Wood fences and decks grey and streak with mildew over time, and full-pressure washing can gouge the grain and leave an uneven, fuzzy surface that actually looks worse once it dries — and takes stain unevenly afterward. Soft washing lifts the grime and mildew without that risk.
This is also a natural first step if you're planning to stain or seal a wood deck or fence afterward — old finish and weathering need to come off cleanly first for a new coat to bond properly.
Most of it — soft washing significantly improves greyed, weathered wood, though very old or heavily weathered wood may still show some greying that only sanding and refinishing fully resolves.
Yes — soft washing is gentler than high-pressure washing and avoids the scratching risk that comes with holding a pressure wand too close to composite material.
Wood needs to fully dry first, typically 24–48 hours depending on weather, before stain or sealant will bond properly.
Basic rinsing of metal fencing can be included, though the core service is built around wood and composite surfaces.