When you decide that your old gray deck or fence is becoming an eye sore you can pressure wash it. First things first, you need to assess your project. Get the proper tools and equipment ready for use. Then develop a strategy for cleaning that keeps tabs on what direction the deck drains and move all of the fragile objects that you can. Other items such as windows and fixtures which can be broken by the powerful pressure washer need to be avoided. Make sure that you direct your spray in a way that is congruent with your plan.
Select a tip: usually the 15 percent or the "white tip" for the job. The tips attach to the end of the wand that is attached to the pressure washer by a high pressure hose. The tip you use and the PSI of your pressure washer determines the water pressure the smaller the opening the more power will be delivered. You should use a pressure washer with a PSI of 2400 to 2600 for decks as the wood is very fragile and can be splintered easily. More experienced contractors may use a higher psi. I for instance use a 4000 PSI unit. I just keep the spray further away. Using a stronger unit allows you to do jobs a lot faster but you have to be careful.
PRESSURE SORES
Whenever using a pressure washer it's a must to wear gloves and protective eyewear before starting your pressure washer. Also, check that all hoses are tight and not leaking water; a loose hose can turn into a projectile that can hurt you or break a window or other valuable items.
Start the unit and check the spray. Begin by working away from the wood and then slowly fan the wand toward the starting point from a couple feet away. Make a few practice passes fanning in and out until you have the right distance to clean but not splinter the wood. Make slow, fanning motions to rinse the deck of all gray and algae. If you are going to use a cleaner i recommend a bio-degradable product so not to interfere with the grass or plants around the deck.
After you have fully cleaned the deck allow 24-48 hours for the deck to dry before applying the stain. This is the most important part of the process. After a rigorous beating from the pressure washer the wood is like new and the pours are open again. You must allow the wood to dry. If not you will be setting your staining up for failure as it will not properly take to the wood if it is wet. We will go into staining your deck in a future post.
How to Pressure Wash Decks and Fences PRESSURE SORES
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