If you have a vinyl deck at your home, you know how nice it is to not have to worry about extensive maintenance like you might get with a traditional wood deck. Vinyl decks certainly have plenty of benefits, but as an outdoor structure, they do need to be cleaned every once in a while. If you’ve never used a power washer before, they’re an effective way of keeping everything clean and tidy, but you do need to know how to use the tool first. Let’s break down how to safely and effectively use a power washer to clean your vinyl deck.

Familiarize Yourself With the Tool

If you hadn’t guessed by the name, power washers can pack quite the punch. They force with which they shoot water can sometimes be unexpected and overpowering, so it’s important that you know just what you’re dealing with. When you turn on your power washer, make sure you’re a reasonable distance away from your vinyl deck so that you don’t damage your deck’s surface in any way. You should always keep the nozzle a few feet away from the deck to prevent any unwanted damage to yourself or your deck. While using a power washer, you want to make sure that all children and pets are a safe distance away and can’t get caught in the crossfire.

Do Some Tests

Before you get really into the process and let your power washer do its thing, you may want to start slow. Instead of starting out at max power level, start at the lowest section and get a feel for just how strong it can be. You also need to be sure that you’re using the right nozzle. Nozzles aren’t interchangeable and make sense for specific applications, so taking the time to test a few out to see what works best for getting your deck clean is a smart move.

The Right Motion

As we mentioned earlier, power washers are strong! As such, it’s important that you don’t direct their force at any one area of your vinyl deck for too long. Instead, use a broad, sweeping motion which can help in getting all of those hard-to-reach areas. Moving your power washer in the correct movements not only prevents any kind of damage to your deck but also goes a long way in making sure you get everything properly cleaned and looking nice and new.

Trust Eastern Shore Porch and Patio

When you embark on your next project to erect a pergola on your property, trust Eastern Shore Porch and Patio to help. We service Bethany Beach, Ocean City, Lewes, Salisbury, and the Delmarva area. You can request a quote today! If you have questions or concerns, call us at 302-436-9520 or send us an email at info@esvinylproducts.com. For updates and ideas, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Youtube.