How to, Pressure washing a wood fence.
The Carpet Post - Blog by Simply SteamingPressure washing a wood fence or deck doesn't have to be a hard task.
Pressure washers basically come in two varieties. Either electric or gas powered. You can buy or rent one for a reasonable amount.
Generally you can rent a quite powerful gas powered unit for close to $38 dollars a day. You may even rent heated pressure washer units for a little bit more.
There are numerous uses for a power washer around the house as well as for businesses.
This article discusses working with one for cleaning fences. I suggest this to be a two day project. One for the repair and cleaning and one for the painting or staining. Right before the start of this venture gather up your supplies. You'll need an extension cord if using an electric washer. Gas if using a gas driven one. If you have a wood fence and there are missing or broken boards you'll need some boards for the restore work, nails or screws and a hammer or electric screwdriver, a saw to cut the boards to the right size.
Replace any broken or missing boards and reattach boards that are loose.
A note of caution here, pressure washers are very powerful and can cause you or someone close by damage. Never put your hand or any body part in front of one and never point it at anyone else.
They can also harm the surface that you are cleaning. Always start out by keeping your distance from the surface that you are about to clean.
Set the spray nozzle on wide or insert the appropriate nozzle (for those units that have replaceable nozzles), for a wide spray pattern. Hook up the power washer and start washing the fence. No detergent is required for cleaning wood fences.
Start at one end, at the top of the first plank 
and clean in a downward direction. Be sure to start further away from the fence and come nearer after you know what the washer will do to it. Always go with the grain. If you are tearing the surface up as you clean, either move back more, adjust the nozzle or change the nozzle to a wider spray pattern. Clean each board but don't hurry, keep in mind that a job worth doing is worth doing right.
The fence still needs to be stained or painted but wait until it completely dries first. Perhaps the next day is a good time to get back to the fence restoration project.
I suggest taking a break after finishing the fence washing. Have a beer and think about the remainder of the work. While your enjoying that beer think about all the other tasks that can be carried out with that pressure washer. Things like washing the car, deck, house, gutters, shed, patio, driveway, garage, sidewalk, landscaping blocks, etc.
For businesses; projects could include washing buildings, restaurant patios, garages, driveways, parking lots, etc.
Just bear in mind you may have to paint or stain some of those surfaces if you wash them as the paint may come off. So watch out for adding additional work to your list of things to do.
Article by Doug Haerle of Simply Steaming Omaha, NE
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