Power Washing a Wood Deck
Deck wood is a prime location to collect dirt, moss, algae, etc. The horizontal walking surface allows water to sit stagnant instead of run off like a fence, and therefore makes it easy for grime to take root and accumulate. People also tend to want shade or furniture on the deck which encourages moss and other organisms to grow. Over time the wood will become gray, green, or even black, and the surface will become extremely slippery when wet. Power washing is necessary to keep the wood clean and safe to walk on.
How to clean a wood deck...
We utilize a method of power washing called a soft wash which relies on cleaning agents instead of pressure. This is vital in wood cleaning because pressure can dent or even chip away at older deck boards. Also, the pressure alone may not be enough to actually kill the organisms that are growing. When we soft wash your deck, the cleaning agents will completely kill and remove the dirt and other organisms, and then rinse away easily. This method is safer because it because it protects the integrity of your deck and delays regrowth by killing the root of the organism.
We go the extra mile...
At Soft Works Power Washing we also take the additional measure of protecting your deck by adding a solution called “The Brown Stuff”. Really descriptive title, we know. The cleaning agents that are necessary to kill the organisms are rinsed away at the end, but in order to ensure that they are completely neutralized we finish up the Brown Stuff. Essentially this product protects your wood from any potential damage caused by cleaners sitting on your wood surface.
The results...
Oftentimes the final result does not look as nice as the home owner was hoping. Depending on how new the boards are the deck cannot be restored completely to it’s original look. But regardless of how it looks the next step is to seal, stain, or paint the deck. (In a future post we will discuss what the differences and benefits of painting, sealing, or staining). Not only will this achieve the desired look, but will protect your newly cleaned surface from water damage. Power washing is a vital first step before any type of paint as it thoroughly cleans the surface and allows the product to adhere to the boards smoothly. A proper cleaning and sealing will allow your deck to serve your family much better in the long run. At Soft Works Power Washing we are able to take your deck from dirty, to clean, to finished with whichever method is right for you and your family.
Right: The floor boards on this deck were brand new, but the railings were old. We used a soft wash to bring the railings back to life so the whole deck matches.
Below: This deck needed a good cleaning before it could be repainted.
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