Surface Cleaning Deck Floor

[smokey51 14]

While surfing the web today, I came across a website of a deck restoration business that showed a worker actually using a service cleaner to wash the deck floor of a combo deck (http://www.carpetandwoodcare.com/deck_restoration..html) or maybe I'm just looking at it wrong. It does not look like he is using any cleaning solution.

Anybody ever tried this? I don't think I want to.

Terry

[steffysmom 14]

We have been doing decks for quite some time--Just wanted to let you know that the only way that we clean the deck surfaces is with a surface cleaner--too bad we can't use it on the ballusters ! We have had excellent results. No streak marks from the wand. With the surface cleaner, you just need to keep it moving--don't stand in one place with the surface cleaner running--could leave rings on the deck. We tilt the surface cleaner back when we are starting until it gets going at full speed and then when it is running at full speed, we start cleaning.

[JimCrossley 14]

We have been doing decks for quite some time--Just wanted to let you know that the only way that we clean the deck surfaces is with a surface cleaner--too bad we can't use it on the ballusters ! We have had excellent results. No streak marks from the wand. With the surface cleaner, you just need to keep it moving--don't stand in one place with the surface cleaner running--could leave rings on the deck. We tilt the surface cleaner back when we are starting until it gets going at full speed and then when it is running at full speed, we start cleaning.

Exactly... Turn the compressor to about 1200 psi with a surface cleaner and go for it.

[seymore 90]

We have been doing decks for quite some time--Just wanted to let you know that the only way that we clean the deck surfaces is with a surface cleaner

Do you clean all types of decking with a surface cleaner Cedar,PT etc?

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

Many types of wood are soft, such as cedar, redwood and PT. A surface cleaner is not recommended for cleaning decks as the pattern the cleaner cleans in cuts across the grain and can cause splintering and damage. When washing you should always be going the direction of the grain, not side to side against it.

Just my .02....you guys asked...

Beth :cup:

[Proclean 14]

"Many types of wood are soft, such as cedar, redwood and PT. A surface cleaner is not recommended for cleaning decks as the pattern the cleaner cleans in cuts across the grain and can cause splintering and damage. When washing you should always be going the direction of the grain, not side to side against it."

Exactly.

Plus, when I am pressure washing, I am adjusting pressure and/or moving the tip from the surface. Mind you not all the time, or radically but I don't see how you could pressure wash a soft material (wood vs concrete) with 100% constant pressure. An example would be knots. They always require a little more attention.

I would never try this (using surface cleaner) on a customers deck, but if someone would let me see this in action and prove it works, I would love to see this as this would save a lot of time as we start our 81st deck this year.

Paul Dinos

Pro Clean Specialists

[PressurePros 248]

Unless the deck were huge, say 1500 s/f of floor I wouldn't bother. Its another tool to unload and out away. You still have to cut in with a surface cleaner so the overall time savings on a mid size deck would not be worth it to me. Its not always about speed, sometimes you have to weigh all the variables. If potential damage to a deck is even remotely possible with a certain tool, I find alternate methods.