{"id":5489,"date":"2020-04-30T12:00:49","date_gmt":"2020-04-30T19:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/?p=5489"},"modified":"2024-01-29T17:46:01","modified_gmt":"2024-01-30T00:46:01","slug":"how-to-pressure-wash-a-deck","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-to-pressure-wash-a-deck\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Pressure Wash a Deck"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As you gear up for some back yard enjoyment with a freshly cleaned home this spring<\/a>, one daunting task you might be dreading is how to get your deck to look shiny and brand new. The simplest and fastest way to get that deck spruced up is with a quick pressure washing before staining or sealing it for the year. If you’ve never run a pressure washer before, this post will give you a step-by-step guide to how to pressure wash a deck safely and efficiently.<\/p>\n

Step 1: Outfit Yourself for Power Washing Safely<\/h2>\n

Before plunging into a power washing frenzy, you’ll want to understand the importance of keeping your home, your family, your plants, and even yourself safe from a pressure washer.<\/p>\n

As Consumer Reports notes, pressure washers pack up to 30 to 80 times the pressure<\/a> you’ll get through your garden hose. With that kind of pressure, you can break windows, damage siding, and gouge your deck. While you can pressure wash siding to clean it, it generally requires less pressure and should be a separate project. You can also do some serious injury to yourself, which is why you should understand how to power wash a deck safely.<\/p>\n

A pressure washer has the capability of causing lacerations that penetrate deep into muscle tissue, raising the risk of infection. A washer also can blast through lightweight footwear such as deck shoes or even light rubber boots, so make sure you wear long pants, sturdy work shoes or boots, and goggles. Also, avoid loose clothing or jewelry that could get caught in the spray and suck part of your body into it.<\/p>\n

Step 2: Prepare Your Deck and Surroundings for Pressure Washing<\/h2>\n

Getting your deck ready for a power washing should be quick and easy, but it’s also an important step.<\/p>\n

Start by moving all of your patio furniture<\/a>, toys, and decorative items so you can clean them separately. Be sure to move anything fragile that could be damaged by the power washer far away from the area. Also, sweep the deck clear of all winter debris, such as leaves, branches, and dirt.<\/p>\n

Examine the deck closely to see what level of cleaning you’ll need to undertake. As you better understand how to pressure wash a deck, you’ll also know what can be accomplished by a simple washing and what requires a little extra effort. If you have deep-stained areas from grease, tree sap, and other deep stains, you might need to consider applying a cleaner before pressure washing.<\/p>\n

If you live in a rainy area and have spots with mold and mildew, you’ll definitely want to treat those areas with a fungicidal or antimicrobial cleaner. A deck that just needs a little refreshing can be cleaned nicely with just plain water in the pressure washer. We’ll touch on some of the tougher cleaning solutions in a bit.<\/p>\n

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Pro Tip<\/h5>\n

Any plants close to your deck should be covered with plastic while you are pressure washing. This will stop direct spray damage and reduce exposure to chemical residue. Plants close enough to catch some drift from your spraying, especially if you use a cleaner first, should be rinsed off as soon as possible. This extra step can protect your landscaping<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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