Last Updated on November 8, 2023 by Kravelv
If you’re one of those who like to take care of things by yourself, you might want to know how to clean a painted deck with a power washer. Just like most home improvement projects, it’s essential to learn the proper procedures for power washing your atlanta home. Otherwise, your deck could end up looking worse than when you started. Rather than skipping ahead and assuming you know everything already, these steps will show you how to avoid mistakes that could damage a painted surface.
What NOT To Do When Power washing a Painted Deck!
Cleaning a painted deck can be a real pain. You have to be careful not to damage the paint and the deck’s surface, which is not always easy. The proper process will make all the difference. If you follow these steps, you’ll get a great result!
- Don’t use a power washer with too much pressure. This will cause damage to your deck and may also ruin your paint job.
- Don’t use abrasive cleaners or chemicals on your deck unless specifically designed. This will also cause scratches and other damage that can ruin your deck’s finish.
- Don’t use any pressure washer accessories that aren’t specially designed for cleaning decks (such as nozzles).
- You may be tempted to get this done as quickly as possible, but rushing will only cause more problems. Take your time and follow the steps below carefully.
How To Power wash a Painted Deck and Not Damage the Paint
If you use a power washer to clean your deck, you might be worried about damaging the paint. But with the right equipment and cleaning service naperville, you can safely power wash a painted deck without damaging the paint.
What You Need
You’ll need a pressure washer, a garden hose, a deck brush, and mild dish soap. We recommend using our Pressure Washer Cleaning Kit.
Step 1: Clean Your Deck With Soap and Water First
Before pressure washing your deck, clean it with soap and water to remove any dirt or stains from the surface. Use a garden hose with mild dish soap to spray down all surfaces of your deck. Ensure to rinse off all soap residue before moving on to step two.
Step 2: Protect Plants and Fences With Tarps
If your deck is connected to another structure (such as a fence or house), protect those areas with tarps before starting because they’re more likely to get hit by stray water droplets when you’re pressure washing your deck. Place tarps over plants and fences so they don’t get wet during cleaning time; if necessary, tape them in place with masking tape, so they don’t blow away during winds or storms.
Step 3: Low Pressure
The best way to power wash a painted deck is to use a soft nozzle and low pressure to prevent your deck from being damaged.
Step 4: Wider Spray
Not only will you use lower pressure, but the spray should be broader and less direct and harsh.
Step 5: Garden Hose
If you have a large deck, it’s best to power wash it with a garden hose and nozzle.
Step 6: Appropriate Tip
Use a soft spray tip on your hose or a water-pressure washer with a soft spray tip, such as one designed to clean automobiles.
Step 7: Top Down
Start at the top of the deck and work your way down so that the pressure isn’t coming directly on the paint.
Step 8: Small Sections
Work in small sections, then move on to larger sections as you gain confidence in how much pressure you can use without damaging the paint finish.
The Better Option
The best way to use a power washer on a painted deck is to have a professional do the work. They have experience working without stripping the paint, and they know how to clean and protect your deck’s finish properly.
Although you can do the work yourself, hiring a professional is much less hassle. They can set up, clean up, and break down far more quickly than DIY, plus you won’t risk power washing off paint. If you do the work and “mess up,” you may need to take on a much larger project of power washing off ALL the paint.