Any type of exterior gets dirty and dingy over time, but pressure washing, also known as high-pressure cleaning, can quickly restore your home to its former beauty. Learn how to pressure wash your house with these five tips.
1. Choose a Pressure Washer
Depending on the exterior of your house, you may need to use a certain type of pressure washer. For example, Vinyl siding can withstand a powerful gas pressure washer (2,500-3,000 psi), and Aluminum, stucco or soft-grain wood homes will do better with a less powerful pressure washer (about 1,200-1,500 psi). When choosing a pressure washer, also determine whether you need any accessories such as pressure washer extension wands or pressure washer telescoping wands, which are helpful when pressure cleaning two-story homes or hard-to-reach areas.
2. Prepare the Place and Put on Safety Gear
Once you choose the pressure washing machine, it’s time to prepare the cleaning place and put on your safety gear. Before you begin, remove or cover things like light fixtures and air conditioner compressors to protect them from damage. Use a plastic covering over shrubs and garden plants. Secure the tarps in place with duct tape, and note the location of windows and electrical outlets to ensure you avoid them while doing the high-pressure cleaning. Also, do not stand on a ladder when using a pressure washer. The pressure could cause you to lose your balance as well as never drive water directly into gaps or cracks in your home’s exterior. Besides, keep your pressure washer wand at least 6 feet away from electrical wires and never spray water into outlets. More importantly, never point a pressure washer at other people or pets and be sure to wear the proper protective gear, when pressure washing a house.
3. Set Up the Pressure Cleaner
Take the following steps to set up the pressure washer: Use a 5-gallon water bucket, mix water and a cleaning detergent with a mildewcide, attach your pressure washer to your garden hose, choose the pressure washer nozzle you plan to use and attach it to your sprayer, Take a step back about 3 feet from your home and test the pressure washer against the house and finally, adjust your stance and spray until you feel the pressure is strong enough to remove dirt without damaging your home’s exterior.
4. Do the Cleaning From the Bottom Up
Now that your cleaning solution is mixed and you’ve tested your pressure washer, it’s time to begin the high-pressure cleaning. Using the cleaning solution, start pressure washing at the bottom of the house and work your way up. Washing from the top down can cause water and suds to run down the side of the house, And, When spraying roof overhangs and gutters, always maintain a 45-degree angle. Also, do not pressure wash your home if it’s been painted with lead paint.
5. Finish the Cleaning and Let Dry
Once you have done the high-pressure cleaning of your home, turn off the pressure washer and disconnect it from the garden hose. You can check the manual for the proper steps for storing the pressure washer, such as draining liquid from the pump when the pressure washing is finished, and removing all tarps, drop cloths and duct tape. Also, if you plan to paint after the high-pressure cleaning, allow the home’s exterior to completely dry. This typically takes about two days.
Conclusion
Learning how to pressure wash your house is a good way to keep your house looking its best, especially if you want to prepare your house for a fresh coat of paint. You can also hire professional high-pressure cleaning service providers for your house’s pressure washing requirements.