Restore Your Outdoor Beauty: A Guide to Power Washing Brick Pavers and Decks

Over time, even the most beautiful outdoor spaces can lose their luster. Your once-vibrant brick paver patio and pristine wooden deck can fall victim to dirt, grime, moss, and algae, especially with the changing seasons we experience here in Rochester Hills, Michigan. This buildup not only looks unsightly but can also create slippery, unsafe surfaces and contribute to the premature deterioration of your valuable outdoor investments. Fortunately, there’s a powerful solution: professional power washing.

Power washing, or pressure washing, is one of the most effective and efficient ways to deep clean exterior surfaces and restore their original appeal. It goes far beyond what a simple garden hose can achieve, using a high-pressure stream of water to strip away years of accumulated grime. For homeowners and business owners alike, it’s a crucial step in property maintenance that enhances curb appeal, extends the life of your materials, and ensures your outdoor areas are safe and inviting.

While DIY power washing might seem tempting, it comes with significant risks. Using the wrong pressure level, nozzle, or cleaning solution can cause irreversible damage, such as splintering wood on a deck, eroding the sand between pavers, or even scarring the brick itself. A professional team understands the nuances of different materials and uses commercial-grade equipment to deliver a flawless clean without compromising the integrity of your property.

Key benefits include:

• Enhanced Curb Appeal: Instantly boost the visual appeal of your home or business. A clean exterior looks more welcoming and can significantly increase property value.
• Improved Safety: Eliminate slippery mold, mildew, and algae that thrive in shaded, damp areas, reducing the risk of slips and falls for your family, guests, or customers.
• Prevents Damage: Grime and organic growth can trap moisture, leading to rot, decay, and cracking. Regular cleaning prevents this buildup, extending the lifespan of your deck and pavers.
• Prepares Surfaces for Staining or Sealing: If you plan to stain or seal your deck or pavers, power washing is an essential first step. It creates a clean, porous surface that allows the sealant to adhere properly, ensuring a longer-lasting, more protective finish.

Our comprehensive commercial power washing services are designed to keep business properties in Rochester Hills looking their absolute best, creating a positive first impression for clients and customers.

Power washing isn’t a one-size-fits-all job. The approach for a wooden deck is vastly different from that for interlocking brick pavers. Understanding these differences highlights why professional expertise is so important.

Power Washing Wooden and Composite Decks

Decks require a careful touch. High pressure can splinter wood, raise the grain, and leave permanent “etching” marks. Professionals start with a lower pressure setting and use fan-pattern nozzles to distribute the water evenly. Often, a gentle, eco-friendly cleaning solution is applied first to break down algae and mold, allowing the power washer to rinse it away effectively without excessive force. This method protects the wood while achieving a deep clean.

Power Washing Brick Pavers

Brick pavers are durable, but the joints between them are vulnerable. The main challenge is cleaning the pavers without dislodging the jointing sand that keeps them stable. A skilled technician will use specific angles and pressure levels to scour the surface of the bricks clean while minimizing impact on the sand. In some cases, after cleaning, it’s necessary to re-apply polymeric sand to the joints to ensure the pavers remain locked in place and to prevent weed growth.

After your deck and pavers have been professionally power washed, a little maintenance can go a long way in keeping them looking great.

• 1. Sweep Regularly: Keep surfaces free of leaves, dirt, and debris. This prevents organic matter from decomposing and staining the surface or promoting mold growth.
• 2. Address Spills Immediately: Clean up spills from food, grease, or drinks as soon as they happen to prevent them from setting in and causing permanent stains.
• 3. Ensure Proper Drainage: Make sure water isn’t pooling on your deck or paver patio. Proper drainage, sometimes aided by solutions like French drains, prevents water damage and the growth of moss and algae.
• 4. Consider Sealing: Applying a quality sealant after power washing provides a protective barrier against moisture, UV rays, and stains. This is a crucial step for extending the life and beauty of both wood and pavers.

Here in Rochester Hills and the surrounding Michigan areas, our properties endure a lot—from humid summers that encourage algae growth to harsh, snowy winters that leave behind salt and grime. Home and Commercial Services understands the specific challenges our local climate presents. We tailor our power washing techniques to combat these regional issues, ensuring your outdoor surfaces are not just clean, but also prepared to withstand the next season. Whether it’s removing stubborn grime from a commercial storefront or refreshing a residential patio after a long winter, our team has the local knowledge to get the job done right.

A pristine outdoor area is often the final touch after a thorough yard makeover. Consider scheduling a power washing service after a seasonal cleanup to have your entire property looking immaculate.