How Much Does It Cost to Pressure Wash a Deck?

Deck pressure washing uses a strong stream of hot water to break away and remove dirt, grease, and grime from a deck to thoroughly clean the surface. It revitalizes the deck’s appearance and also helps prepare it for possible staining or painting.
The cost to pressure wash a deck ranges from $150-$200; this will effectively clean a 500 sq.ft. deck, with the average cost being $175. The price varies depending on the amount of dirt buildup on the decking.

Deck Pressure Washing Cost

Power Washing vs. Pressure Washing

Many people use the terms power washing and pressure washing interchangeably, but they are different processes. Both rely on high-pressure water, but the power washing machine heats the water, while pressure washers do not heat the water. The cost to power wash a deck tends to be about the same as pressure washing.

Power washing is quick and effective. It also does not take a great deal of time to successfully clean even a heavily soiled deck. However, some surfaces simply cannot handle the water pressure and heat of power washing. Deteriorated wood might start to break up from the water’s onslaught. Typically, professional power washers use a detergent with the machine which can also adversely harm surrounding plant-life.

Pressure washing does not use heated water so some mold and mildew might not respond even with the use of chemicals to try to clean away the heavily soiled surface. Many surfaces such as fragile wood respond better to pressure washing since the cleaning method does not use hot water.

Deck Pressure Washing Price Per Square Foot

The price to pressure wash averages $0.30-$0.40 per sq.ft. If you plan on pressure washing your deck then you should have a professional perform the job because it involves a combination of high-pressure water and detergent which can damage surfaces and surrounding landscaping.

Below is a table outlining the different deck sizes and the cost to pressure wash each one.

Pressure Washing Prices Per Hour

You can hire a professional pressure washer to quickly and thoroughly clean your deck. Typically, they charge by the sq.ft., but on occasion they will charge by the hour. Professional pressure washers charge $50-$150 per hour. They will use the high pressure water stream produced by the washer to quickly break away dirt, mildew, and grime from the deck’s surface. For heavily soiled areas, they might opt to put detergent in the machine and give the surface a light scrubbing. For a 500 sq.ft. deck, it will take about an hour to two hours to clean.

Price to Pressure Wash a Deck by Material

Pressure washing should always be undertaken by a professional because the powerful stream of water can damage some decking if not applied at the right pressure. This is especially true for wood decking. The average cost to pressure wash a deck does vary depending on the decking material because some decking material such as wood and composite require greater time and care than aluminum.

Pressure Washing a Wood Deck

Wood decking has a very porous surface, which can easily be peeled away or damaged by a powerful blast of water. Also, wood decking is often painted or stained which can easily start to peel away. In some instances, pressure washing is actually used to effectively remove all paint prior to applying a new coat. Please remember, wood decking that undergoes pressure washing is very susceptible to damage if the job is not carried out properly.

• Always pressure wash wood decking at low pressure, use 1,500 pounds per square inch (PSI).
• Scrub the deck prior to pressure washing for best results.
• Use a synthetic brush to scrub spots that are not coming clean with the pressure washer.

Pressure Washing an Aluminum Deck

Power washing will easily restore the appearance of an aluminum deck. It can lift away dirt and mildew with ease, especially when used in combination with a detergent. Also, aluminum decking stands up well to high pressure without sustaining damage. Since aluminum decking can handle hard cleaning, it takes less time because you can scrub the surface and hit it with a heavy stream of water. With less time required, it tends to cost less to clean.

• Apply a deck cleaner to loosen dirt before pressure washing.
• Use a soap dispensing nozzle.
• Scrub with a stiff bristle brush to loosen hard-to-clean areas.
• Use the widest spray nozzle to spray away all soap and debris from the deck’s surface.

Composite Deck Pressure Washing

Typically, composite decking stands up to the elements well and will respond nicely to pressure washing. However, it cannot handle sustained high pressure. Always pressure wash composite decking at low pressure (use 1,500 pounds per square inch (PSI)). The cost to power wash a composite deck tends to be on the high end due to the time involved in safely carrying out the cleaning. Composite decking is the most expensive of all decking materials to pressure wash because it requires light scrubbing throughout and a low-pressure water stream to gently clean the surface.

• Check the deck’s warranty because sometimes pressure washing nullifies the warranty
• Use a fan tip and hold it at least 8 inches from the decking material
• Scrub hard stains using a soft bristle brush
• Allow to air dry

Cost to Pressure Wash and Stain a Deck

The cost to pressure wash and stain a deck made of wood that measures 500 sq.ft. averages about $175 for the pressure washing and an additional $1,750 to stain the deck. The total average price to pressure wash and stain a deck is about $1,925. Some pressure washing companies will also stain the deck. However, in most cases a painting contractor will pressure wash the deck prior to staining the surface.

Deck Pressure Washing Prep Work

Typically, the prep work is an additional fee when pressure washing a deck. Professional pressure washers charge $50-$150 per hour., so if you want them to remove the deck furnishings and clear away debris then there will be an added cost. If the deck is heavily soiled and takes additional applications of cleaner then they will also charge for the additional time that it takes to carry out those functions.

Deck Pressure Washing Cost Factors

There are many factors involved in calculating how much it will cost to pressure wash a deck. The size of the deck is a main factor, considering that most professional pressure washers charge by the square foot. Additionally, whether the deck is heavily or lightly soiled matters because the pressure washer might need to spend extra time cleaning the deck and applying additional detergents, which will increase the cost per sq.ft. or the hourly rate charged. The condition of the deck also makes a difference because decks that are decaying or heavily mildewed will cost more since they take extra time to effectively clean. Please remember that if the wood or other decking material requires repairs then the final costs will increase, depending on the repairs needed.

Deck Pressure Washing Hazards

Pressure washers are powered by either a gas or electric motor. They consist of a motor, pump, and a highly concentrated nozzle that increases the water’s pressure by 30 to 80 times as it leaves the house. Most pressure washers easily generate from 1,500 to 4,000 psi. The spray can be extremely hazardous to human skin because it can quickly cause bruises and lacerations.

Damage Caused by Pressure Washing Your Deck

The powerful burst of water from the pressure washer can leave grooves in wood and composite decking if you use a pressure that is too high. Composite decking will actually start to chip under the water’s onslaught. Wood pieces can also break away and, in extreme cases, the boards can even start to crack. Areas of the wood that have already started to split from age and use will become worse as the water divides the broken area further. If the psi is set too high then the water stream can damage wood and composite material by chipping and peeling the surface. If the decking is painted and the psi is too high then the water will peel away the painted surface of the deck.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Deck Repair Cost

Prior to pressure washing your deck, you might want to explore deck repair costs if the deck is in poor shape. The cost to repair a deck usually averages about $700 to replace five to six damaged boards. Replacing missing nails, screws, or other hardware averages $150.

Deck Pergola Cost

If you want to build a deck pergola prior to pressure washing the deck then the average cost of a pergola is $3,500 when constructed from cedar wood that measures 10 ft.

Deck Sealing Cost

Sealing a deck helps protect the wood from both UV exposure and water. The chemical composition of the sealant makes water bead up on the surface of the deck instead of penetrating the wood so it offers optimum protection from decay. Many people opt to seal their deck annually after pressure washing. The pressure washing removes the dirt and debris so a fresh coat of sealant can be applied to the deck’s surface. The average cost to seal a deck that measures 300 sq.ft. averages $450.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Maintain your deck by pressure washing it annually to remove any stains, mold, or mildew. Pressure washing once a year helps your deck last longer while maintaining its appearance. Typically, pressure washing should be performed in the spring.
• You can invest in a pressure washer and undertake the task yourself. However, great care should always be taken not to use too high of a water pressure setting or you could damage the deck’s surface. Also, always take great care when operating a pressure washer because you can bruise or lacerate your skin.
• If you want to hire a pressure washer then you should always get at least three to five estimates to determine the average cost and find out who is offering the most for the money. Ideally, you should go with the estimate that provides an affordable average cost.
• Insurance is added protection. Choosing a company that carries both commercial and general liability will help protect against potential damages that might occur to your deck as a result of pressure washing.
• Always ask the pressure washing contractor that you want to hire for past references and search for reviews online to make sure that they provide quality work.
• Some decks have electrical outlets so you should always talk with the contractor about any potential electrical needs. Always make sure the contractor is aware of where the outlets are throughout the home and around the deck. Electric power washers require an outdoor ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) socket to operate safely.
• Some companies have gas pressure washers and others have electric pressure washers. You will want to find out if you might be responsible for the electricity used by the electric pressure washer. Some pressure washing contractors charge less to use electric pressure washers so the cost evens out with that of a gas pressure washer.
• In some states, wastewater permits are required when you pressure wash a deck. The contractor should always acquire all necessary permits for your municipality before undertaking the pressure washing job.
• In some states, an occupational license is required for all contractors who work using a pressure washer. Also, all EPA guidelines should be followed to avoid potential fines.