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 One
of the most common calls we get here at J&J Power Washing are
regarding power washing Main Line decks and porches. Sure, you
can go down to the local hardware store and rent a power washer
for about $50 a day but why not spend the little extra and take
the day off and ensure yourself that you do not ruin your deck.
Most
people do not know how to use a power washer properly. Our
trained professionals know what what power washer settings,
water temperature, and cleaning products to use on virtually any
part of your home or commercial property. Some power washers,
especially commercial washers are powerful enough to etch brick
while being gentle enough to wash vinyl siding.
Some
pressure washers run on electricity while some run on gas. They
are available in a variety of sizes and can provide anywhere
from a few hundred pounds of pressure per inch up into the
thousands of pounds of pressure per square inch. If you do
decide to take on the work yourself please make sure to read the
manual as to not ruin the wood. In most cases you want to use as
low a pressure as possible while still being effective.
Main
Line Deck Power Washing Tips
On soft
wood like cedar and pine you want to use roughly 500 psi. On
harder woods you may have to go as high as 1200 psi. In most
cases you want to use either a fan tip or a rotating tip and
remain roughly 24 inches away from the wood deck. When power
washing try and feather the wood from a about a twelve to
eighteen inch range. Even when you are on lower pressure you
should not get closer than a foot away from the wood deck.
Main
Line Deck Power Washing Technique
As
previously mentioned you should use a fan tip between forty and
sixty degrees. Set your pressure low and increase incrementally
as is needed to clean the tech, while not damaging the wood.
When beginning start from a few feet away and work your fan tip
to about a foot away from the surface of the deck. Try and keep
the distance consistent. Work from the house outward. Most
importantly, work with the grain by feathering and spraying
lengthwise with the deck boards.
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