We are coming into the time of year when people start looking critically at the appearance of their wood decks and fences. Whether you are a contractor offering this service or a property owner considering doing this work yourself, there is a lot to know before you break out the pressure washer. Several years ago we published a paper on the topic of cleaning wood properly - low pressure, strong cleaners, etc. Here is that paper:
When you clean decks great surface preparation is the KEY to outstanding results. Prep right, and the deck will turn out GREAT. Rush through prep, skip a step (or two) to save money and/or time, and the deck won’t look nearly as good.
Thorough cleaning of the deck or fence is essential to get good results. If the deck was previously sealed, you must strip off the old sealer rather than just clean the wood. If any old sealer remains, it might interfere with the sealer soaking into the wood and adhering to the wood. If the deck has not been sealed within the last five years, a deep cleaning is probably all that is needed. If you are not sure if the deck or fence must be stripped, a simple “splash” test is all you need to find out. Sprinkle a little water from your fingertips on to the dry wood. If the droplets soak into the wood right away, you don’t need to strip. If they form little droplets on the surface, you do have to strip. Try this test in various spots, particularly on vertical surfaces like posts.
High-pressure washing of wood decks is not necessary or advisable. Instead... (continued here)
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