Is It A Good Idea To Pressure Wash Wood Around Your Home? What You Need To Know

Ice, rain, and snow can all cause dirt and grime to build up on your outdoor deck, fence, or gazebo. To properly restore these items, you need to clean them regularly. You might be tempted to grab your power washer and get right to work, as it's an effective way to quickly remove grime. If you've never used the tool before, though, you might be interested to learn that it can damage certain surfaces.

Is it a good idea to use a power or pressure washer on wood? The short answer is yes, you can use your pressure washer to clean wood surfaces — as long as you know what you're doing and know the risks. Using a power washer right next to your home may result in water seeping in through cracks or other openings, so exercise caution. Additionally, it's possible to accidentally damage your wood (or even ruin it) with a power washer, but with the correct technique, pressure, and nozzle tip, you can safely use it to clean your outdoor wooden surfaces. Here's what you need to know before you start wielding that high-volume water stream.

The first step in safely power-washing your outdoor wood is choosing your machine's correct pressure setting. This is determined by the kind of wood you're planning to clean. Spruce, cedar, pine, and other softwoods only need pressure that's between 500 and 600 psi. If you happen to have a deck or fence made out of walnut, maple, oak, or another hardwood, you can take it up to 1,200 psi. For composite wood, choose a low setting (600 psi or less), as this material is softer than natural wood and can be more easily damaged.

Use either a rotating tip or a fan tip with a 40- to 60-degree angle, as these disperse water more evenly than some other options. If you choose a rotating tip, run a test before you start cleaning to ensure you're using the correct settings. Start with a low psi and spray a corner or other inconspicuous area of your deck or fence. Increase the psi until you reach the correct pressure — you should be able to visibly remove dirt without damaging the wood.

Before you start spraying in earnest, make sure you don all the necessary safety gear, including protective glasses and boots. Also, ensure you're a safe distance away from pets, objects, and other people. Inspect your wood to make sure it's in good condition, as you should never clean damaged wood with a power washer. Unless you're using an extremely low-pressure setting, don't get closer than 12 inches from the wood, as this may damage it — instead, stand anywhere from 12 to 18 inches away. Generally, no cleaning solution is necessary when power-washing wood, but you can use one if your fence or deck is especially grimy.

Once you're ready, sweep the nozzle across the wood horizontally, following the wood's grain. The surface might become damaged if you spray the same area for too long, so keep the nozzle moving. After you've washed your fence, deck, or gazebo, allow it to dry for at least two days before applying a stain or sealant. Now that your outdoor wood is clean, you can turn your attention inside and try out some of the best ways to clean wood furniture.