Pressure Washing Wood - Should We Do It During the Restoration Process?

Short Answer: No.

Pressure doesn’t clean wood. The whole process of wood restoration involves using the right chemicals to restore exterior wood, and to lift the old sealer or stain up to the surface so it can be rinsed off and ready for a new coating. When you use a pressure washer for more than just rinsing, you risk causing irreparable damage to a wood surface - lines, scars, and etching can appear on any wood surface: deck, fence, wood-sided home, anything! These marks will be accentuated when stained or sealed over. It is recommended to use less than 1000 PSI when rinsing to avoid accidental damage. Whether you’re a homeowner or contractor, it is highly recommended to use pressure washers only to rinse off the wood surface. If you want to learn more about this topic, we suggest watching some of the “Wizard of Wood” videos linked below for more helpful advice!