If you live in Saraland, Tillman's Corner, or anywhere in the west Mobile corridor, you already know what summer humidity does to wood. By June, a pressure-treated fence that looked fine in February is gray, fuzzy with mildew, and growing green algae along the bottom boards. Decks are even worse, because foot traffic packs the grime in. Baldwin Preaux Wash handles wood fence and deck cleaning across Mobile County, and we do it the right way: low pressure, the right cleaning solution, and a rinse that leaves the wood clean and intact.
We serve zip codes 36571 (Saraland), 36695 (West Mobile and Tillman's Corner), 36693 (Cottage Hill, Mcvay), and the neighborhoods running along Highway 98 and Airport Boulevard. Whether you have a privacy fence around a backyard in Saraland or a treated-pine deck off the back of a house near Langan Park, the process is the same: assess the wood condition, apply a biodegradable cleaner, dwell, and rinse at a pressure that opens the grain without blowing it apart.
Why Wood Fences and Decks in Mobile Get Dirty So Fast
Mobile averages over 65 inches of rain a year, and the humidity rarely drops below uncomfortable. That combination creates a perfect environment for mildew, algae, and the tannin staining that turns wood gray. Saraland and Tillman's Corner sit in low-lying areas with plenty of tree cover, so the wood rarely dries out completely between rain events. Decks on the north side of a house or under a pine tree can go from clean to noticeably dark in a single season.
Pressure-treated lumber handles moisture reasonably well structurally, but the surface treatment doesn't stop organic growth. Cedar and redwood are naturally more resistant, but they still turn gray and collect mildew in this climate. The fix is a proper soft-wash cleaning, not a high-pressure blast that raises the grain and leaves the wood looking rough. We use a sodium hypochlorite solution diluted to the right concentration for wood, which kills the mildew and algae at the root rather than just scrubbing the surface.
Our Wood Cleaning Process, Step by Step
Pre-Inspection and Wood Assessment
Before we touch the surface with any water, we walk the fence or deck and look for boards that are cracked, severely rotted, or already delaminating. Cleaning won't fix structural damage, and we'll tell you that upfront. We also check what's around the wood: landscaping beds, stucco or siding nearby, and whether there's anything downhill that needs to be wetted down before we apply solution.
Low-Pressure Soft Wash Application
We apply the cleaning solution at low pressure so it soaks into the wood surface rather than driving grit deeper into the grain. The dwell time varies depending on how heavy the growth is. A lightly mildewed fence in a shaded Saraland backyard might need five minutes. A deck that hasn't been touched in three years and has black staining along the joists will need longer. We don't rush the dwell.
Rinse and Post-Clean Inspection
We rinse with enough pressure to flush the dead organic material out of the grain without raising it. After rinsing, we walk the surface again. If there are spots where the mildew came back stubborn, we re-apply and dwell again. Most fences and decks come out looking close to the original color of the wood. Heavily weathered wood won't look brand new, but it will be clean and ready for staining or sealing if that's your next step.
Get a free quote on fence or deck cleaning anywhere in Mobile, Saraland, or Tillman's Corner. Call (251) 978-5503.
Neighborhoods and Areas We Cover in Mobile County
We run Mobile County regularly. If you're on the west side of the bay, we're likely nearby. Here are the specific areas where we do fence and deck cleaning most often:
- Saraland (36571): Privacy fences and backyard decks throughout the Saraland Blvd and Industrial Parkway corridors
- Tillman's Corner (36695): Residential fences along Dawes Road, Carol Plantation Road, and surrounding subdivisions
- West Mobile (36695): Neighborhoods off Airport Blvd, Cottage Hill Road, and in the Mcvay area
- Chickasaw and Prichard adjacent (36610, 36613): Older wood fences that need careful low-pressure work
- Downtown and Midtown Mobile (36604, 36606): Older homes with cedar or pine fences and second-story decks
- Theodore and Grand Bay (36582, 36541): Rural properties with large perimeter fencing and elevated decks
When to Clean vs. When to Replace
This is a question we get a lot, especially on older fences in neighborhoods like Saraland that were built out in the 1990s and early 2000s. The general rule: if the wood is structurally sound, cleaning is worth doing. Mildew and gray oxidation are surface problems. Soft rot, cracked posts, or boards that flex when you push them are structural problems. We'll tell you honestly what we see during the inspection. We'd rather give you a straight answer than take money for a job that won't hold up.
If you're planning to stain or seal the fence after cleaning, the timing matters. Wood needs to dry completely after a soft-wash clean before you apply any penetrating stain or sealant. In Mobile's summer heat, that usually means waiting at least 48 to 72 hours after cleaning, longer if there's been recent rain. We'll mention this at the time of service so you're not sealing over wet wood.
Decks with Composite Boards or Mixed Materials
More homes in West Mobile and Saraland are switching to composite decking, and we clean that too. Composite doesn't respond to the same solution concentrations as wood, so we adjust. Trex, Timbertech, and similar products can accumulate mildew and pollen just like wood, especially in shaded areas. They clean up well with the right process. If your deck is a mix of composite boards on a treated-wood frame, we handle both in the same visit.
Pricing and Scheduling
Pricing for fence cleaning is based on linear footage. Deck cleaning is priced by square footage and adjusted for how heavily the surface is soiled. We give free quotes and we don't charge extra for being on the west side of Mobile Bay or up into Saraland and Chickasaw. Call (251) 978-5503 or reach out through our contact page to get a number. Most residential fence and deck jobs in Mobile County are scheduled within a week.
Baldwin Preaux Wash serves Mobile, Saraland, Tillman's Corner, and all of west Mobile County. Call (251) 978-5503 for a free quote on fence and deck cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will soft washing raise the grain on my pressure-treated fence?
Not when it's done correctly. The key is keeping the rinse pressure low enough to flush the dead organic material out without driving water hard into the wood. We adjust pressure based on the condition of the wood. Old, weathered boards get a gentler rinse than newer lumber.
How long before I can stain or seal my deck after you clean it?
In Mobile's summer heat, 48 to 72 hours is usually enough drying time before applying a penetrating stain or sealant. If there's been recent rain or it stays cloudy and humid, give it closer to three full days. Applying stain over wet wood causes adhesion problems and uneven color.
Can you clean a fence that has mildew on both sides?
Yes. We work both sides when access allows. For privacy fences where the back side is right against a property line, we let you know ahead of time so you can coordinate access with your neighbor if needed. Both sides together is always the better result.
Do you clean composite decking like Trex in Mobile and Saraland?
We do. Composite decking still collects mildew, algae, and pollen, especially in shaded spots. We use a lower solution concentration than we would on bare wood and rinse at appropriate pressure for the material. Mixed decks with composite boards on a wood frame are no problem.
How often should a wood fence be professionally cleaned in Mobile?
Once a year is a reasonable interval in Mobile's climate. The combination of rain, humidity, and tree cover means mildew can establish itself within a single season. Annual cleaning keeps the wood in better long-term condition and makes each subsequent job easier.
Are your cleaning solutions safe for my plants and landscaping near the fence?
We wet down nearby plants and grass before applying solution and rinse them again afterward. The biodegradable solutions we use are safe for landscaping when properly diluted and rinsed. We pay attention to what's in the treatment zone before we start and let you know if anything needs to be moved or covered.