Common Power Washing Misconceptions

Being a pressure wash contractor, there are many myths and misconceptions about pressure washing that I hear everyday that I know are absolutely false. These misconceptions cost the public untold amounts of money every year, and also cause many injuries, which, in turn, cost more money. Here’s one of the most common misconceptions that can do damage to you, your home, and your budget:

High Pressure is the Only Way to Get It Clean

Only contractors that use inferior cleaners have to depend on high pressure to do the job. High pressure can do a lot of damage to your home. Wood is softer than you might think, and using too much pressure to wash a deck can cut wood and leave unsightly marks and scars that will show through the sealer. Using too much pressure on asphalt shingles is a huge mistake. Shingles have small pieces of grit on them, similar to sand, called granules. Excessive pressure can blow these granules off the shingles, lessening the longevity of your roof.

Ipe and Hardwood Deck Cleaning

If you are lucky enough to own an ipe deck or any of the hardwood species of decks then you may already be aware that these woods require maintenance like any other wooden deck. Hardwood deck cleaning is not that much more difficult than cleaning any other type of deck with a few caveats.

1) Though the term hardwood is used often and certainly applies, this does not mean the wood is impervious to damage. Always use low pressure and even washing strokes.
2) Hardwood decks can have mold spores carried with them from their place of origin. Mold strains from a rain forest in Brazil are very hearty and must be removed prior to finishing.

Choose a deck cleaning product that contains sodium percarbonate. This cleaning compound will bubble up dirt and mold from below the surface. Deck cleaning on hardwoods like ipe should be performed whether the wood has been outside for awhile or if it is new construction. Apply the deck cleaner via a pump up sprayer. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Use a deck brush or pressure washer to agitate the mixture and then rinse methodically. Do not use high pressure. Keep your pressure washing wand far from the surface and walk the entire length of each board without stopping. This will prevent any lap marks and give you a clean surface to stain and seal.