Get matched with top pressure washers in Chadron, NE

While power washing isn't a requirement before you stain a fence, it can make the job much easier and faster while reducing manual labor requirements. The stain will not work if the wood is full of dirt and dust, so power washing, sometimes called pressure washing, is a fast and effective way to prepare the wood for staining. Remember that you need to stain or repaint relatively soon after the wood has dried so that there isn’t time for dust and dirt to build up again. 

It is best to power wash your deck and sand it, as cleaning removes grime, mildew, and dirt, while sanding refreshes the wood and allows the stain to penetrate. You should clean your deck first, sand it, and then stain it. You should clean your deck annually, while sanding and staining only needs to be done every three years.

Cedar shake siding requires regular cleaning, or else it will grow mold and algae. However, a pressure washer can easily damage your cedar shakes if the water pressure is too high. We recommend cleaning with a garden hose instead. Review our guide to cedar siding maintenance if you’ve just finished your installation.

The amount of pressure, measured in psi, that you should use depends on what you’re washing. Very tough materials like concrete, stone, and masonry can handle a high psi of 2,500 to 3,000, but materials like wood require a bit of a lighter touch. To clean your wooden deck, you’ll want to use your pressure washer on the lowest setting, around 600 psi, especially if it’s made of soft wood like pine or cedar.