Yes, power washing can damage a wood deck if done improperly. High pressure can gouge, splinter, or strip too much wood from the surface. To avoid damage:
- Use a pressure washer with a PSI of 500-1200, suitable for softwood.
- Use a fan-tip nozzle to spread the water pressure evenly.
- Always work along the grain of the wood to minimize damage.
- Roof Soft Washing: Use a biodegradable cleaning solution with algaecides (like sodium hypochlorite mixed with water) to kill moss and algae without harming the roofing material.