How to Pressure Wash a Fence to Bring It Back to New

Pressure washing can quickly and efficiently remove stains and dirt from a number of outdoor features, including your fencing. Before getting started, though, it’s important to know about the dos and don’ts of using such a power tool, including what you need to do to protect your fence from damage and keep yourself safe from pressurized splashback. The following guide will show you exactly how to pressure wash a fence, but if you’re short on time hiring a power washing service near you can free you up to focus on other home tasks.

Prepping to Pressure Wash a Fence

How you prep for pressure washing is arguably the most important step in the whole process. In order to prevent damages or bodily harm, there are a few things you absolutely must do before getting started. 

Begin by removing any nearby obstacles or objects that may become damaged from splashback (like garden furniture, for example). Cover anything you can’t move with a drop cloth or plastic sheet and seal to prevent waterlogging with duct tape. 

Next up, make sure your machine is set to the right pressure. Pressure washers can emit anywhere from 500 to 3,500 PSI (or pounds per square inch of pressure). Wood can only handle so much pressure before it begins to crack or splinter, so you’ll need to make the necessary adjustments to prevent that from happening. In general, stay between 500 and 800 PSI when working on softwood, and no higher than 1,300 PSI on hardwood. On the flip side, fences made from materials like vinyl and wrought iron can handle much more pressure—up to 2,000 PSI for the former and the latter up to 2,300 PSI. 

From there, you’ll need to pick the appropriate pressure washer nozzles for applying and rinsing a cleaning solution. A black, soap nozzle is designed only for spraying soap, and a 25-degree, green nozzle is what’s typically suggested for rinsing wood—both hard and soft. For vinyl or wrought iron, you can also use a 15-degree, yellow nozzle without causing damage, but never use a zero-degree, red nozzle in any case because the pressure is too extreme. 

Finally, gear up with goggles and ear protection to protect your eyes and ears from splashback and noisy machinery and check the direction of the wind. If it’s blowing towards you when standing in front of the fence, you’re going to get more splashback than usual, so it might be better to plan on doing such a task on another day. 

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

The cost to pressure wash a fence is slightly lower if you choose to go the DIY route—just $90 instead of $150. However, you may still want to hire a pro if you don’t feel confident using a pressure washer, because this power tool can cause serious harm if you don’t know what you’re doing. Plus, hardware stores often have long wait times for such rentals, so turning to a pro might be the best option if you need a quick solution.