Deck Cleaning in Miami
A dirty deck can make your home look shoddy and older than it is. Without regular deck pressure washing, dirt and debris can eat away at the paint job and even the structure of a deck. A dirty or worn deck can hurt the resale value of your home. If you have a homeowner’s association, they may require you to have your deck cleaned from time to time.
GWS Pressure Cleaning offers professional deck pressure washing and cleaning that can make your deck look fabulous. We can eliminate the moss, algae, and fungus that cause damage to decks in Florida.
How Deck Pressure Washing Works
If you have tried scrubbing your deck with soap and water to no avail, you may have wondered if there is anything at all you can do to get your deck clean. You may think you need to use stronger chemicals or that you need to start working out more. However, the secret to a clean deck has more to do with the water’s pressure than with the type of cleaners you use or the amount of muscle you are putting into it.
A pressure washer is a hose that blasts water at 100 to 200 times the force of natural air. It can reach corners that a regular pressure cleaner would never be able to reach.
Why Pressure Washing Is the Best Way to Clean Your Deck
Pressure washing is more effective and faster than any other type of cleaning. Deck pressure washing can stop mold and mildew before they have a chance to develop.
If your deck is made of wood, it will be especially vulnerable to the development of mold and mildew. Mold grows faster in wet conditions, and no state has wetter conditions than Florida.
Most decks are made of wood, which is naturally more susceptible to mold than other materials, but some finishes can help to protect the wood. Mold can cause wood to rot and flake. If you have any metal accents on your roof, you should know that mold can cause the metal to rust. Any other type of cleaning besides pressure cleaning is likely to leave some mold behind. Pressure washing will blast mold and fungi off your roof.
Pressure washing is not only good for the basic cleaning of a wood deck, but it will also help to prepare your roof for stains and finishes. You must make sure to prepare the wood for treatment because seal and paint will not adhere properly to wood that is moldy or has fungus on it. In addition to pressure washing, the wood may need sanding since it is always easier to treat an even surface.
When wood is not cleaned properly before being treated or painted, the paint or stain will get directly onto the wood. When moisture gets into the wood, it can cause it to warp. It will also be a magnet for more mold.
Increase Your Home’s Value
Regular deck pressure washing will increase the overall value of your home. If a buyer arrives to see your home and the deck is moldy and covered with algae, they won’t want to have to remove, replace, or repair it when they move into the home.
In addition to pressure washing, hiring marble floor polishing contractors can significantly enhance the appearance and value of your home. Professional marble floor polishing contractors use advanced techniques and equipment to restore the shine and elegance of your marble floors, making them look brand new. This not only improves the aesthetic appeal but also extends the life of your marble surfaces.
Taking care of your wood will make it last longer. There are many things in the environment that can damage the wood, not just mold. The Sunshine State has high temperatures, and the sun can damage your wood. Pests can also eat through wood. In extreme cases, mold can leave holes in the deck which can destroy its structure.
When the paint is dingy, it can hide small holes, mold, mildew, and other problems. If you cannot see problems, you cannot fix them.
What is the difference between power washing and pressure washing?
You may have heard the terms power washing and pressure washing used interchangeably. A similar high-pressure washer is used in both of these forms of cleaning. However, power washing employs the use of very hot water. As you know from cleaning your home, hot water makes washing anything easier and faster.
Not every surface can handle power washing. You would not want to power wash a wood deck because the wood would not be able to withstand the heat. Power washing is most often used to clean surfaces such as driveways and parking garages, which are made of concrete and asphalt.
Why You Should Hire a Professional
Pressure washing machines are hard to handle. Water comes out of a pressure washer at a rate of 243 miles per hour. If you do not know what you are doing, you can easily fall over.
A professional washer will know just how to stand and hold the machine when they are using it. They will have the proper safety equipment to protect themselves when they work. A professional will also know how to prepare your home for pressure washing so it will not be damaged.
A good power washing machine is very expensive, so if you buy one from a home improvement store, you are likely to get one that is of inferior quality. But if you buy a high-quality machine, you may injure yourself if you are not trained to use it. If you hire a random laborer, they could injure themselves and sue you.
Why You Should Hire GWS Pressure Cleaning
With service areas catering to Coral Gables, Doral, Hialeah Gardens, and Kendall, we are available to clean your deck at your convenience. We are a family-owned business with many years of experience in pressure washing. We have a great reputation in South Florida for deck pressure washing and can provide you with many fantastic references.
We understand the special needs of Florida homeowners. There is no type of mold, mildew, or algae that we have not seen, and we use state-of-the-art equipment. We offer both high and low-pressure washing and can clean home exteriors, driveways, and much more. Give us a call today.
Wood, Composite and Tile Decks: Different Surfaces, Different Pressure
Not every deck should be cleaned the same way. The material under your feet decides how much pressure we use, which cleaning solution goes on first and how long it sits. Using one setting for everything is how decks get damaged. That is why we offer both high and low-pressure washing and match the method to your surface.
Wood Decks
Wood is soft and porous. For wooden decks, we use a soft wash or low-pressure wash with wood-safe cleaning agents. The solution loosens mold, mildew and algae so the water only has to rinse them away. This matters most on older or more delicate decks, where high pressure can do real harm. When wood is washed too hard, you can see it: fuzzy, raised fibers, splinters, light stripes across the boards, and gouges that trap water and invite more mold.
Composite Decks
Composite boards hold up well to moisture, but they still collect grime, pollen and mildew, especially in shady spots. They also call for a low-pressure wash. Too much force or the wrong chemical can scar the surface, leave blotchy faded patches or wear down the texture that gives the boards their grip.
Tile Decks
Tile is harder than wood, but the grout between tiles is not. Dirt and algae settle into the grout first. We match the pressure and solution to the tile and grout so we lift the buildup without blasting grout out of the joints or chipping tile edges. Harsh chemicals can also dull a glazed finish.
Not sure what your deck is made of? That is fine. We check the material before any water touches it. You can also read our guide to pressure washing vs. soft washing.
Pool Decks, Travertine and Pavers
If your deck surrounds a pool, it deals with more than rain and sun. Chlorine, bromine and salt splash onto it, sunscreen drips onto it, and it stays damp enough for algae to take hold fast. That greenish-black film is not just ugly. It is a slip hazard, especially when wet.
Pool decks in Miami are often poured concrete, pavers or travertine, and each needs a different touch. Concrete and brick pavers can handle higher pressure. Travertine and other natural stone need a gentler, low-pressure clean with pH-neutral solutions. Pavers also need attention in the joints and edges, where dirt and algae collect, with optional re-sanding and sealing afterward. When we rinse, we direct water away from the pool so cleaning solution does not end up in the water.
For a closer look at how we handle pool areas, see our page on pool deck pressure cleaning. If your outdoor space is more patio than deck, such as concrete, stone or pavers around the house, our page on patio pressure washing in Miami explains how we clean each patio surface. If you have both, just let us know when you call.
What a Deck Cleaning Job Involves
Here is what to expect when GWS Pressure Cleaning cleans your deck.
- Inspection. We start with a thorough look at your deck. We note the material, the age of the deck, how it has been cared for and any problem areas like mold, mildew or stains. That tells us which pressure and solution to use.
- Plant and furniture protection. We move furniture and cover young plants and delicate items so they are not harmed. If you have fragile pieces, it helps to move or cover them before we arrive.
- Pre-treat for algae and mildew. We apply a cleaning solution that breaks down algae, mold and mildew. This loosens the buildup so it comes off with less pressure, which protects your deck.
- Wash or soft wash. Wood and composite get a soft wash or low-pressure wash. Harder surfaces like concrete and pavers can take more pressure. Joints, edges and corners get extra attention.
- Rinse. We rinse the deck completely, taking care not to harm plants or paint and keeping water away from the pool.
- Optional sealing. Once the deck is clean, you can add sealing or staining to help protect the wood from the elements, UV rays and water damage.
We finish with a final inspection of the whole deck. Most jobs take a few hours, depending on the size and condition of your deck.
Deck Cleaning Across Miami-Dade
GWS Pressure Cleaning is a family-owned business serving homes and businesses across Miami-Dade and Broward County from two locations, Doral and Miami. Every neighborhood brings its own challenges. Shady, tree-lined streets keep decks damp and drop leaves that stain. Homes near the water deal with salty sea breezes. And everywhere, the humidity keeps mold and algae coming back.
If you live in the City Beautiful, see our page on deck cleaning in Coral Gables. Homeowners near the bay can learn more about deck cleaning in Coconut Grove. For homes and businesses throughout the city, visit our page on deck cleaning in Miami.
We are available 24/7. Call (786) 780-7189 to talk through your deck and set up a time that works for you.
Related Services
- Pool Deck Pressure Cleaning
- Patio Cleaning
- Fence Pressure Washing
- Paver Sealing Services
- Request a Quote
