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Power Washing your deck or patio - If you own a home, you should probably own a power washer. They come in handy, not only for a deck or patio, but for cleaning anything from outdoor furniture, the house, and the car to your mobile home or boat.

You might be familiar with the typical commercial power washer that you roll around. These are great, but you can pick up a nice 1200psi power washer that you carry around. For the homeowner, they can be a real work saver.

Shown at the right are two types of power washers. Typically the larger one might be in the area of 2400psi, while a handheld might be 1200 to 1500 psi. As we discuss power washing, you'll see the recommended psi settings for various tasks.

When washing your deck, you really do not want to use more than 1200 psi. You can use a larger power washer that might be 2500 psi, you just won't keep the nozzle an inch off the wood. As you move the nozzle further away, you lose pressure contact with the surface. The angle of spray also affects the pressure applied to the product. If you used a pinpoint nozzle, you could write your name in the wood and destroy it in the process. You'll want to select a nozzle that creates a fan effect.

It is important to be consistent in your technique. Never stop the wand on the wood. It's like spray painting. Move the wand in a bit of a pendulum fashion. I like to bring the wand down slowly, then run a couple feet along the wood, and then swing the wand up. Then overlap the next stroke. As you do it, you'll get the hang. If you're not doing it properly, you might see lines or areas that are not cleaned based on your motion and distance. Overall, you want to keep the wand at a constant distance from the wood. Try keeping it a distance so it cleans the entire width of a plank at once.

You can use a detergent with your power washer that is made specifically for decks and wood. You may find that water alone gives you a good cleaning. As you're cleaning, make sure you're not creating a fuzzy feel to the wood. This would be the fibers being torn up from the process.

Rule of thumb... Start farther away and work closer until you find the range that is cleaning your deck properly without doing damage. It's a slow, methodical process. Don't rush it or it'll show up in the finished product.

CAUTION: Never power wash composite decking or railing material. A cleaner and garden hose with a nozzle should be enough to clean it. Also, if you are power washing cedar, less pressure is required since the wood is softer.

The pressure that comes out of a pressure washer is capable of cutting your skin with close contact. As with any power tool, use caution. Be responsible when using any tool.

PSI chart for cleaning various outdoor items:

1200 - 1400 PSI
  Lawn Furniture
  Automobile-Garden Tools
  Soft woods (cedar)

1500 - 2200 PSI
   Wood decks
   Lawn Furniture

2200 PSI - more
    Concrete Sidewalks
    Patios
    Industrial Equipment

Use only as much pressure as is needed. Wear protective goggles at all times.