powerwashing 3rd story deck

I’m trying to get rid of the mold on a third story deck, and was told that powerwashing with a bleach detergent was the best solution. (Scrubbing just moves the mold around.) But I’m afraid the runoff will damage my downstairs neighbors’ gardens. Is there a safe or less intrusive solution?

kks

in Decks and Porches 12 years and 11 months ago

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brucef | 12 years and 11 months ago

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Steve, Yeah you are probably correct, in that a homeowner could damage his decking. I am reminded of what my mason once told me. He said it took him a long time to learn how to handle a power float… with one hand so he could drink a beer with the other. You do need to select a wider nozzle on the pressure washer and stay a few inces off of pressure treated decking to avoid damaging the physical surface. Trex is more durable.

Arkady | 12 years and 11 months ago

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I do what Steve says except I brush the cleaner on too. I’ve done it for years & have not killed any plants.

stevecym | 12 years and 11 months ago

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We clean decks for homeowners and would never power wash a deck. the pressure of the washer can damage the wood. Here is what you should do, go to Lowes and find Olympic deck cleaner. Buy a pump sprayer and spray the deck cleaner onto the deck (follow the directions). Rub it around with a stiff bristle broom or floor brush. Let it sit for 5 or 10 minutes. Hose it off. The Olympic product is supposedly formulated so as not to damage fabric and plants (please don’t hold me to that). After a couple of days, I would treat the deck with wood sealer so it resists dirt and mold a little better. Steve http://brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/tinkerswagon

brucef | 12 years and 11 months ago

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What most people don’t understand, is that pressure washing physically removes the dirt/mold that the chemical agents have loosened. It probably works more quickly than a garden hose, but the sovent liquifies that which you want to remove, and the water carries it away. Depending on the solvent you use (even Simple Green may work), it will be diluted to harmless by the vastly greater quantity of water.