Fence and deck cleaning, gentle on wood and vinyl

What grows on fences and decks

Fences and decks sit low, close to lawns, shrubs and sprinklers, and many are shaded by trees or by the house itself. They stay damp longer than almost anything else in the yard, which makes them an easy place for algae, mildew and moss to settle in.

• Green film on vinyl fences, usually on the side facing the trees or the house. That's algae.
• Black spots on wood and vinyl, most often mildew.
• Gray, dull wood on decks and fences, where weather and growth have darkened the surface fibers.
• Slick patches on deck boards and steps that stay in the shade. Growth on a walking surface is a slipping hazard, not just a stain.

Vinyl fence cleaning

Vinyl fences are where algae is easiest to spot, because it shows up green against white and tan panels. It comes off well with a soft wash: a cleaning solution goes on at low pressure, kills the growth and is rinsed away, without the scratches that stiff brushes leave or the etched, chalky look high pressure can leave on older vinyl.

We clean the posts, rails, caps and panels on every side we can reach from your property. If a neighbor shares the fence and wants their side done too, we're happy to quote it.

Wood fence and deck cleaning

Wood is where high pressure does the most damage. A narrow, powerful stream tears into the soft grain and raises the fibers, leaving a fuzzy, “furred” surface, and it can carve lines that show through any stain applied later.

We clean cedar and pressure-treated wood at low pressure instead. The cleaning solution loosens the growth and grime so a gentle rinse can carry it away, and the wood comes out clean without being chewed up.

Cleaning is also the first step if you're planning to stain or seal. Stain and sealer only hold on a clean surface, and the wood needs to dry out completely before any coating goes on.

Composite decks

Composite and PVC decking doesn't rot, but it does grow mildew and algae, especially in shaded corners and in the gaps between boards. High pressure can scar its textured surface, so we clean composite the same way as wood: low pressure and a cleaning solution suited to the material.

Why we don't pressure wash fences and decks

• Wood: high pressure raises and furs the grain and can gouge the boards.
• Vinyl: older panels can be scratched or etched, and the damage is permanent.
• Growth: force knocks off the top layer but leaves the roots, so the green comes back fast.

The concrete patio under your deck and the walkway along your fence are a different story, because concrete can take the pressure. Power washing for patios and walkways. For the full comparison, see soft wash vs pressure wash.

Our fence and deck cleaning process

1. Look and quote. We check the material, the growth, how much fence or deck there is and what's planted along it, then give you a clear price.
2. Protect first. Plants, shrubs and lawn along the fence line and around the deck are soaked with water before any solution goes on.
3. Soft wash. A cleaning solution matched to the wood, vinyl or composite goes on at low pressure and is left to work on the growth.
4. Rinse and check. Everything is rinsed gently, plants included, and we walk the fence line and deck with you when we're done.

Pair it with a house wash

Fences and decks usually grow the same algae and mildew as the shaded walls next to them. Cleaning them in the same visit as a house wash means the whole backyard looks finished at once, not just the house.