Short answer: Cleaning a pool screen enclosure means treating two different surfaces two different ways: the concrete deck gets a real pressure clean, while the aluminum frame and screens get a gentle, low pressure soft wash so the mesh doesn't tear. Using the same method on both parts is the most common way this job goes wrong.
Why the deck and the frame get different treatment
The pool deck is concrete, the same material as a driveway or patio, so it can handle a real pressure wash with a surface cleaner to lift algae and grime.
The aluminum frame and screen mesh are far more delicate. A direct pressure blast can tear the screen or dent the thin aluminum, so that part gets a soft wash instead: a cleaning solution at low pressure.
Cleaning the aluminum frame and screens
The same low pressure approach used on stucco and vinyl siding works here, a cleaning solution applied gently and given time to work on mildew and algae buildup.
It's then rinsed at low pressure rather than blasted, which is what keeps the mesh intact instead of stretched or torn.
Cleaning the deck
Once the frame and screens are handled, the concrete deck itself gets the real pressure treatment, a surface cleaner moving in even passes the way a driveway or patio would.
Pool decks tend to grow algae faster than almost any other surface, since they stay wet more of the time.
What to do before you start
Move pool furniture, floats and anything loose off the deck first, and note any existing tears in the screen ahead of time.
A pressure source anywhere near an existing tear can make it worse, so it's worth pointing out before the work starts rather than after.
Why DIY on the frame and screen is trickier than it looks
A garden hose feels safe enough, but a rented pressure washer aimed at the mesh, even briefly and at close range, is enough to blow a hole through it.
The deck is far more forgiving of a DIY attempt than the screen enclosure is, which is where most of the real risk in this job actually sits.
Booking it as one job
Puma treats the pool cage as two jobs in one visit, a pressure clean on the deck and a soft wash on the frame and screens, priced from the enclosure's size.
Every job opens with a test section you approve first, before the rest of the enclosure gets the same treatment.
In Volusia County
Volusia County property records show 15% of homes in the county have a pool cage, and pool decks tend to grow algae faster than almost any other surface since they stay wet. Puma cleans the deck and soft washes the frame and screens together, priced from the enclosure's size, typically around $275.
Questions people ask
Can the screen mesh be pressure washed?
No. A direct pressure blast can tear the mesh, so the frame and screens get a gentle soft wash instead of a pressure wash.
How often does a pool cage need cleaning?
Pool decks tend to grow algae faster than almost any other surface since they stay wet, so many Volusia homeowners clean the enclosure more often than a driveway or patio.
Will cleaning fix a torn screen?
No, cleaning only removes dirt, algae and mildew. A tear in the mesh needs to be repaired or replaced separately.
Does the aluminum frame need anything special?
It just needs the same low pressure approach as the screen, since aluminum can dent or its finish can wear if it's treated the way concrete is.
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