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tom wildgen · Jul 17, 2009, 02:12 PM

What detergent is recommended for washing wood decks using the Husky H2000 powerwasher?

crigby · Jul 17, 2009, 07:33 PM

Hi,
There I am sure a variety of detergents available, but in the ingredients you should see at least one that the name ends in Hypochrorite. This is a bleach which will help with the cleaning
Peace,
Clarke

Fr_Chuck · Jul 17, 2009, 08:16 PM

First as a person who operated and trained people to power wash, we would never recommend using a power washer on a deck to start with.

What do you want as the result of the washing, are you planing on recoating the deck.

They make special deck cleaners to use prior to resealing the decks, and normally a brush with a garden hose is best.

Anything over 1000 PSI can easily do damage, and a 2000 PSI can easily cut lines into wood deck

crigby · Jul 18, 2009, 07:45 AM

Hi,
After reading and thinking about the above answer, I have to agree that a power washer is probably the wrong tool for wood. Upon reflection I realized that I have never used on on wood, and the time I saw some painters use one to remove loose paint from German lap siding produced what I would call unexceptable results.
I do stand by the hypochlorite part, even though some labels claim "no bleach" that is semantics. Any such chemical is "a" bleach, but is not the same as what standards say must be present to say "contains bleach."
Peace,
Clarke

ballengerb1 · Jul 18, 2009, 03:47 PM

I know that many pros recommend that you not use a pressure washer on decks but I must do it all the time. Older PT pine holds up pretty well eben with my 2500 psi machine but I do not hold the tip closer than about 9". I would not use it on cedar or any really soft wood. I then coat with Thompsons Water Seal with wood protector plus with a tint after a 2 days dry out. If you use Thompsons Advanced you don't have to wait for the dry out. I also agree with Clarke.