By More Than Just Sudz · May 13, 2026
High pressure on a wood fence produces a fast, satisfying result and a permanent one. The grain raises, soft summer wood erodes before the hard grain does, and the fence ends up furry.
Why wood is different
Cedar and pine are soft, and pressure that a concrete slab shrugs off will carve into a board. Once the grain has been raised, no amount of later cleaning smooths it back.
The lower-pressure alternative lets a cleaning solution loosen the growth and film, then rinses at a pressure the boards tolerate.
Vinyl, composite, and metal
These handle more than wood, but they are still usually cleaned at reduced pressure. The soiling on them is organic film, which releases readily without force.
When a fence should not be cleaned
Loose boards, failing fasteners, and significant rot are structural issues. Cleaning a fence in that condition can loosen it further, and a good contractor will say so before quoting.
Related service
Fence Washing
Wood, vinyl, composite, and metal fencing cleaned with pressure matched to the material.
