Power Washing Your Deck

The Benefits of Power Washing

When working on a deck restoration project, one of the hardest steps is to get the wood completely clean. Unlike indoor hardwood flooring restoration, where the boards can usually be swept or brushed clean, outdoor decks can have dirt, grit and stains ground deep into the top layer of the wood. Power washing, or pressure washing, is one way to clean a deck completely and can show you spots that need to be repaired before you restore or refinish the wood. Only once the deck is clean and damaged areas have been fixed can staining products and sealants be applied.

What Tools Are Needed?

Whether you are doing it yourself or calling a professional, pressure washing equipment is all relatively similar. The machines themselves have a number of different nozzles to choose from that determine the strength of the water pressure. Most power washers even come with a nozzle specifically made for cleaning decks.

Besides the washer, chemical deck treatments and cleaning fluids are available anywhere that rents power washing machines. Because the chemicals can be toxic, it is a good idea to also have gloves and protective eye wear to avoid injury to your eyes or hands.

Should I Hire a Professional?

There are pros and cons to hiring a professional to power wash your deck. The biggest benefit is convenience. You do not have to worry about finding a washer, choosing a cleaning fluid or washing the deck itself. Additionally, you can have confidence that the person has the experience and expertise to make sure that your deck ends up clean and without damage. Professionals can be expensive, however, costing an average of $165 per cleaning, and most people prefer to either rent or buy their own pressure washing machine.

On average, a new pressure washer costs between $200-300, plus the cost of supplies. For those who like to wash their deck each year as part of their spring cleaning regimen, this can be a good option as it can save money in the long run. Many hardware and home supply stores also offer rentals that cost, on average, $50-60 per day, plus the cost of supplies. In the short term, this is definitely the most affordable option, although the cost will add up over the years and, while still more affordable than hiring a professional, will end up being more expensive than buying a power washing machine.