Pressure Washing Old Wood Siding

I prefer a 1500 psi pressure washer.

Pressure washing old wood siding.

Pressure washer damaged wood photo by jon chapman. The jet of a pressure washer can actually damage the wood. While it s possible to wash wood siding correctly there s also a good chance that water will find its way up and under the exterior surface if you use high pressure. Starting low and gently working your way up is the safest bet.

If the wood is badly darkened or stained with mildew washing with a deck cleaning solution that includes sodium hydroxide can help brighten it. Bob vila interviews a contractor in the process of using a pressure washer to remove paint from exterior wood siding. Don t pressure wash shingle siding the pressure can knock the shingles loose. Look for a product designed for brightening deck wood and for use in a pressure washer and make sure your pressure washer allows for the intake of cleaning solutions.

Pressure washer safety pressure washers come with nozzles ranging from 0 degrees to about 40 degrees. Use a lower strength washer some commercial pressure washers are way too powerful to be used on an old wood house. The grit can cause damage as the wood moves with the wind and the changes in temperature. If you have a wood frame house with any kind of wood siding clapboards shiplap board and batten shingles etc there is an excellent chance that washing your house with a high pressure washer will shoot water up under the siding potentially soaking wall cavities insulation wiring flooring plaster etc.

There are several considerations before getting started. The exact procedures you will use depend on the condition of the old stain and the type of new stain that will be applied. They may be perfect for cleaning driveways but they will blast right through wood siding especially if there is any wood rot. A high powered pressure washer can also dent aluminum and vinyl siding.

From there water can damage insulation electrical wiring and can spur mold growth. Pressure washing can also remove many stains but care must be taken. A pressure washer can be used on any type of exterior wood siding including cedar shake or rough sawn cedar siding and t1 11 wood siding. Wood siding can benefit from a pressure wash as the grit that accumulates can be totally removed.

How to safely clean wood siding on a house.