Pressure washing or power washing involves the use of pressure washer to remove dirt from the exterior part of the house. Pressure washers are incredibly productive tools that help to conserve water. An electric pressure washer may not be powerful enough to clean a large house, and you may have to look for a homeowner-grade gas engine model.
How to pressure wash a house:
Pressure washing is imperative before painting or re-painting your house as clean services allow the paint to stick well. Here are steps you need to take while pressure washing your house:
1. Choose a great pressure washer:
Different pressure water has different capabilities with spray power ranging from 1,200 to 300 pound per square inch. Soft housing materials line wood grains, and aluminum can withstand up to 1500 psi. Pressure beyond this level can result in damages. You can use a wide spray nozzle to disperse the water and reduce pressure and avoid damaging venerable materials. Harder non-painted areas such vinyl may allow cleaning at a higher pressure of up to 300o psi. Higher pressure seems to be more efficient and faster. Use a pressure washer that has a detergent dispenser.
2. Protect your house:
Before start pressure washing, you may have to protect exterior fixtures such as plants, lights, landscaping shrubs from the destructive water pressure. You can cover it with a plastic cover, cloth or a secure it with a duct tape.
3. Clear the Area:
Clear everything near the operation area such as toys and bikes to avoid tripping over them. Also, remember to clear the bottom part of the house to allow you clean the house up to the bottom part. You may have to manually scrub visible mildew using a brush before you start washing.
4. Fill the dispenser with the right cleaning solution:
Use recommended ratio to mix cleaning solution and fill the pressure washer dispenser. Mix approximately one pound of non-phosphate cleaner with 15 liters of washing water. You the need to connect your pressure washer to the source of water and when you are ready, turn off the water.
5. Test the pressure water before you start cleanliness:
Test the power of the washer pressure by holding the nozzle about three feet away from the wall and move slowly toward the wall until you feel that the jetting spray is powerful enough to remove dirt but not too strong to cause damages on the wall.
6. Use the top-down approach:
Start washing from the top of the wall and move toward the bottom. Start with overhands, gutter, and under-hands. Jet them an approximately 45-degree angle and move the spray steadily, side by side.
7. Rinse the house:
Complete the pressure washing process by rinsing the house. Rinse it with clean water without washing detergents. Start rinsing from the top of the house to the bottom. Then allow the house to dry. If you need to paint it, you may have to allow drying for at least two days.
Pressure washing is a potentially dangerous process, and you have to take caution to avoid injuries. Put protection care such as sunglasses, overall and boots to avoid injuries. You should also avoid the user of ladders and remain cautious about power sources.
If you don’t have the time or resources to pressure wash your home contact us today for a consultation and we will do all the heavy lifting for you.