Cleaning wooden fence with high-pressure cleaner

Has stubborn dirt, mold, and algae grown on the slats of your wooden fence over the years? Are the signs of weathering unmistakable? No need to worry: With a pressure washer, you can get your fence back in shape. Below, you'll learn everything you need to know.

You need to be especially careful when cleaning old, brittle, or rotten wood, as it's more susceptible to damage. Aging and weathering may already weaken the structure, increasing the risk of cracks, splinters, or breakage.

How can you tell if a wooden fence is brittle?

• Visual inspection: Look for visible cracks, holes, or rotten areas.
• Touch test: Check the wood for any weakening or brittle areas.
  
• Screwdriver test: Use a screwdriver to check the wood for ease of penetration.
  
• Knocking noise: Tap the slats lightly and listen for a hollow or dull sound.
  

If your wooden fence does not pass these tests, high-pressure cleaning is not recommended.

Careful preparation is crucial for effective pressure cleaning. For stubborn dirt, you can optionally use cleaning agents.

Prepare the work area

Use plastic sheeting

• Generously cover the ground around your fence with a plastic sheet.
• This is especially important when using pesticides or cleaning products.
• A sufficiently large plastic sheet from the hardware store allows you to cover plants and grass up to one meter around the fence.
• To save costs, you can alternatively use a smaller tarp for each work section.

Wire brush for stubborn dirt

• Use a wire brush, ideally made of stainless steel, to remove stubborn dirt.
• Be careful not to press them too hard onto painted fences.
• Alternatively, a plastic scrubbing brush is available at hardware and DIY stores.

Garden hose for cleaning

• After brushing, rinse the fence with a garden hose.
• Remove surface dirt by spraying with medium to high pressure.

Use the right high-pressure cleaner

For the gentle cleaning of wood and wooden fences, a high-pressure cleaner is required, which

• can be regulated to a low power level.
• has a variety of beam shapes.
• is easy to carry for comfortable working.
  

Depending on the type of dirt and the type of wood, different cleaning agents are suitable for wooden slats:

Mild soap solution

• For regular cleaning of wooden fences to remove dirt, dust and general grime.
• Application: Mix mild dish soap or wood soap with water and apply the solution with a sponge or brush. Rinse the fence thoroughly with clean water.

Wood cleaner

• For stubborn stains or special types of dirt.
• Application: Use special wood cleaners according to the manufacturer's instructions. These are designed to effectively remove dirt and stains.

Step 1: Test run – play it safe

To prevent damage, test the pressure washer on an inconspicuous area of ​​the fence. This will help you determine the optimal water pressure and the correct nozzle setting.

Step 2: Spray evenly

When spraying with the pressure washer, keep a distance of about one meter from the fence. This ensures even cleaning, as the water pressure is optimally distributed and stubborn dirt can be effectively removed. A consistent spray distance also allows for consistent cleaning performance across the entire fence surface.

Step 3: Pay attention to the spray direction and wood grain

Spray parallel to the grain to ensure gentle cleaning. This technique minimizes the risk of wood warping and ensures a thorough yet gentle cleaning result.

Step 4: Rinse thoroughly

Rinse the fence thoroughly from top to bottom with clean water. This ensures that no dirt or cleaning agent residue remains on the wood after cleaning.

Step 5: Post-treatment of the garden fence (optional)

Further treatments help to extend the lifespan of wooden fences:

• A single coat of varnish protects the fence from fungi and other pests for several years. However, the natural wood look will be masked.
  
• Stains, on the other hand, emphasize the vibrant wood grain. Thin- or thick-layer versions can be refreshed annually or biennially.
  

High-pressure cleaners can also effectively remove green algae, moss and algae.

• Make sure you use the right water pressure, the right nozzle, and the appropriate distance from the surface.
• Chemical cleaners or household remedies like vinegar and baking soda can be used. However, the latter require more work.
• To avoid damage, test on a small area first.