you’ve completed all the necessary preparations, it’s time to actually learn how to power wash a deck. The first thing you’ll want to do is select an appropriate amount of water pressure for the job. This varies based on the material your deck is made out of. We’ve included a helpful guide for your reference below:
- Composite: 500–1000 PSI
- Softwood: 1000–1500 PSI
- Hardwood: 1500–2000 PSI
- Metal: 2000–2500 PSI
Next, pick a starting point. (We highly recommend choosing one of the deck’s corners.) Then, thoroughly power wash the surface in a row-by-row pattern. By overlapping these rows, you’ll make sure that no small areas go unwashed. Keep up this pattern, and it won’t be long before your deck has been completely revitalized!
Using Cleaning Solutions to Defeat Stubborn Grime
Sometimes, you’ll find incredibly stubborn debris that doesn’t wash away easily. When this happens, you may want to use sodium hypochlorite, a specialized cleaning solution, to break down this grime. To use sodium hypochlorite, simply apply a thin layer of it to the area with stubborn debris. Then, wait fifteen minutes for it to break down grime before finally power washing the area again. Debris that was once too tough to remove should rinse away with ease.
We swear by sodium hypochlorite at Chicagoland Pressure Washing because it’s safe for surfaces, properties, and the environment, too!
Consider Professional Deck Cleaning
If your deck needs to be power washed but you don’t want to do the work on your own, don’t worry. There’s an alternative. By scheduling a professional appointment with Chicagoland Pressure Washing, you won’t have to learn how to power wash a deck. Instead, you can sit back and relax while our team of experts handles this task for you!
To get started with Chicagoland Pressure Washing, contact us online and let us know about your deck today. We will provide you with a free cost estimate based on your deck’s size. If you like our asking price, simply choose a time and date for your appointment, and we will be there to serve you soon!
