Are you looking for ways to give your deck a much-needed refresher? Deck cleaning is an important part of maintaining the look and quality of outdoor living spaces, but with so many factors to consider, it can be difficult to know just how best to price this job. In this article, we'll break down all the steps involved in properly pricing out a professional deck cleaning service to ensure you get the best value without sacrificing quality. Read on as we take an in-depth look at what goes into quoting and performing successful deck cleanings!
Step 1: What are we cleaning?
There are several different surfaces that decks can be made of that make the job easier. Wood is the most traditional material used for decks and requires an annual scrubbing with a mild detergent and a softwashing approach. Alternatively, composite decks consist of wood fibers and polymers combined together; these often have a textured surface that makes dirt easier to remove without damaging the topcoat. Composite decks also only require a light pressure washing once a year. Lastly, vinyl decking tends to be the easiest option when it comes to cleaning since its smooth surface rarely needs more than sweeping or rinsing with just water. Which ever type of deck you have, Decks in general are very fibrous material which could be damaged during an abrasive pressure washing type cleaning, which makes this an ideal surface for low pressure softwashing.
Step 2: What do you use on the deck to clean it?
Deck cleaners come in a variety of forms, ranging from mild soaps to powerful chemicals like bleach and oxalic acid. Bleach is one of the most common chemicals used for deck cleaning due to its strength and disinfecting properties, however it should be used with caution as it can damage certain fabrics or furniture if they come into contact with it. Oxalic acid is also effective but less abrasive, making it an excellent solution for wood materials.
Step 3:
How big of an area is your deck?
This ones easy, how big is the surface we are cleaning? The most common way to measure your deck is with a measuring wheel. This round tool calculates the length a side of your deck. Its a linear measurement but we take the length of one side and then we multiply it by the length of the other side. This gives us the square footage