How to Pressure Wash a Deck
How to Pressure Wash a Deck Has your property’s deck fallen into a state of disrepair? As nice as it is to have a deck at your Daytona Beach home or business, it’s not so nice when it winds up smothered with debris. When this happens, you’ll have a decision to make. Will you simply tolerate the deck’s new look, or will you learn how to pressure wash a deck so you can reverse the problem? At Sunny Days Cleaning, we highly recommend that you have your deck cleaned once per year. In this blog, we’ll review how the deck pressure washing process works and how you can handle this sort of project on your own. Of course, if you’d rather not DIY, you can always reach out to us for a professional appointment. Why Decks Need to Be Pressure Washed Before you learn how to pressure wash a deck, you should understand why decks need to be pressure washed. Since decks are part of the outside world, they will naturally accumulate debris (just like any other exterior surface). This debris includes dirt, moss, mold, algae, and many other unwanted substances. As more and more of this debris accumulates on your deck, the less visually appealing the structure will be. And the less visually appealing the structure is, the less likely you and your friends are to actually use the deck. The negative consequences of deck debris go beyond dwindling beauty. In fact, the dirtier your deck is, the more likely it is to deteriorate over time. That’s because particles of debris will grind against the deck and slowly erode it. The longer you allow this to happen, the more severe the damage will be. For this reason, we recommend having your deck pressure washed at least once per year. What You’ll Need For Deck Cleaning When learning how to pressure wash a deck, the first step is making sure you have all the correct equipment. So, what will you need for the project? The most important weapon in your pressure washing arsenal is the pressure washer itself. This machine highly pressurizes water so that you can use it to clean dirty surfaces. With an attaching hose and nozzle, you’ll be able to harness the power of this water and spray it at dirty areas with pinpoint accuracy. Even tough-to-reach debris in tight areas, such as between deck boards, won’t stand a chance. It’s also important that you use safety equipment during your deck cleaning project. By covering your bare skin, you’ll heavily reduce the chance of self-injury. We recommend wearing eye protection, gloves, closed-toe shoes, and full-length pants. Finally, it won’t hurt to bring along some kind of cleaning solution that can break down stubborn debris. (We suggest sodium hypochlorite.) Preparing For Deck Cleaning Before you can pressure wash the deck, you’ll have to make the correct preparations. Of course, one of the most important things is making sure you have enough time for the work. Look at your calendar and find an opening that suits your needs. We recommend giving yourself three to four hours to pressure wash the deck; that way, you have more than enough time to complete the project. You will also need to clean any items off your deck before you can pressure wash it. Otherwise, furniture, grills, and other decorations will get in the way of your work. Please relocate these items to a safe place where they won’t be damaged by pressurized water. Once you are done cleaning, you can simply put them back. Pressure Washing the Deck Now, let’s learn about the exciting part of how to pressure wash a deck! Take your pressure washer, power it on, and select an appropriate amount of water pressure. This will vary based on the material your deck is made out of. We have included a guide below for your convenience: With the correct amount of water pressure selected, choose a starting position. (We recommend one of the corners of the deck.) Then, thoroughly clean the entire surface, working in rows to easily keep track of your progress. As you go, you’ll rinse away debris and revitalize the deck’s appearance, leaving you saying “Wow!” Don’t forget to also wash railings, stairs, and even the nearby outside walls of your property. That way, the entire area looks its best. Using Cleaning Solutions In some cases, you’ll discover that the debris on your deck is too stubborn to remove at first. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t give up. Instead, use cleaning solutions such as sodium hypochlorite to weaken this debris! Simply apply a thin layer of the cleaning solution to the afflicted area; then, give it a few minutes to break down the debris. Finally, rinse the area with touch-up pressure washing, leaving it in perfectly clean condition. Cleaning solutions such as sodium hypochlorite won’t damage your deck, and they won’t harm the environment, either. In fact, they will decompose safely, not causing any pollution. Because of this, they receive everyday use here at Sunny Days Cleaning. Consider Professional Deck Cleaning As you’ve learned in this blog, the process of how to pressure wash a deck isn’t always easy. While it’s certainly possible to do this work on your own, this isn’t a viable option for everyone. Some people don’t have enough time or energy for the project. Others lack the necessary equipment. If, for whatever reason, you don’t feel comfortable doing your own deck pressure washing, you can always reach out to us. At Sunny Days Cleaning, we specialize in all forms of pressure washing—deck cleaning included! If you are interested in our deck pressure washing, don’t hesitate to contact us online with information about your deck. That way, we can provide you with a free cost estimate for your project. Then, if you like our estimate, you can choose a time and date for your appointment! We can’t wait to be at your service.
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