Housekeeping - 6 Helpful Tips to Safely Power Wash Your House

​Cleaning your home's exterior can sometimes be a huge undertaking. The buildup of grime and dirt is tough to wash off. Without the right tools at your disposal, cleaning can cost you a lot of time and energy.

Tips for Power Washing Your House

Utilizing a power washer is an excellent way to get your house looking its best. It enables you to quickly and easily remove stubborn dirt, grime, and algae from your home's exterior. Many power washers are available for purchase, ranging from electric to gas-powered.

Electric power washers spray water with a pressure of up to 1500psi and typically cost less. However, they don't provide as much power as gas-powered models, which can spray with up to 2000psi of pressure, the ideal water pressure for cleaning. When power washing your home's exterior, it's essential to follow a few key tips. 

1. Get Familiar with Nozzles

The variety of nozzles available on your power washer will be one of the most important factors to consider. A smaller nozzle will provide a concentrated, high-pressure stream, which is ideal for removing tough grime buildups. A larger nozzle will cover more area but will be less concentrated, taking longer to remove tough dirt.

2. Test the Stream Before Your Washing Your House

It's a good idea to test your power washer's pressure before you begin cleaning your house. You wouldn't want to cause structural damage. If you're planning on removing paint, it's important that you bring the nozzle as close to the surface as possible. If the nozzle is too far away, the paint might not scrape away.

3. Start at the Top

When power washing your home's exteriors, it's easier to use a ladder to reach higher spots. It's essential to start on the top of your house and work your way down in order to prevent water damage from the down up. Before cleaning, make sure that the water is flowing at a steady rate.

4. Use Bleach on Mold First

If you have a moldy exterior, you might need to apply a bleach solution before you begin. Be sure to leave it on for a few minutes before you start to clean. Doing so will loosen the mold and prevent it from spreading further.

5. Avoid Direct Contact

You should also avoid direct contact with your home's exterior. Spray from a safe distance to avoid damaging your siding or foundation. Spraying too close can cause irreversible damage to materials.

6. Be Careful with Decking and Steps

When power washing your home, it may be best to avoid power washing the wooden decking. If the wood is treated, it can be stripped away by high-pressure water. It's best to use a mop and some soapy water to clean your deck rather than a power washer.

Conclusion

Now that you have an idea of how to best use a power washer to clean your home's exterior, you can get started. Bring your power washer outside, and get to work on your home's exterior. If you want to make perfectly sure that your siding, foundation, and wood decking are well taken care of, be sure to hire a professional power washing service to keep your home looking great.

Trust in our house washing services to give your home a proper cleaning. We at Kingwood All Star Window & Power Washing bring you the professional equipment and products you need. If you need quality cleaning for your home in Kingwood, TX, contact us today!

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