It is a part of your house and it gets a lot of use, from pets to plants, to parties. Regular deck maintenance and cleaning are necessary to keep your deck looking good. When is the best time of year to power wash your deck? The spring is an excellent time to power-wash your deck, but it is not the only one.
When is the best time of year to power-wash your deck?
The ideal conditions to power-wash your deck include warm weather, plenty of suns, and little wind. Power-washing your deck depends on the amount of time you use it and whether or not you intend to seal or stain the deck.
Spring is the time to power-wash the deck before the warm weather arrives. This will remove any mildew and grime that has accumulated over the winter.
Power-wash your deck during a warm day in the summer to get it ready for your next barbecue.
The fall is a good time to clean your deck. Before winter hits, you can remove some signs of summer like the grease on your grill.
If you’re planning to refinish your deck, power-wash it. But make sure to do it on a sunny day so that the wood can dry completely.
Power-washing is not recommended during rainy seasons. You may not be able to dry your wood properly if it gets too wet.
What is the difference between pressure washing, power washing, and softwashing?
You’ll need to know the basics of the various methods before you can decide when to power-wash.
All three methods are effective, but not the same.
Pressure Washing
Water is sprayed under high pressure. Pressure washing is great for cleaning driveways, sidewalks or pressure-treated wood. Pressure washing can damage masonry and strip sealants and paint. Avoid pressure washing painted surfaces and stained decks that are made from non-pressure-treated wood.
Power Washing
It is similar to pressure cleaning, but it uses heated water that helps remove tough stains and spots. You can use power washing on vinyl decking and concrete, as well as pressure-treated wood decking.
Soft washing
Soft washing is a technique that uses low-pressure nozzles. This removes dirt and debris from wood surfaces without damaging them. Professional soft-washing services use a biodegradable solution that helps remove dirt, mildew and stains. This mild chemical won’t harm surfaces or plants nearby.
How often should you power-wash your deck?
The best time for power washing your deck can vary depending on your requirements.
You should power-wash your decking once a year, or whenever you are planning to stain it.
Pressure-treated wood should be power-washed twice a year. Once in the spring, to remove the grime of winter and once in late fall before the winter weather arrives.
You can soft-wash your deck whenever you like. However, it is best to do so in the spring, before warm weather, and then again in the autumn.
How long after power washing can you seal a deck?
Decks must be completely dried before sealing. Allow at least 48-hours after power-washing before you apply a sealant. Wait at least 48-hours after rain.
Ideal conditions for deck staining or sealing are low humidity, no rain in the forecast for two days and temperatures between 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid applying deck stain or sealant on windy days or in direct sun.
Do You Want to Power-Wash your Deck or Hire a Professional?
There are pros and cons of doing it yourself or hiring a professional.
Skill-wise, power-washing a deck is not difficult. The majority of homeowners can complete the job in a few hours.
You can purchase a pressure washer if you do not already have one. Expect to pay between $100 and $1,000. Renting a pressure washer can cost anywhere between $35 and $175 per day.
If you are going to do your own deck cleaning, there are some things to keep in mind:
- Power washing can remove paint and deck stain.
- You should instead clean a deck that is painted by hand.
- If the wood is not completely dried out, it can cause rot.
- Decks should never be cleaned with household bleach.
You can damage your deck if you do not have low-pressure nozzles. Hiring a professional deck cleaning company will ensure there is no damage.
The majority of pressure-washing companies offer a soft-wash service for decks and patios, and only pressure-wash concrete surfaces like driveways and sidewalks. Power washing exterior surfaces cost an average of $300 in the United States, but prices can vary between $190 to $400.
It’s not difficult to do yourself, but can take several days. You may prefer to hire deck contractors to completely clean and refinish the deck, especially if it needs repairs.
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KM Roof and Home Repair
Greenville, SC 29609
864-535-9184
www.kmroofers.com
Areas Served: Piedmont SC, Fountain Inn SC, Simpsonville SC, Greer SC, Taylors SC, Greenville SC, Travelers Rest SC
