How often should a deck be pressure washed?
Most decks benefit from a thorough cleaning roughly twice a year — once in spring to remove winter grime and pollen, and once in fall before debris and moisture set in for winter. Composite decking generally follows this same bi-annual schedule, while wood decks may need more frequent attention depending on climate, shade coverage, and how quickly mildew tends to develop in your specific yard. Homes in humid or heavily shaded areas may need a light cleaning every few months to prevent algae and mildew from taking hold, while decks in drier climates can often go longer between cleanings. Regular, lighter cleaning is generally safer and more effective than letting buildup accumulate for years and then requiring aggressive, higher-pressure treatment to remove it.