Deck & Patio Cleaning

Wood decks across Oregon and Western Washington turn gray from UV exposure and black from mildew. The gray is dead wood fiber on the surface; the black is mold growing in the grain. AWP Exterior Cleaning starts with a cleaning solution to kill mold and lift dirt, then rinses at low pressure (500-800 PSI). High pressure tears up the wood grain and leaves it fuzzy. After cleaning, the crew applies a brightener to neutralize the cleaner and restore the wood's natural color. The deck needs 48 hours to dry before staining or sealing.

Composite decking doesn't absorb stain, but it grows algae in the texture. The crew uses a softwash solution and a light scrub to clean it without scratching the surface. Composite is softer than wood, so pressure has to stay low. Some older composite brands fade or chalk over time — cleaning won't fix that, but it'll remove the organic growth.

“The gray on a wood deck is dead wood fiber on the surface — cleaning and brightening removes it and restores the wood's natural color.”

Concrete patios get the same treatment as driveways: surface cleaner, high pressure, pre-treatment for stains. Pavers need lower pressure to avoid blowing out the joint sand. If the sand is already gone, cleaning will make that obvious, and you'll need re-sanding afterward.

Wood deck cleaning takes 3-5 hours depending on size and condition. Composite is faster because there's no brightening step. If you're planning to stain or seal, Chris schedules that 2-3 days after cleaning once the wood is fully dry. Oregon and Western Washington's weather doesn't always cooperate, so scheduling depends on the forecast.

AWP Exterior Cleaning handles wood decks, composite decking, concrete patios, and paver patios across the service area. The crew adjusts pressure and cleaning method based on the surface type and condition.