Stripping Your Decking Using A Power Washer? Use Our Guide To Do It Right
Looking to remove the old finish from your decking? Pressure washing may be the ideal solution for you. As well as being quick to complete, it is an efficient way to remove the old finish from the surface.
However, were you aware that power washing your decking can actually do more than just strip off the old finish? Using a pressure washer at too high a pressure can actually damage the wood surface of your decking and damage it irreversibly.
So how do you complete the job of stripping the old finish from your decking without causing damage? Thankfully, it isn’t too difficult. With some care and attention, along with the right tools, stripping your decking can be done effectively whilst keeping the surface intact for its next treatment.
USE RIGHT PRESSURE TO STRIP DECKING WITHOUT DAMAGE
Ensuring that your decking remains in top-notch condition whilst power washing is largely down to the type of pressure washer you use. A common mistake made when power washing deck is that a washer with too high a pressure is used and this is commonly caused by industrial pressure washers which produce high pressures up to 4000 PSI. These machines are ideal for cleaning robust surfaces such as concrete, but for your more delicate outdoor decking, absolutely not!
Thankfully, the smaller machines which are commonly found in DIY stores are much more suited to this task because they are lower pressure, typically 1500 PSI. So by using both the right machine and attachment, these types of machines make the perfect choice for cleaning residential decking.
OTHER KEYS TO POWER WASHING SUCCESS: CORRECT NOZZLES & TECHNIQUE
Wanting to remove all of the old finish from your decking? Be sure to choose the right attachment. Specifically, we recommend a 30-degree nozzle between 2-3 inches away from the surface. However, be sure not to hold this too close to the surface or spray the same spot for too long. This can cause irreparable damage to your decking. For ultimate success, just keep the sprayer moving to avoid such issues. Specifically, we recommend using your power washer in vertical movements along the grain. Cleaning your decking in horizontal movements can have the undesirable effect of exposing colour streaks which can make it look patchy and really ruin your decking appearance.
