Deck cleaning that keeps the boards worth sealing
A deck is walked on barefoot and sealed afterwards, so how it is cleaned matters more than on any other surface. We clean composite and wood with solution and controlled low pressure, which removes the algae making it slick without leaving the torn grain that ruins a finish.
Reviewed
The problem this solves
A deck that is slick underfoot after rain, gone gray and blotchy, or due to be sealed and not ready for it.
Why a deck gets slippery
The slickness is a biofilm of algae growing in the surface of the boards, not water sitting on top of them. It thrives in shade and humidity, which describes most Tallahassee decks for much of the year. Killing the growth is what restores traction; drying the deck out does not.
Wood, composite, and why the method differs
Wood is porous and soft, so it takes solution and gentle pressure with the grain. Composite will not absorb but scars permanently under a wand and can be discolored by the wrong chemical. Both look similar underfoot and need genuinely different handling, so we identify the decking first.
Preparing a deck for stain or sealer
A finish bonds to sound, open wood. Pressure washing leaves a fuzzy torn surface that drinks stain unevenly and blotches within a season, so the cleaning method quietly determines how long your sealer lasts. We also let a deck dry fully before anything is applied — usually two to three days here.
Railings, steps and the parts that matter most
Steps are where slickness is actually dangerous and railings are what people touch, so both get hand attention rather than a fast pass. The underside of the bottom step and the base of each post are where rot starts, and clearing debris packed there is part of the job.
What cleaning cannot fix
Soft boards, popped fasteners, cupping and rot at the post bases are structural and cleaning only makes them easier to see. We photograph what we find and tell you plainly which boards should be replaced before you spend money sealing a deck that needs carpentry first.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS SERVICE
Deck cleaning questions
How do you clean a deck without damaging the wood?
With solution, dwell time and low pressure applied along the grain rather than across it. The chemistry kills the algae and lifts the gray; the rinse only carries it away. Nothing about cleaning a deck requires the pressure that damages one.
Can you clean a composite deck?
Yes, and it needs care rather than force. Composite does not absorb, so cleaning is straightforward, but a wand held too close leaves marks that cannot be sanded out and some cleaners will lighten the color permanently. We match the solution to the brand of decking where we can identify it.
How long after cleaning can I stain the deck?
Two to three days of dry weather in most Tallahassee conditions, longer in deep shade or after a heavy rinse. Sealing damp wood traps moisture under the finish, which is a common reason a stain job fails within a year despite being applied correctly.
Will cleaning stop my deck being slippery?
Yes, because the slickness is a living biofilm and the cleaning kills it rather than pushing it around. It will return over a season or two in shade, which is why a shaded deck is worth putting on a schedule instead of waiting until it is hazardous again.
Get deck cleaning scoped properly.
We inspect before we quote, so the price answers a defect we can show you rather than a guess.