Will Power Washing a Deck Next to a Pool Hurt Anything?

Covering the Pool

• Power washing the inside of your pool won't necessarily hurt it, especially if the pool is made of fiberglass or concrete. However, if your pool is full and you intend on power washing only the pool deck, you should cover the pool during the power washing process. Power washing will send a lot of dirt, debris and some wood splinters flying around, which could end up in your pool, making a mess you'll have to clean up later.

Moving Furniture

• If you have deck furniture, potted plants and other removable objects situated on the deck, move them before you start power washing. When power washing, it is best to have as few obstacles in the area as possible. Additionally, terracotta and clay pots, plastic furniture and glass may all be damaged by power washing. Power washing may also strip the paint off of painted metal or wood furniture.

When Not to Power Wash

• With obstacles out of the way and the pool covered up, your only concern should be the deck. If the deck is in good shape, it's ready to power wash. However, you should always perform a quick inspection of the wood before you start power washing. Minor damage, such as scratches, dents, dings, nicks and graying wood from sun exposure, is all okay. On the other hand, severe damage, such as splitting, cracking and rotting wood, means power washing isn't an option; the pressurized water may further damage the wood and the structural integrity of the deck.

How to Power Wash Your Deck

• Power washers come in many different strengths, which is measured in pounds per square inch, or psi. When working on a wood deck, you can't just use any power washer. Wood is best cleaned with a power washer that operates between 1,500 and 2,000 psi. Anything stronger than that will damage the wood. If you've never used a power washer before, test it on a piece of scrap wood. Start with a 25-degree nozzle tip; when you feel more comfortable using the power washer, move up to a 15-degree tip, which is more aggressive.