After a Chicago-area winter, decks and patios take a beating. A season of freeze-thaw cycles, ice, road salt spray, and snow mold leaves outdoor surfaces looking gray, green, and weathered. A proper spring cleaning restores them remarkably well — often revealing surfaces that look far newer than expected.
Wood Decks
Wood decks — whether pressure-treated pine, cedar, or redwood — require the most careful approach. Too much pressure can raise the wood grain, damage the surface, or force water into the boards. The goal is cleaning without abrasion.
Recommended approach for wood:
- Use a low-to-medium pressure setting (600–1,200 PSI) with a fan nozzle (25-40 degrees)
- Apply a wood deck cleaner or brightener first to treat graying, mildew, and tannin stains
- Wash in the direction of the wood grain, keeping the nozzle moving
- Allow the deck to dry completely (48-72 hours) before applying stain or sealer
Composite and Trex Decks
Composite decking (Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon, etc.) is more forgiving than natural wood but still requires care. Most manufacturers recommend against using high-pressure washing above 3,100 PSI and within 8 inches of the surface. Composite is particularly prone to visible damage from fan-pattern etching if the nozzle is held too close.
A good composite deck cleaning uses moderate pressure with a wide fan nozzle, working in the direction of the board's texture. For mold and mildew staining, a composite-safe cleaning solution applied first dramatically improves results.
Concrete Patios and Stamped Concrete
Concrete patios respond extremely well to pressure washing. A surface cleaner attachment delivers even, consistent results across large flat areas without the striping that can occur with a wand. Stamped concrete requires extra care — the texture can trap debris, and the sealant can be damaged by excessive pressure.
Brick and Natural Stone Patios
Brick and natural stone are durable but have porous surfaces that can harbor biological growth deeply. A soft wash treatment kills the algae and mold at the root, then moderate pressure rinsing removes the debris. After cleaning, applying a penetrating sealer helps prevent rapid re-soiling.
Spring timing: The ideal time to clean your deck in DuPage County is late April through May, after temperatures are consistently above 50°F but before you want to use the space. This also allows time for any staining or sealing to cure before heavy use.
Furniture and the Surrounding Area
While we're cleaning the deck, it's a great time to clean your outdoor furniture, the adjacent fence sections, and the surrounding patio area. A comprehensive cleaning makes the whole outdoor space look cohesive and well-maintained. Contact AMH Pressure Wash to schedule your deck and patio cleaning this spring.
