I find it easier to sell matching project.
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I push my customers to cleaning only. If they want to see the natural tone than I prepare them for at least annual treatment. Most have it stained once than forget about it until is very dirty.

www.marylandpressurewashing.me
**We do not use a pressure washer (power washer) in deck restoration. We exclusively use scrub brushing and deck cleaners to prepare the wood for a finish.
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I up sale to screen replacement. Most go for it because the decks typically have not been maintained and the screen is worn anyway. If the deck has been maintain and the outside of the railing needs more oil than I use paper (rolls from HD) on the screen and rag the stain on.

Maryland Pressure Washing www.marylandpressurewashing.me
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I started last year with a new strategy for dealing with semi trans acrylics (common from HD & Lowes). Acrylic semi trans are easier to stip than solid acrylics with over all short dwell time necessary to break the finish (mix Sodium Hydroxide with Flood or Sherwin William stripper). Even though they are easier to strip compared to solid acrylics I've become tired of dealing with stripping railings and sanding fuzzies on the pickets. My new strategy is to use SW Deckscape acrylic on the railing color matched to AC on the deck floor and rail cap. Semi trans and semi solids are best in this process for color matching. I took a board with 2 coats of stain to SW to be scanned. The formulas stay in the paint store system and becomes a standard mix. Now I can show customers sample board with both AC and SW side by side to aid in the sales appt. I strip, sand the floor and rail cap and clean the railing followed by re-coat of acrylic. The results are fabulous with over all short project time, looks good, no fuzzies to deal with and good profit margin. The novice does not complete at this level. So, it's easy to be one of the few to offer this kind of service and switching to oil sales itself. Horizontal surfaces are easier to deal with in the future because they are protected by oil. Many consumers do not even notice the texture difference between the two product types but of course I explain it to them. Acrylic on railing hold up well also. Below is a cedar deck stained with AC Cedar Semi Trans and the railing painted with color matched Deckscape acrylic.


I do not strip solid acrylics anymore because getting the profit margin my company commands is tough and dealing with chems is not at the top of my list. Solid acrylics are scrub brushed cleaned, feather sanded and a coat of Sherwin Willams Deckscape applied.
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Part 3—Sanding and Sealing

In Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, we described the equipment needed to clean your deck, and explained how to use it properly.  In this article, we will discuss the how to finish the job.  First, you must be sure that your deck has completely dried from the washing process.  This will take at least 24 hours. 

Next inspect the deck for raised fibers, and use sandpaper to smooth any out that you find.  Decks that are very old may require more extensive sanding.  If this is the case, you will want a power sander to do the job.  There is a variety of sanding equipments available.  For an amateur homeowner, palm and vibratory sanders may be the best choice because they pose the least risk for doing damage.  A disc or belt sander will cover more area quickly, but can damage the wood if not used carefully.

Before moving on to staining and sealing, you may want to take the additional step of using a brightener.  Though there is an extra cost, a brightener can restore the appearance of old, weathered wood.  If you choose to use a brightener, be sure to rinse thoroughly afterward, and again allow the deck to fully dry.

Once your deck is clean, dry and free of raised fibers, you are ready to stain.  Just as with deck cleansers, there are a myriad of deck staining products on the market to choose from.  There are three main categories of deck stain: Oil-based, water-based and acrylic-based.  Oil-based stains are the most popular among both homeowners and professionals, due to their ability to deeply penetrate the wood, which allows for better protection from moisture.  Water-based stains do not penetrate the wood deeply as oil-based stains do, but they do provide protection from the elements, and are very easy to apply and clean up.  Also, water-based stains don’t release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and are therefore considered a safer product to use.  Acrylic-based stains are a newer product on the market.  They apply very quickly, and have a similar performance to water-based stains.

Once you’ve chosen a stain, thoroughly reading the instructions is essential.  A paint brush will provide the deepest penetration, but sprayers and rollers are becoming more popular since they take less time.  One of the keys to a good finish is to not over-apply the stain.  When too much stain is applied, a film can form that may peel or crack over time.  It is generally best to work from the top down, so all of the rails should be stained first.  Then the stain should be applied beginning at the area adjacent to the house.  Finally, be sure to allow at least 24 hours for the stain to dry before using the deck again.

Call Carlton for Potomac, MD deck cleaning services.

Part 2—Cleaning the Deck

In the last article, we discussed how to select the proper equipment for a DIY deck cleaning project.  In this article, we will address how to use the equipment properly to achieve your desired results without damaging your deck.  Before beginning, be sure to remove all grills, furniture, planters and other items from your deck.  Any grease spills from your grill should be pre-treated with a solution of dish soap.

Before applying cleanser to the deck, rinse the deck with water.  This will aid the cleanser in spreading easily once it is applied.  Then, use the scrub brush to apply cleanser to the deck.  Most of the work of cleaning the deck will be done by the cleanser, not the pressure washer itself.   Many cleaning solutions should not be allowed to dry on the wood, so be sure to closely follow the manufacturer’s instructions and periodically mist if necessary.  Typically the manufacturer will recommend a soaking time of 20 minutes to enable the cleanser to adhere to the embedded dirt.

After waiting the recommended time for the cleanser to soak, it is time to rinse the deck.  It is important to not let the cleanser soak too long, as this can cause damage to the wood.  When first engaging the trigger of the pressure washer, point it away from the deck, people and other objects.  If the sprayer is pointed directly at the deck when first engaged, scarring on the deck surface can result.

Cleaning is typically started where the deck is adjacent to the house.  Begin sweeping by starting from the edge, then sweep the sprayer out from the house and then back toward it, being careful to maintain a consistent distance between the nozzle tip and the deck to ensure an even result.  A typical sweeping section might be about 3 feet wide.  Once the first 3 foot section along the length of the house is completed, the next 3 foot strip can be begun. 

A technique called “feathering” can be used to prevent lines from appearing between two sweeping sections.  To do this, make sure the second sweep overlaps the first sweep, working with the grain or length of the board.  An alternative to the sweeping technique is the long sweep, whereby you walk the entire length of a board, making sure to hold the nozzle at a consistent length from the surface.  It will typically take a few sweeps to complete one board in this manner.  After the whole deck has been washed, allow it to dry for 24 hours, and then re-inspect.  Imperfections that were invisible when the deck is wet may appear, and it may be necessary to re-clean some areas.

Call Carlton for Potomac, MD deck cleaning services.

Next Up: Part 3—Sanding and Sealing

So You Want to do DIY Deck Cleaning?

Part 1—Selecting the Equipment

As a homeowner with a deck, you know that if you want to maintain your investment you will have to periodically clean and seal it.  The only question is whether you choose to hire a professional or to do it on your own.  In this series of articles, we’ll explain what you should know if you’re considering taking on the challenge yourself.

The first decision to make is the type of pressure washer to use.  The minimum power you’ll need to effectively clean the deck is 1500 PSI (pounds per square inch).  Either a hot or cold water pressure washer may be used.  Many contractors will recommend using a washer in the 2800 to 3200 PSI range, but with added pressure comes added potential for damaging the deck.  If too much force is applied, it is possible to remove a considerable amount of wood from the surface of the deck, leaving behind a deep gash mark.  So if you don’t have experience with the equipment a lower PSI setting is preferable.

There are a range of nozzle tips available.  The tips convert the stream of water into a fan shape that spreads the water (and pressure) out over a wider area. 0 degrees produces a tight, concentrated and highly pressurized stream that will damage wood and should never be used on a deck.   15 degrees produces a relatively tight fan for use in tough cleaning jobs.  This size is frequently used by professionals, but may be too strong for an inexperienced user.  A 40 to 60 degree tip will produce wider fans that work well for home users.

The next thing to consider is which type of deck cleaner to select.  There is a huge variety available to choose from, including detergents, bleaches and even chemical solutions which will perform specific reactions with different types of wood.  Some are biodegradable, and will not damage the lawn or flowers around your deck.   The cleaner you choose will be based on a variety of factors, including the type of material your deck is made of, the age of your deck, and the level of soil.  As a DIY’er, you will need to carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions for a variety of cleaners before selecting the one that will best fit your needs.

Finally, you need to choose the right brush.  You will need a stiff bristle brush with a long handle.  A synthetic brush is a better choice than natural bristle depending on the cleaning solution you choose, because many cleaners will deteriorate a natural bristle brush.  Depending on the design of your deck, you may need more than one brush to adequately reach all surfaces.

Next Up: Part 2--Cleaning the Deck

By Carlton Mitchell at Carlton Cleans www.marylanddeckcleaning.me