Pressure washing is already known for home exterior cleaning and commercial buildings so getting some insight on pressure washing tips will surely help you. Over time, the exterior of a home can build up all kinds of dirt, moulds, and grimes. And this is a known fact that all homes are prone to. That is the very reason why pressure washing’s popularity is growing year after year. This is because pressure washing has proven to be one of the best ways to clean and restore anything around your exterior.
A pressure washer is ideal for quickly cleaning large surfaces on all types of hard exterior surfaces. When the old “brush & soap” routine takes forever, these are better. This type of cleaning is actually ideal for busy people and for those who don’t want to break a sweat. There is no doubt that pressure washing comes with many benefits and, more often than not, gives excellent results.
More than just the basic cleaning, a pressure washer also helps remove grease, gum, wax, and even rust, which are some of the hardest-to-address soils. It’s like an all-in-one type of cleaning, which is really great!
With its popularity, pressure washing is not only known for home exteriors or building exteriors. Most providers have now expanded to different surfaces. So what are the other surfaces that you can clean using a pressure washer? See the list below of what can be pressure washed:
Home Exterior
- Driveway
- Stone and Slate Siding
- Post & Rail Fence
- Vinyl Fence
- Rubber Flooring
- Bikes and Outdoor Toys
Building Exterior
- Outdoor Equipment
- Patio
- Cement Fiber Sidings
- Brick Walls
- Garage Floors
- Roads
Porches/Deck
- Aluminium Sidings
- Panel Fences
- Parking Lots
- Outdoor Cushions
All these different surfaces can handle pressure washing, but of course, not all at the same kind of pressure. You would have to know which ones can handle what type of pressure. It is very important to be extra careful as not to create any damage on these surfaces.
Knowing how to properly clean any surface is crucial to successfully and safely pressure wash it. A mindset is dying out that high pressure is necessary for cleaning. It is obviously not for everything. A pressure washer is typically used for removing soil by removing it with just enough force to break up its bond with the surface. More pressure can destroy the surface at hand. Any lesser pressure results in sloppy results and an unclean surface.
So if you are one of the many that wish to DIY their way into pressure cleaning your home, we have a list of practical tips for you. This includes everything you need to know and prepare for you to do your cleaning and tips on how to handle different surfaces. Just keep reading.
Pressure Washing Tips For Safety
Check the Manual and Follow the Instructions. Before you tackle the task, review the manufacturer’s instructions if you’re doing the pressure cleaning yourself. Every brand and model of equipment has some characteristics that set them apart from the others. Even if you have used power washers in the past, you should find out how each one works.
Use Proper Gears to Protect yourself. It’s not just the force of the water coming out; it’s also often a mixture of cleaning solutions or chemicals. Wear gloves, closed-toe shoes, long sleeves, and pants to protect your skin. Power washers also generate some noise. So ear protection is not a bad idea. Complete face protection is your best choice if you want more than what goggles provide.
Protect the Outlying areas. Make sure to cover anything that you don’t want to get hit, or that could get damaged. In cases that you can’t cover your plants, and they will be exposed to the spraying chemical, give them a dose of water first. Leaves soak up more chemicals when they are dry than when they are wet, so a once over will help.
Pay attention to the pressure washer equipment accessories. When you start the power washer, always make sure all nozzles and other accessories. Make sure the nozzle doesn’t come loose when it’s in use. Keep your spray away from people, animals, and fragile surfaces, and be aware of the direction you’re spraying it in.
You should now leave the pressure washer machine unattended. As with all power tools and equipment, leaving the unit unattended is dangerous without powering it off and putting it away.
Know when to ask for help. It is ideal to get help from professionals if the work covers anything involving more than one story, so don’t tackle the roof. A professional has the equipment needed to reach up to three or four stories without using a ladder. Unless you have the right tools, it can be quite dangerous to work on roofs because they can be easily damaged.
Now that you have an overview of the safety tips when pressure washing, the next thing to know is how to pressure wash different surfaces.
How to Pressure Wash Different Surfaces
Brick: First off, watch for loose or chipped areas that the power wash could cause more damage. If the mortar has cracks, repair those first and let them dry and cure before you wash. This includes brick walls, brick fences, brick driveway, and pathways. It is important to remember that the brick patina protects it, so be careful not to wash away more than dirt and grime.
Concrete: With pressure washing, you’ll get the best results whether you have sidewalks or driveways. You must use the appropriate detergents to get the best results. And just like the brick, keep an eye out for chips and cracks since pressure washing them may expand or make them come loose. Concrete stamped with designs can be power washed, but you need to seal it first to protect it.
Cut stone: Marble, for example, looks amazing after a power washing, while limestone, on the other hand, is somewhat more delicate. The best approach is to start with lower pressure for any cut stonework and then slowly increase the pressure until you reach the results you want.
Siding: Regardless of whether the siding on your home is aluminium, wood, or vinyl, it can be pressure washed. You might want to use less pressure if there is paint on the surface to prevent the paint from washing off. Again, before power washing, make sure there are no cracks or chips in your stucco. If there is any damage, repair it and let the area cure before washing.
Patios and decks: Before you apply pressure to a painted surface, make sure you test it first with a lower nozzle, so you don’t strip the paint or the finish off.
Soffits and gutters: When cleaning behind gutters and soffits, remember there is a structure behind them. Check to make sure they are firmly attached, then spray the dirt out. Be careful not to force dirt and water up the walls.
Outdoor furniture made of wicker and metal: Generally, these can tolerate power washing as long as the pressure is low enough. If you suspect you’re removing paint or finish, you should test a small area first. It is essential to use cold water when cleaning wicker furniture so as not to soften the glue.
Outdoor Cushion: To wash them, simply set them on a stable surface and wash them side to side, keeping a distance of at least 16 inches between them. To dry, place them in the sun or use the dryer.
Bikes and Outdoor Toys: Bicycles and other outdoor toys can really get dirty, especially during the rainy season. So cleaning them with a pressure washer should be a good idea. You can start by applying a low-profile tip such as 40 degrees, particularly around the tires and the seat. Start with a lower-degree tip if you find the metal still dirty.
Outdoor Equipment: Pressure washing is also an option for wagons, slides, and playsets. You will probably need a 40-degree nozzle on these surfaces because they may gouge easily. Use non-toxic soap if using a pressure washer on these surfaces in the vicinity of children.
It is pretty clear that there are really a lot of different surfaces and things that you can use as a pressure washer for cleaning. It is now more than just for home exterior cleaning.
Final Words
Cleaning your home and property with pressure washing is an easy and quick way to make it look like new again from the exterior to the pathway, driveway, and fences. A pressure washer can do it all. You can even clean some of the kinds of stuff in your outdoor area. You should never forget to follow manufacturer recommendations — for your safety and the best results. You can determine the effectiveness of the power wash by starting slow and farther away. This will help you determine how close you can move to achieve the results you desire without damaging your property. But then again, you can always just hire a professional to do all the complicated work for you—a little cost for a job cleaning that gives a guaranteed good result.
