Deck Cleaning in Delaware
Deep-Cleaned Decks for Delaware Homes
A deck takes a beating from the weather it lives under, and the humid summers and coastal salt air along this stretch of the Mid-Atlantic are about as hard as it gets. Green algae, mold, and mildew take hold fast, and porous wood soaks it all up until the boards go gray and slick underfoot. Decks here need cleaning more often than they would in a drier climate, and putting it off only lets the growth dig in deeper.
We clean composite, wood, and cedar decks, and we match the method to the material every time: a gentle wash for composite, a full deep-clean for wood and cedar. That difference is the whole job, and it’s why our decks come out looking right instead of streaky. At Ortiz Pro Wash, we treat each material the way it actually needs to be treated.
If your deck has seen better days, give us a call at (302) 228-6599 and we’ll take a look.
The Deck Types We Clean in Delaware
Every deck material takes a different approach, and we match the method to what you have.
Composite Decks
Composite is essentially plastic, and it cleans up easily. We apply a higher-ratio cleaning solution, let it dwell for five to ten minutes, and rinse with moderate pressure. That’s usually all it takes to bring a composite deck back to looking like new.
Wood Decks
Wood is porous, so it needs more than a rinse. We pre-treat the surface, work in an emulsifier to pull contamination up out of the pores, pressure wash the deck board by board, and finish with a wood brightener that restores the natural look. Salt air and humidity are especially tough on wood out here, which is why this fuller process matters.
Cedar Decks
Cedar gets the same treatment as wood, with extra care because cedar is a softer material. We pre-treat, apply the emulsifier, wash board by board, and finish with a wood brightener. One honest detail worth knowing: cedar takes medium pressure only, applied evenly, so the coverage stays consistent and the finish looks even across every board. The same care carries over to cedar shakes on a home’s exterior, which we handle as part of our house washing work.
What Sets Our Deck Cleaning Apart
Here’s why homeowners hand us the deck rather than renting a machine and hoping for the best.
A Method Matched to Your Deck's Material
Composite, wood, and cedar each respond to a different approach. Composite gets a gentle higher-ratio wash and a moderate rinse, the same read-the-surface judgment we bring to all of our pressure washing work; wood and cedar get the full pre-treat, emulsifier, board-by-board wash, and brightener. Matching the method to what you actually have is what protects the boards and gives you a finish that looks right the first time.
We Inspect Your Deck Before We Touch It
We check every deck for structural integrity before we start. If a deck is in poor structural condition, we’ll tell you straight; cleaning it won’t fix it, and we’ll point you toward the right next step. It comes down to respecting your property and keeping our crew safe on the job.
A Wood Brightener Finish, Not Just a Rinse
On wood and cedar, we don’t stop at clean. A wood brightener applied at the end lifts the color back out of weathered, grayed boards, so the deck reads as renewed rather than just washed. It’s the step that makes the difference you can see from across the yard.
Your Plants Are Protected on Every Job
Before we pack up, we treat the plants and landscaping around your deck with a neutralizing plant wash. It’s built into the price of every job, not an upgrade you have to ask for. Decks sit right in the middle of a home’s garden beds and borders, so this one matters more here than almost anywhere else on the property.
How Our Delaware Deck Cleaning Works
From the first phone call to the last board, here’s exactly how a deck cleaning goes with us.
Your Free On-Site Estimate
Reach out by phone or email and we’ll schedule a visit to your property. We walk the deck with you, check the material and its condition, and inspect for structural integrity right then, flagging anything we find before any work gets scheduled. After the visit, we follow up with a written proposal by email so you have everything in writing.
Scheduling and the Heads-Up
Once you approve the quote, we get you on the schedule and send a reminder as the date approaches. On the day of the job, we let you know when we’re on the way, so you’re never left guessing.
Cleaning a Composite Deck
For composite, we apply a cleaning solution at a higher ratio and let it dwell for five to ten minutes. Then we rinse with moderate pressure and clean off any runoff from the surrounding surfaces before we move on.
Restoring a Wood or Cedar Deck
Wood and cedar are a bigger job. Using the power washer and our soft wash system, we run the full restoration: algaecide, emulsifier, a board-by-board wash, and a wood brightener to finish. We work in sections so the cleaners never dry before we rinse, which keeps the coverage even from one end of the deck to the other.
The Walkthrough and Finish
Before we call the job done, we treat the plants and landscaping around the deck with plant wash. If you’re home, we walk the finished results with you. The work isn’t finished, and the invoice doesn’t go out, until you’re satisfied with what you see.
What Deck Cleaning Costs in Delaware
Most deck cleaning jobs in Delaware land somewhere between $150–$600–$700, and where yours falls depends mostly on the material and the shape it’s in. You’ll have a free written estimate in hand before any work begins, so the number is settled up front.
- $150–$600–$700: What drives the price is the deck material, the size, and how much organic growth has built up. Wood and cedar sit higher than composite because they take more labor, product, and time per board. A small composite deck sits near the low end, while a large, weathered wood deck runs toward the top.
- Same-visit bundle discount: When we add deck cleaning to another service while the crew is already on-site, we can discount it. Ask about it when you get your estimate and we’ll work out the combined price.
Wood and Cedar Deck Restoration
A grayed, weathered wood or cedar deck is not simply dirty. Organic growth and contamination have worked their way down into the pores, and Delaware’s coastal humidity speeds that process along until the boards lose their color entirely. A clean rinse won’t reach any of that.
Our restoration process starts with an algaecide to kill the organic growth, followed by an emulsifier that brings the contamination up out of the wood pores. From there we pressure wash board by board, working in sections so the cleaners never dry between application and rinse. Even coverage is what separates a restored deck from a patchy one, and it’s why we take the time to work methodically. A wood brightener at the end restores the natural color and brings the deck back to life. It’s the same approach we use on a weathered wood fence, so a homeowner tackling both at once gets a consistent result across the yard.
Our Deck Cleaning Guarantee
We stand behind every deck we clean. If you’re not happy with the work, reach out and we’ll come back to make it right. If a return visit still doesn’t resolve it, we’ll work with you on a partial refund. The goal is simple: you shouldn’t be stuck with a result you’re not satisfied with, and we treat it that way on every job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will pressure washing damage my deck?
Not when the pressure is matched to the material, which is how we work. Composite takes a moderate-pressure rinse, while wood and cedar are washed board by board with the pressure the wood can handle, cedar especially getting a lighter, even touch because it’s soft. We also inspect the deck’s structure before we start and flag any concerns first, so nothing gets washed that shouldn’t be.
Can you clean my pool deck without getting dirty water in the pool?
Yes, and this is the most common concern on pool-deck jobs, so we plan for it. We work from the outer edges inward, directing the dirty rinse water away from the pool so it doesn’t run into the water. Pool decks are usually concrete, so we pre-treat, surface-clean in sections, rinse, and post-treat any stubborn spots.
How long does deck cleaning take?
Anywhere from about 45 minutes to 3 hours. It comes down to the material (composite is quick, while a wood or cedar restoration takes longer), the size of the deck, and how much organic growth has built up over time.
Do I need to be home when you clean my deck?
Not necessarily. If you’re home, we walk the finished deck with you to make sure you’re happy before we consider the job done. If you’re not home, we complete the work and send you an invoice afterward.