How To Pressure Wash Your Home
Pressure washing is one of the easiest ways to give your house a deep
exterior cleaning. Whether your home is painted, siding or bricks, a
pressure washer will help you easily get the old dirt off of your home
almost effortlessly. Whether or not you use a detergent, you will see
amazing results.
There are some instances when you do not want to use a pressure washer. Do
not try to remove paint from siding, and make sure to test it if you have
older wood. The forceful jet can actually make soft wood break apart, and if
the stream is too strong it will dislodge mortar from the bricks. Pressure
washing is not meant for stucco or hardboard. The impact is too much for
these materials.
You also want to use caution is your house has paint from before 1987. You
will not want to apply the pressure washer in this instance. It’s advisable
to just wash the home yourself, or bring in professionals if you have more
than one story.
If you don’t own your own pressure washer, they are available to rent for
about $50-$100 for the day. Determine which psi (pounds per square inch) you
need. If you have softer materials such as aluminum or wood, go for the
1200-1500 models. The stronger psi’s should be used only for vinyl or
unpainted surfaces.
A pressure washer that has stronger jets will decease cleaning time. Make
sure that the model you rent has an option to add detergent to the spray.
Once you have the pressure washer, just follow these simple steps to clean
your home’s exterior.
1. Make sure to get the are prepped. Move any plants or furniture away from
the home, cover things that can’t be moved, and make sure any obstructions
are out of your way before you start.
2. Scrub any mildew off with a cleaning solution and a scrub brush. This
will get the exterior prepped.
3. Check your hose to make sure it will reach. Attach it the pressure
washer, and add the detergent into the apparatus per the directions.
4. Clean your house from top to bottom. This will allow the dirt to run
down. You should hold the sprayer at a 45 degree angle about two feet away
from the surface. Watch to see that this is giving you the optimal cleaning
action. Angle the hose down so that water doesn’t creep in any unsealed
spaces.
5. Make sure to rinse, then rinse again. Your house will be gleaming. If you
are planning to repaint, allow at least two days for the wood to dry.
Watching the before and after transformation of your home as the mildew and
grey marks melt off of your home with a pressure washer make this job almost
fun. There is definitely a feeling of satisfaction with a job well done as
you transform your old house into a brand new home again.