Pressure washer marks typically come from washing decks with too high water, and as a result, the deck becomes warped. These pressure washer marks will often appear as white lines on the wood surface. One way to remove these pressure washer marks is by using a paint scraper or coarse sandpaper and removing the outer layer of wood. Once the pressure washer marks are gone, you can finish repairing your deck by staining or painting it.
This can be done by scraping off all of the loose areas first, then going back and removing any remaining patches. The other option for removing these pressure washer marks is to use a power sander with 80 grit sandpaper to rub-down the warped areas until they are flat again. It is important to know how to remove pressure washer marks from deck. However, there are some cases where the marks have gone too deep into the wood and sanding will not work. In this case, it is best to contact a professional restoration company to have the deck repaired.
Step to Follow on How to Remove Pressure Washer Marks From Deck
Step One: Determine the Damage
Pressure washer marks are caused by high-pressure water blasting across deck boards. The force of the spray and subsequent drying cause the wood to warp and splinter, leaving unsightly black or dark brown stains. These pressure washer marks look bad and will worsen if not removed, so take a moment to inspect your deck to determine the damage. In some cases, the pressure washer marks can be sanded away with a hand sander or power sander. If the damage is more severe, you may need to replace individual deck boards.
So I went ahead and looked it up. Yup, those marks are pressure washer marks. They will never come out, so you might as well just replace the boards or live with them there. The problem is that they’ll always be darker than the rest of the wood because even as new growth comes in over the top of them, there’s still ‘old’ wood there. It’s like a scar, it’s going to be darker and visible as long as the wood itself lives.
Step Two: Determine the Type of Wood
Either softwood or hardwood can cause pressure washer marks. Knowing this will help you determine how to treat and repair your deck boards. Softwoods such as pine warp easily and are more susceptible to wood movement. Hardwoods such as maple hold up well under pressure washer use but will still experience some damage. The best way to avoid pressure washer marks is to use a low pressure setting and hold the wand at an angle.
I have a deck that is pressure-washed annually. It is made of cedar, and for the first couple of years, stain and watermarks were apparent on the boards, with room darkening. After a few years, those things all but disappeared. Someone told me that any wood would become more water-resistant after time, and the old stain would either come off or be very light.
Step Three: Sand Away Wood Splinters
Pressure washer marks can splinter the wood, leaving small bits of debris in the wood. Start by using a stiff scrub brush to remove these splintered pieces and other loose debris such as dirt and mud. Next, use a vacuum cleaner hose to get into the cracks between each board and remove all flotsam and jetsam.
Then, take your power sander and carefully sand each board to remove the pressure washer marks. Start with 80-grit paper on the sander, gradually work up to 120-grit paper for a smooth finish, and then switch to 150-grit paper for an even smoother finish.
Step Four: Stain the Deck
Use a quality oil-based stain to revitalize your deck or natural wood fence. Many types of wood stains are available in most hardware stores, big-box retailers, and home improvement centers. Most are formulated with an alkyd resin base with synthetic pigments that create incredible depth of color.
Pressure washer marks are caused by high-pressure water blasting across deck boards. The force of the spray and subsequent drying cause the wood to warp and splinter, leaving unsightly black or dark brown stains. These pressure washer marks look bad and will worsen if not removed, so take a moment to inspect your deck to determine the damage.
Step Five: Stain the Deck Again
If you aren’t happy with the results, apply a second coat of stain. Allow the stain to dry for at least 24 hours before you put anything on your deck or natural wood fence. Pressure washer marks are caused by high-pressure water blasting across deck boards.
The force of the spray and subsequent drying cause the wood to warp and splinter, leaving unsightly black or dark brown stains. These pressure washer marks look bad and will worsen if not removed, so take a moment to inspect your deck to determine the damage.
Step Six: Clean Up
Pressure washer marks are caused by high-pressure water blasting across deck boards. The force of the spray and subsequent drying cause the wood to warp and splinter, leaving unsightly black or dark brown stains. These pressure washer marks look bad and will worsen if not removed, so take a moment to inspect your deck to determine the damage.
There’s your problem. All you need is some sandpaper (and maybe a can of wood stain and you can repair your deck and restore it to its former glory. The problem is that they’ll always be darker than the rest of the wood because even as new growth comes in over the top of them, there’s still old wood there. This will help in how to remove pressure washer marks from deck.
Step Seven: Maintain Your Deck
To keep it looking its best, clean your deck with a pressure washer once or twice a year. This will remove oil and dirt buildup that can collect over time, but be careful not to use too high of an angle on the stream, so you don’t create additional pressure washer marks.
Pressure washer marks are caused by high-pressure water blasting across deck boards. The force of the spray and subsequent drying cause the wood to warp and splinter, leaving unsightly black or dark brown stains. These pressure washer marks look bad and will worsen if not removed, so take a moment to inspect your deck to determine the damage.
You Can Check it Out to Remove Composite Deck Screws
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Ruin a Deck by Pressure Washing?
Yes, it is possible to ruin a deck by pressure washing. This can happen if the cleaning solution is too strong or not diluted properly.
Here Are Some Things That Could Lead to Ruining Your Deck :
1. The cleaning solution used was too strong and will cause irreversible damage like bubbling paint, discoloration, and cracks in the wood or metal frames of the deck.
2. The cleaning solution was diluted improperly which led to clogged filters which caused severe problems with water damage as well as electrical short circuits in outdoor lighting fixtures attached to the decks.
Should I Sand My Deck After Power Washing?
No, you should not sand your deck after power washing. There are a few benefits of power washing over using a pressure washer, and this includes the removal of mildew, algae, moss, lichen, and mold.
However, if you are looking for an even more thorough cleaning process, then you can use a power washer to remove all the loose dirt from your deck. This will help prevent future problems such as stains or mold growth on your deck surface.
How Long Can You Wait to Stain a Deck After Power Washing?
It is best to wait at least 2 hours before staining your deck. The best time to stain a deck after power washing is between 12-24 hours depending on the type of deck you have and the amount of rain or humidity in the air.
Conclusion
Pressure washer marks are not a major concern for most people, but they can be an issue if you want to sell your home. If you’re looking for the best way to remove pressure wash stains from wood decking without damaging it, try using white vinegar and baking soda; these two natural ingredients should do the trick.
The only other option is removing all of the boards in question and replacing them with new ones. Hopefully, this article has given you some insight into how to go about fixing your deck’s appearance so that it will look fantastic when selling your house. In addition, the article has been a good guide on how to remove pressure washer marks from deck.
You may also read it: How to Clean a Wood Deck Without a Pressure Washer
