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How to power wash your deck
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Spring cleaning your weathered wooden deck is easy as vacuuming
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By Lorraine Flanigan; Photography by Roger Yip
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The cedar deck and pergola at the back of our house had weathered over the years to a lovely silvery patina, but a chance photo taken last summer revealed patches of mildew lurking in corners, and ringed stains where terracotta pots had once stood on the bare wood. I decided it was time for a spruce-up.
After investigating various ways to clean the wood, I concluded power washing would be the best method. Although cleaning solutions designed to lie on the surface and absorb into the wood are good for horizontal areas, power washing meant I could reach the crosspieces of the pergola overhead, as well as the upright posts at each corner of the deck - spots where cleansers would run off.
The washer's wand would also easily reach into the nooks and crannies of the railings.
These machines, which are as simple to operate as a vacuum cleaner, run on either gas or electricity; electric ones are less powerful (around 1,500 or 1,750 pounds per square inch), while gas-operated machines can blast away at 2,400 psi. For cleaning wood, a lower-powered washer does an efficient job without damaging the surface, especially if you take precautions. Most washers are designed to work with certain cleaning solutions, but I found those unnecessary - and they can be harmful to plants growing around the deck.
Preparation
Clear the area completely of all items, including furniture, barbecues and pots. Close doors and windows. Protect nearby plants by trimming or tying them back, or covering them with tarps or large pots. Sweep up any debris that might get blown around. Now is also a good time to replace damaged or rotted boards, railings and steps, which is important for safety and will help give your deck a new look.
This is a wet job. Before beginning, don waterproof shoes or boots and pants - or plunge in with childlike abandon and pretend you're at a water park!
Washing up
Spray overhead surfaces first, then railings and posts before finishing off with floors.
It's a good idea, though, to get a feel for the washer's wand by practising on a driveway or other paved surface. When you're ready to tackle the deck, set the wand at the recommended angle, and hold it a minimum of 10 centimetres from the surface. Move the jet of water slowly and continuously so as not to gouge the wood, gently lifting the wand at the end of each stroke to avoid marring the surface.
Finishing touches
If you have a cedar deck and you don't want to let it weather naturally, apply an opaque or semi-transparent stain once the wood has dried thoroughly. Temperatures must be above 12C with dry weather for at least two days before staining can be done.
Power tips
• Adjust the tip of the spray nozzle to a wide angle (between 25 and 40 degrees); this distributes the blast of water more evenly, so there's little chance of damaging the deck.
• Hold the wand so the tip is 10 to 30 centimetres from the surface. Any closer and the wood fibres will tear, creating a fuzzy nap that will eventually flake off, taking any finish with it.
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