What's the recomended psi for a preasure washer when used to wash a deck?

Question

What's the recomended psi for a preasure washer when used to wash a deck?

Answer 1

Never ever water blast a timber deck. It wrecks it

always use a chemical wash etc

Answer 2

The higher pressure pressure washers usually also put out a larger flow of water as well. This will make the job go faster. However the distance the tip is from the surface has a lot to do with how much pressure actually get to the deck. Different tips will also effect the pressure on the deck. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

1) If you have to much pressure it will cause the wood to be rough and fuzzy which indicated damage from the excessive pressure.

2) if you use any chemicals be sure not to put any chemicals through the pressure washer that are not recommended for that purpose.

3) bleach can really cause you grief. If you run beach through a pressure washer it will destroy the rubber seals in perssure washer.

4) Bleach should not be used on a deck for any reason. It damages the wood. If you must use a bleaching type of product only use products designed for that purpose.

NOTE: I am a painter and have worked in a paint department. One guy let his buddy convince him that bleach was just as good as the deck cleaners. I tried to correct him.  They used bleach anyway. The next day they came back and bought 10 gallons of a light brown stain. A few hours later the buyer called and told me something was wrong with the stain. He said that it was defective.  The stain turned pink. what really happened was that by using bleach some of the bleach was still in the wood when he stained it. Bleach as you know bleaches the color out of things.   I tried to tell him.   I hope you don't make the same mistake. Good Luck!

P.S. and what ever you do do not use Thompson's Water Seal. It is one of the worst products on the market. I could tell you stories about how many people have hired me to fix a deck or fence that they used it on.

Answer 3

I was not aware of there being a variable control to adjust the pressure.  Usually you use interchangeable tips when trying to adjust the stream.  Distance of the wand tip from the surface being cleaned is the way to vary the pressure. Try various distances in an inconspicuous area  and see which distance yields you the best results.

Answer 4

Robert k has the answer power washers are made to rinse faster there are many of detergents you can use.If you get to close you will leave what we call fan marks witch will ruin the aperance of what ever your cleaning.

Answer 5

What type of deck and how old ......you just have to kind of feel your way........I just did my sons 3 weeks ago and was running about 2000psi.......but at times would get down close and at times would pull back up a little........it cleaned it very very nice and is stained now. If you not careful you can score it,,,,,,,,,but do not be afraid.......just start washing from about a foot away from the area........and soon you will get the feel....just be careful around doors and windows and siding....and don't shoot dogs and cats.........it really can blow and eye out........it's fun......but watch out for kids...enjoy