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The exterior of your property is open to the environment, including the sun, wind, pollutants, dirt, and even insects and animals. Homes suffer damage all year round from ultraviolet radiation, dust, grime, algae, mold, insects, and a variety of other dangerous contaminants. This results in accumulation on siding, deeply embedded stains in driveways, and the formation of black streaks on roofs.
These factors have a negative impact: Your siding, deck, or driveway will eventually show signs of fading or damage. Fortunately, a fix is available. Power washing your home is a quick and simple way to improve its curb appeal, prepare surfaces for painting, guard against damage, and restore it to its former splendor.
Regular, consistent power washing has advantages for homes. In actuality, the advantages go beyond what you may initially perceive.
A pressure washer transforms a standard garden hose flow into a potent spray. A pressure washer can be the perfect tool to handle a range of surfaces and chores around the exterior of your home, whether preparing for a new coat of paint or simply washing away accumulated dirt and grime. But if not applied properly, it may also quickly destroy surfaces, so caution and planning are essential. The following information will help you use a pressure washer to effectively and safely clean typical external surfaces.
Select the right pressure washer
Pressure washers come in both gas and electric varieties. They are rated for either household or commercial use, and the pounds per square inch (PSI) and gallons per minute (GPM) are the primary factors in choosing a model. Higher PSI provides more force to blast dirt from surfaces and higher GPM allows you to clean vast areas more quickly.
How to prepare
- Closure-toed footwear and eye protection are examples of safety gear.
- Coverings made of plastic, duct tape, and tarps
- Nozzles for a pressure washer
- Hose accessories for pressure washers
E.g. equipment for cleaning gloves, detergent, and siphon tubes for pressure washers.
Make sure all of the doors and windows are shut as you prepare your workspace. It’s also crucial to turn off the electricity at any external electrical outlets, which should then be covered with tape and plastic. Shrubs and bushes that could obstruct the route should also be cut back. After you’ve prepared the area, check that the high-pressure spray setting doesn’t damage the external surface by using it in an inconspicuous location to test it first.
Using a low-pressure spray pattern, apply detergent first to any difficult stains and grime on the exterior of your property. If you use a detergent, work the pressure washer in a top-to-bottom motion after letting it sit on the surface for a few minutes.
Purchase spray tips and extensions if your home has two stories in order to ensure that you can access the higher areas. You may need to use a ladder which requires extra caution. This may be better left to professionals who offer power washing in Indianapolis IN. Hiring a professional to do the job can spare you the trouble and it is indeed a lot of trouble but what’s the fun in that?
Cleaning with the pressure washer
Start with the power washer’s most conservative settings. Select a small area to test the pressure before unlocking and pulling the trigger to turn on the pressure washer. To avoid applying too much pressure immediately away, start spraying siding with the nozzle at least four feet away from the surface. Aim the spray farther in front of you rather than straight down on decking or other horizontal surfaces. To clean the surface without harming it, move closer or change the wand’s holding angle. Avoid using the nozzle too closely to the surface.
If the current configuration is ineffective, you might try replacing nozzles while being careful to restart from a distance. It is not recommended to exchange nozzle tips until the engine has been turned off, the wand pressure released, and the trigger lock engaged.
Start cleaning once you’ve determined the best position. Spray out of your line of sight, especially when working on horizontal surfaces. Start at the top of the area you’re working on for vertical surfaces and sweep downward so that dirt and debris fall into places that need to be cleaned. Use overlapping motions to clean evenly; avoid applying direct pressure for long periods of time to any one area.
Avoid using the pressure washer close to meters, satellites, cable boxes, electrical lines, or any other utility.
Avoid vents and windows
When power washing your property, keep in mind there are particular locations you’ll want to avoid. No matter what kind of exterior you’re cleaning. Keep windows and external vents away from the high-pressure. Never leave the spray gun unattended while the power washer is running.
Areas of your home that should be pressure-washed
- Exteriors of homes
Want to update that paint job without having to have your property redone from scratch? Or restore a stucco that has gotten dingy overnight? All kinds of home exteriors can be pressure cleaned, although brick and house siding are the most common.
- Wooden deck
Pressure washing is more than a cosmetic process. Cleaning a wood deck with a power washer also increases safety since it stops mildew from developing after prolonged rain. Keep the nozzle 2 to 3 feet away from the wood.
- Fencing
- Driveways
- Balcony Furniture
To avoid getting any other items wet, you could pressure wash plastic, vinyl, or wood exterior patio furniture. Ensure you do this in a room with lots of space, such as the backyard.
- Painting preparation
Before painting any outside surfaces, you can clean them with your pressure washer. This covers patio furniture, fencing, and even the home’s frontage.
- The front door walkways and stairs
Want to improve your curb appeal right away? Take a look at the porch. Your home’s stairs and walkways probably need a good cleaning. In ten minutes, a pressure washer can complete the task.
- Swimming pools
Using a pressure washer to remove grime stuck between tiles is a good end-of-summer project. Drain your pool and allow it to air dry entirely. Clean the walls from bottom to top with a pressure washer detergent.
Rinsing and storage
Repeat the soaping and washing as necessary if your project has been divided into sections. Next, use the lower pressure soap nozzle to rinse away any leftovers, or even just a hose connected to your home’s water supply.
Engage the trigger safety lock and shut off the pressure washer when you are done using it. Turn off the water source next. Open the lock and turn on the wand.