Pressure washing (also known as power washing) is one of the most effective forms of exterior cleaning. It’s a great way to increase property value and helps to prevent costly home repairs. If you’re planning on pressure washing for the first time, it’s important to be careful for both your own safety and to ensure you don’t damage your property. This guide will outline what steps you need to take in order to start pressure washing like a pro!
Know Which Surfaces Can be Pressure Washed
Before you start, it’s important to check whether the surface you’re about to clean is safe to spray with high pressure water. Vehicles/ boats, paint, wood stain, and roof shingles are all common surfaces which can be easily damaged from pressure washing. Be aware of what type of pressure washing machine you have and how much PSI it can output. We can’t guarantee what levels of pressure will and will not cause damage, but if you are using a smaller, electric machine, chances are you most likely won’t cause damage to these areas. However, the downside to low power machines is… their power. Though you have a lesser risk of damage, it will take you significantly longer to finish cleaning compared to a more powerful gas machine.
Keep Children and Pets Indoors
Not only do we have to worry about damaging our property when pressure washing, but we also have to worry about harming our loved ones. Even if you don’t plan to use any chemicals when cleaning, there are still many risk factors to keep in mind. High pressure water has a lot of force behind it, meaning it can cause a lot of damage to the body if sprayed directly at someone. Though you may not see any outside injuries such as cuts, there is potential for your internal organs to take damage from a blast of water, which can turn into a serious medical emergency if not addressed right away. There is also a huge potential for debris such as rocks to be knocked into the air which could cause further injury. For more information on how to pressure wash safely, check out this guide.
Keep in Mind the Differences Between Residential and Professional Cleaners
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “use the right tool for the job” before, and for good reason! After all, you wouldn’t use a hammer to tighten a screw right? Well the same logic goes for exterior cleaning. A pressure washer is a versatile tool for many situations, but that doesn’t mean it’s always the best tool for the job. As we discussed earlier, there are many surfaces which can be damaged by high pressure water, requiring a softwash system to be used instead or in conjunction with a pressure washing machine. A surface cleaner is another great tool used to clean concrete much more effectively than a regular pressure washer wand alone. Now it’s entirely possible to rent all this equipment, train yourself on how to use it properly, and then clean your property, but for many this can be extremely overwhelming. That’s where a professional service comes in. With access to all the latest equipment (and the knowledge of how to use it properly), hiring a professional service to clean your property makes the most sense for some people (and will cost a similar amount to renting equipment!). If you’re in the Olympia, WA area, Bayside Exterior Cleaning is a great option to check out. We offer free, no obligation estimates before every job so you know exactly what you’re signing up for.
Conclusion
Before pressure washing a surface, it’s important to keep in mind how powerful your machine is and the potential it has to cause damage. It’s equally important to also be aware of your surroundings to keep both you and your loved ones safe while cleaning. We hope this guide helps you with your exterior cleaning journey!
