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