Pressure Washing Decks

A beautiful wooden deck, properly maintained, can				close to it's original color.Add approx. 5oz. acid to
add				each gallon of water.Citrus Acid- Used on
greatly to the aesthetic and resale values of a				hardwoods.Oxalic Acid- Primarily used on
home.Just look around, decks are almost				redwoods.Phosphoric Acid- Used when an
everywhere. Not just				unfinished deck has turned
houses but both municipal and commercial				"gray".I'm very hesitant to suggest a pressure
facilities use				level when it comes
wooden decks and walkways extensively.				to cleaning decks because it's just so subjective.
Because of this				One deck
pressure washing decks can be a great profit				will have harder wood than another andother
center for your				decks will have softer and harder areas on the
business or even the whole business.The great				same
news is that decks need maintenance. As beautiful				deck. In this respect only experience can really
				guide you.
as a wooden deck can be it can be a real				As a general rule of thumb use the least amount
eyesore if not				of pressure
properly maintained.Why Decks Need				that will get the job done.Test pressure on an
MaintenanceWhen a wood deck absorbs water				inconspicuous area of the deck. The
the natural resins and color				underside works well for thisExcessive
can be washed out over time.The combination of				Pressure.Excessive pressure will cause a deck to
wood and water creates a food source for				"furr".This is the
mildew, fungus and mold promoting their growth.				appearance of small hairlike fibers protruding
Wood and				from the
water combined with dirt and even air pollution				wood.. Your customers will not like the way this
will also				looks and
contribute to the proliferation of mildew, fungus				light sanding will be required to correct this
and molds.				condition.Ready, Set, Go!Soak the area to be
One thing to remember is that a wet deck with				cleaned thoroughly. This serves several
a thick				purposes but most importantly, the deck must
coating of mildew is very slick and slippery. This				remain damp
creates				throughout the entire cleaning process.Apply
one heck of a "slip and fall" liability problem. Keep				cleaning chemical with the applicator of your
this				choice.When just starting out a pump up type
in mind when speaking to the decision makers of				sprayer will
commercial				work nicely. Allow your chemical to dwell for
and municipal facilities.Learning CurveThere is a				15-20 minutes.
learning curve involved when getting proficient				Do not allow to dry. If necessary spray more
enough to clean/seal/restore wood decks for				water or
the public. It				reapply chemical.If you've sufficiently dampened
is best to learn on your own deck or on the				the deck and haven't dawdled
decks of close				this shouldn't be a big problem.Clean. Remember
friends and relatives. When learning make sure to				when cleaning use low pressure. Never clean
do more				against the grain or across the grain. Feather
than one. Different decks can present different				each pass.
challenges.InspectWhen organizing your project or				The pressure used should be enough to remove
preparing your bid make some				dead wood but
simple observations.Has the deck ever been				not enough to cause "furring" Experience will be
sealed? Is there old sealer that				your best
needs to be stripped and reapplied?Do I have all				teacher.Rinse deck thoroughly removing all
the chemicals, tools and equipment required				chemical. Apply
for this project?( we will include a sample list at				neutralizer/brightener solution, wait 10-15 minutes
the end of this article)Is there any damaged or				and
rotted wood that needs to be				rinse well again.If you are going to seal wait 24
replaced?( Now is a good time to measure.)Are				hours if not 48. If you
the any missing or loose bolts, nails or				chose your day well rain won't become a
screws?Are there any adjacent bushes or plants				problem."Furring" Happens.Sometimes "furring will
that need to be				become apparent even at low
protected?Are there any electrical appliances,				pressures. These short hair like fibers are the
outlets, light fixtures				result of a
or telephone jacks?Note: these will have to be				"tearing" action on the wood. These will probably
sealed water tight. Remember				be gone in
water and electricity is a dangerous combination.				2-3 weeks but your customer will want them
Decks in				gone sooner than
upscale neighborhoods will probably contain most				later. Give them a light sanding with a bronze
of these				metal
challenges. Make sure the circuit breakers will be				scrubbing pad. Use bronze, steel wool can leave
accessible to you prior to starting.BeginningOk				rust
you've cleared everything from the deck and				stains.What not to leave behindHere is a general
placed it far				list of things to bring to your job site.
enough to be out of harms way. You've locked				Some of this may not apply to you. The point is
out the circuit				to always
breakers that provide electrical service to the				work with a job list to avoid the embarassment
deck area.				or expense of
Outlets, fixtures and jacks have been sealed				missing that tool you need right now.Pressure
water tight.Close proximity plants and bushes				Washer- Cold water gas machine 5.5-11HP
have been protected with a				commercial
clear plastic tarp.Loose bolts. nails and screws				grade unit.(Hot Washers are also used but at
have been tightened or				very low temperatures not
replaced.with galvanized fasteners.Rotted or				exceeding 110F)Hoses- Sufficient lengths of both
damaged wood has been replaced.Only now are				pressure hose and supply
you really ready to begin.Clear the Deck of Dirt				hose.Brooms/Blower- A stiff bristled push broom
and DebrisWith a stiff bristle broom or a leaf				(not metal)
blower clear all loose				and/or a gas powered leaf blower.Chemical
dirt and debris from the surface of the				applicator - Pump-up type sprayer or Flo-Jet type
deck..What Chemicals to UseSodium Hydroxide ( a
high caustic chemical) is very popular				sprayerMixing Buckets - 2or3 5 gallon plastic
with professional deck cleaners. Because this				mixing buckets.Mixers- Drill type chemical
chemical does				mixer.Respirator- Cartridge type with
most of the work very low pressures of				spares(When working with high caustics and
500-1200 PSI can be				acids)Face and Eye Protection- Some type of
used which helps avoid the condition known as				helmet with face
"furring".Safety note: Always wear headgear with				shield.Cordless Drill- With phillips screw bits and
face shields and				chuck large
cartridge type respirators when working with				enough to acommodate the chemical
high caustic or				mixer.Hammer- If nails are required.Deck Screws,
acidic chemicals. This is not a suggestion it's a				Nails and Bolts- As required, use galvanized
must.While Sodium Hydroxide is a very effective				only.Duct tape, Clear plastic sheeting,Cardboard-
chemical it will				To protect
darken or may even blacken the deck. Because				areasExtension Cords- Must be adequate length
of this the PH				and gauge. 12 gauge
will have to be neutralized with a mild acidic				minimum.Electric Rotary Sander- With 60 and 80
solution.				grit sandpaperKnee Pads - You didn't think you'd
Acids used are Citrus,Oxalic or Phosphoric.These				always be standing when
acid solutions will act as brighteners. Neutralizing				sanding did you?Remember practice makes
the PH of a high caustic cleaner will restore a				perfect get out there and start
deck very				learning.

Simonds Pump

Pressure Washing Decks