Pressure washing - what to look out for

Wall-to-wall power washing is all the rage among homeowners seeking quick and efficient methods of cleaning. With professional assistance, pressure washing your home exteriors, siding, deck, and driveway makes for a tremendous weight off your shoulders—and it saves you on chemical cleaners and equipment. 

However, not every layperson will know how to match a specific piece of equipment to a particular surface. If you’re performing a DIY power wash or hiring a contract without the appropriate training, you can do far more damage to your property than help it. Here is what you should look out for. 

Too Much Water Pressure

As its title suggests, pressure washing your home involves subjecting surfaces to powerful streams of water. If your siding is particularly fragile, incorporating too much stress can chip off paint or worse—chunks of your property! Soft power washing is more forgiving on wood decking. 

Water to Cleaner—What Ratio?

Some DIY pressure washers will mistakenly load their machine with water alone. Without a spritz of the appropriate cleaning agent, your power wash will be significantly less productive. 

Water-only mixtures also tend to exacerbate and spread any existing mold spores. If you’ve never had to eliminate a mold problem, they can end up costing an arm and a leg. 

Tips for DIY Power Washing

If you’re new to power washing, we don’t recommend you go it on your own. However, some individuals are proud handypeople—and you shouldn’t shortchange yourself for wanting to take on the task head-on. If you’re embarking on your first DIY power washing project, consider the following tips. 

1. Start Wide
   

Keep the nozzle moving on a wide fan pattern, avoiding focusing on one portion of your wall or driveway for too long. You want to achieve an even clean. If your equipment comes with a manual, adhere to its instructions and distance recommendations. Otherwise, you can enlist the help of an online expert. Don’t blast water directly into corners, beneath a window lip, or into vents. 

1. Pressure Wash in Order
   

Use a pressure washer before applying any sort of additional cleaning agent. Though cleaning out of order won’t damn your project to failure, you risk bathing your windows in grime, dirt, and residue if you scrub them first and pressure wash them last. 

1. Pay Attention to Electrical Hazards
   

If you’ve—hopefully—passed your high school chemistry class, you’ll know that water and electricity don’t work well together. Keep your pressure washer grounded at all times and mind shock hazards that line the exterior of your home. Wear rubber-soled shoes for extra protection. 

1. Research the Right Equipment
   

If you’re satisfied with your rental and want to graduate into purchasing a pressure washer of your own, do your research. Always request a demonstration and speak with someone knowledgeable about the subject. Avoid buying your first pressure washer from a garage sale or thrift shop—you never know where they’ve been or how well they’re functioning. 

Conclusion

For first-time pressure washers, you’ll never want to revert into old cleaning habits. Pressure washers take up half the time you’d spend manually scrubbing your walls—but do it wrong, and you put your property at risk of damage. 

Play it safe by enlisting residential power washing services from Kingwood All Star Window and Power Washing Services. From concrete and brick to masonry, we’re well-equipped to handle all types of homes and provide the best service possible. Get in touch with us in Kingwood today!

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