Need pressure washer advice for cleaning my old deck - what PSI?

Hey everyone, I'm tackling my back deck this weekend - it's about 15 years old, pressure-treated wood, and has some serious mildew and grime buildup. I've never owned a pressure washer before, but I'm tired of scrubbing with a brush. What should I look for? I'm worried about damaging the wood. Budget is around $300-400. Thanks!

Welcome to the club! I've got 7 pressure washers in my garage (don't ask lol). For decks, you don't need crazy power - too much PSI will shred the wood. Look for something around 2000-3000 PSI with adjustable settings. I'd recommend the Sun Joe SPX3000 - great for beginners, electric so it's quiet, and has a detergent tank for deck cleaners. Got mine on sale for $250 last year. Just keep the nozzle moving and start on a low setting!

Dave's right about not going too heavy. In my contracting work, I use a 2700 PSI gas model for decks - more portable than electric. But for DIY, electric is fine. KEY TIP: Use a 25-degree or wider nozzle, NOT the zero-degree. That's how people etch patterns into their wood. Also, consider renting if this is a one-time job - you can get a commercial-grade unit for $50/day. Pre-treat with deck cleaner, let it sit, then wash.

Just did my mom's deck last month with my Ryobi 1900 PSI! Worked great but took forever lol. Learned the hard way - wear waterproof boots!! Soaked my sneakers in 2 minutes. Also, if your deck has any loose boards, the pressure washer will find them... ask me how I know. Maybe check for nails popping up first?

Electrician here chiming in - if you go electric, make SURE you're using a GFCI outlet or extension cord. Water + electricity = bad news. Also, keep the washer away from outdoor outlets and lights. Otherwise, what Felix said about nozzles is spot on. Good luck with the project!