If your deck has picked up a summer’s worth of dirt, pollen, leaves, and mildew, fall is a good time to clean it before winter settles in. A pressure washer can clean a deck quickly, but too much pressure can damage the boards. In many cases, you may get just as good a result with a deck cleaner, a brush, and a garden hose.
The best approach will depend on your decking material and how much grime you’re dealing with.
Why Clean Your Deck Before Winter?
It’s generally a good idea to clear away dirt and organic debris before winter, especially when leaves and other material have collected between the boards.
Wet leaves, pine needles, and dirt can cause moisture to pool on the deck. They may also contribute to mold, mildew, and staining while making the surface slick. Keeping the gaps between the deck boards clear can help water drain properly.
You don’t need to make your deck spotless before the first snowfall. Still, it’s better to head into winter with a clean surface than to leave months of debris sitting on the boards.
Do You Need to Pressure Wash a Hardwood Deck?
If ordinary dirt and seasonal buildup on a hardwood deck, you might not need a pressure washer at all. Tropical hardwoods are naturally durable, but that doesn’t mean you need high pressure every time they get dirty.
A hardwood cleaner can loosen dirt, mildew, and other surface buildup without putting the wood through an aggressive pressure wash. Apply the cleaner according to the product directions, give it time to work, and scrub stubborn areas with a stiff-bristled brush. Then rinse the deck thoroughly.
Can You Pressure Wash Composite or PVC Decking?
Before you start, check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
Composite and PVC decking products can have different cleaning requirements. Some manufacturers allow pressure washing under specific conditions. Others recommend soap, water, and a soft brush only.
If the manufacturer allows pressure washing, follow the instructions for pressure, nozzle type, and spray distance.
How to Pressure Wash a Deck Without Damaging It
If you decide to use a pressure washer, a few simple tips can help you clean the deck without damaging the surface.
Sweep the Deck First
Don’t use a pressure washer to do work that a broom can handle.
Sweep away leaves, dirt, pine needles, and other loose debris before you start washing. Then clear out the spaces between the boards, too.
This makes the washing easier and keeps you from blasting loose debris into places where you don’t want it.
Use the Lowest Effective Pressure
More pressure doesn’t necessarily mean a cleaner deck.
Start with a low setting and test a small area before washing the entire surface. When possible, use a wide spray pattern instead of a concentrated stream.
Avoid a zero-degree nozzle on wood decking. That concentrated stream can damage the surface very quickly.
Keep the Nozzle Moving
Don’t hold the wand in one spot while you work on a stubborn stain.
Keep the nozzle moving at a steady pace and maintain a consistent distance from the boards. If you get too close, you could leave lines or gouges that might not show up until the wood dries.
Spray With the Grain
When you clean wood, spray in the direction of the grain rather than across it. Following the grain can help reduce noticeable marks on the surface.
When Does Pressure Washing Make Sense?
There are times when a pressure washer can make the job easier.
If your deck has heavy dirt buildup that would take a long time to scrub by hand, pressure washing may save you some work. It’s very useful on a large deck where you have a lot of surface area to cover.
However, faster doesn’t always mean better. If you keep increasing the pressure because a stain won’t come off, you could damage the wood without actually removing the stain.
For stubborn buildup, a deck cleaner can loosen the dirt first. You can then use the pressure washer to rinse away the cleaner and loosened debris.
That’s generally a better approach than trying to blast everything off with pressure alone.
Should You Oil a Hardwood Deck Before Winter?
If you want to maintain the brown color of a tropical hardwood deck, fall can be a good time to clean and oil it before winter.
First, let the wood dry completely. The finish may not absorb properly and could leave you with an uneven appearance if the board are wet.
You don’t have to oil a tropical hardwood deck just because winter is approaching, though. If you prefer the natural silver-gray color that hardwood develops as it weathers, you can leave the wood untreated.
On the other hand, if you decide to oil the deck, apply a thin, even coat and follow the product directions. With dense hardwoods, applying more oil won’t necessarily produce better results.
Take a Few Minutes to Check the Deck
Fall cleaning also gives you a good opportunity to look over the rest of the deck.
Check the fasteners, boards, stairs, railings, and areas where water tends to collect. Clear away anything that could interfere with drainage between the boards.
Look for:
- Loose or popped fasteners
- Cracked or damaged boards
- Loose stair treads
- Wobbly railings
- Debris blocking the gaps between boards
- Areas where water pools
These problems may seem minor now, but winter can make them worse. It’s much easier to deal with a loose board or drainage problem in the fall than to discover it after months of snow and freezing temperatures.
So, Should You Pressure Wash Your Deck Before Winter?
You can, but you don’t necessarily need to.
For a lightly soiled deck, sweeping, cleaning, and rinsing with a garden hose may be all you need. If your deck has heavier buildup, a pressure washer can speed up the job, provided you use the right technique and follow the recommendations for your decking material.
With wood, especially, it is not best to increase pressure on the pressure washer just because something won’t come clean. Instead, use a good cleaner and some scrubbing to loosen stubborn buildup, then rinse the surface.
Get Your Deck Ready for Winter
If you need deck cleaners, hardwood maintenance products, fasteners, or new decking for your next project, check out AdvantageLumber.com for the materials you need.
