Should you power wash your deck?

Should you power wash your deck?

Power washing a deck is a quick and efficient way to get it ready for painting or staining, but it isn’t a necessary prerequisite. In fact, in some situations, it isn’t even a good idea, because power washing can chip and gouge wood.

Is it OK to pressure wash a wood 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. Never get closer than 12 inches from the deck unless you’re using low pressure.

Do you need to sand a deck after power washing?

After a deep power washing, the wood fibers of the various components of the deck often raise as they expand with water. Once dry, these wood fibers can often remain raised and may cause splinters. For this reason, you should plan on sanding your wood deck after power washing and before staining and sealing.

Will a power washer remove stain from a deck?

Pressure washing is a quick way to remove a deck finish, but it requires some care so as not to damage the deck. A pressure setting of 1500 psi should be strong enough to clean away deck stain. Hold the sprayer about 3 inches off the surface and move the sprayer as you work in the same direction as the grain.

Can you clean a deck without a pressure washer?

Even if you don’t have a power washer, you can still use power washer soap for cleaning. Instead of loading the cleaner into the sprayer, you can apply it with a sponge or mop. Allow the deck cleaner to sit for 15 minutes. Lightly mist the entire deck with a garden hose to keep the wood wet.

What if it rains after I sand my 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.

How much does it cost to professionally powerwash a deck?

The average cost to power wash a deck ranges from $119 to $244 with most homeowners paying around $0.35 per square foot. To power wash, stain, and seal your deck, expect to spend between $0.50 and $1.50 per sq. ft. or $0.95 per sq.

Should you sand your deck before it rains?