Can You Pressure Wash Wood? What to Know Before You Start Spraying

From siding and fences to decks and gazebos, your home likely has its fair share of wood. Part of the normal upkeep of wood is cleaning it to remove the buildup of dirt, grime, and mildew. While there are numerous heavy-duty cleaners on the market, you may ask if you can pressure wash wood for a faster and more effective result. 

The answer is yes, you can pressure wash wood, but if you’re unsure of what type of wood you’re dealing with or how to use the equipment, then you may consider hiring a professional. Here’s what you need to know before you start spraying.

What to Know About Pressure Washing Wood

Pressure washing wood speeds up the necessary process of cleaning it from all the elements it’s exposed to and is great for prepping the wood ahead of staining. It requires equipment that spouts out cold water in a concentrated stream, measured by the force of pounds per square inch or psi. Because of the amount of pressure applied, it’s important to work cautiously to prevent damage or personal injury. 

There are a few things to keep in mind about how to properly pressure wash a deck or other parts of the home before you break out the machinery:

• It’s less gentle versus soft washing. As the name suggests, pressure washing involves high amounts of pressure without the use of chemicals. Soft washing uses less pressure but needs detergent—which may be a more appropriate choice for your type of wood.

• The amount of pressure depends on the type of wood. For softer woods, such as cedar and pine, the maximum amount of pressure recommended is 600 psi. However, heartier woods can withstand up to 1,500 psi.

• You can accidentally cause damage if the pressure is too high. Not only must you consider the softness of the wood you’re pressure washing, but the distance and angle from which you spray. Keep the water about 16 inches away from the wood to start.

• You don’t need additional cleaners. A cleaning solution isn’t required for pressure washing, but you can use it if you have particularly tough stains to treat.

• Time of year matters. Pressure washing in the spring is ideal because you get rid of the grime and buildup from the winter, and the sun will speed up the drying process. You can pressure wash up until fall if needed, as long as the cold weather hasn’t set in yet.

Pressure Washing vs. Soft Washing vs. Power Washing

Soft washing is the gentle cousin of pressure washing. It uses lower pressure for washing, which means you can use it on a variety of surfaces. It also generally includes a biodegradable chemical for removing elements like mold, dirt, and algae. It’s gentle enough for removing stains on surfaces such as wood panel siding, fences, and cedar shake. If you’re concerned about too much pressure on your wood surface, consider soft washing versus pressure washing.

You may hear “pressure washing” and “power washing” used interchangeably, but in fact, these are two different applications. Both use highly pressurized water for cleaning, but the difference with power washing is it uses hot water instead of cold. Because of the added heat, power washing is appropriate for only the most durable surfaces, like concrete driveways and patios, and is not recommended for wood.

How Much Does It Cost to Pressure Wash?

The cost to pressure wash a house or cost to pressure wash a patio, for example, depends on if it’s a DIY project or if you hire professionals. To rent the equipment yourself, it’ll cost from $35 to $175 per day. If you prefer buying the equipment, most pressure washers cost $100 to $1,000.

For those that would prefer to hire a professional, the average cost of pressure washing is $0.10 to $0.50 per square foot. Pressure washing wood does require using some serious machinery, and even though it’s a relatively easy task, it’s a lot of manual labor, and inexperienced DIYers can cause costly damage. In many cases, it’s best to leave it to a professional pressure washer near you so you know it’s done the right way.