House pressure washing can be a very important part of maintaining the exterior of your home. It can be used to clean siding, wood surfaces, concrete, and sidewalks. But before you start, you should take certain precautions. Among these are preparing your property, removing all obstructions, and ensuring your safety. Read this first!
Preparing your home for pressure washing
Pressure washing is a necessary step in keeping your home clean and attractive. The right pressure washer can remove years of dirt from your house’s exterior. However, there are also safety measures that must be taken to protect you and your home.
Before you begin pressure washing your house, check the exterior for potential leaks. If there are any, then it is important to repair them before you start the process. A small leak can cause significant damage, which could be devastating if not caught in time.
The same goes for windows and doors. You should cover these with plastic sheeting and tape them up. This will prevent water from leaking inside and damaging your house.
Cleaning siding
House pressure washing is a great way to remove dirt and dust from your siding. It can increase your curb appeal and add life to your house. However, it is important to use the right equipment and techniques to ensure that you do not damage your siding.
First, you should choose a day that is not sunny or windy. You should also wear protective eyewear and long sleeves. Also, you should not use ladders or power washers in direct sunlight. In addition, you should be careful to protect your plants, doors, and windows from being splashed by the water.
To start, you should clean the top story of your home. You can do this with a brush attachment. If you want to go up higher, you can use an extension wand.
Cleaning concrete
Pressure washing concrete is an effective way to keep your home looking great. But there are many things to consider before you start cleaning the concrete.
The first thing you need to know is the type of cleaner that you will be using. Depending on the concrete finish, you may want to use a pH-neutral cleaner. These are mild and are perfect for cleaning interior concrete. However, they will not remove embedded dirt. You might also need to pre-treat some stains.
Before cleaning, you should remove any furniture and other items from the concrete. This will prevent them from moving. Also, you should cover plants with plastic tarps before you start.
Cleaning wood surfaces
Pressure washing is an excellent way to remove built up grime and dirt from hard surfaces. It is also an effective way to prepare wood for painting.
However, pressure washing can damage your wood if done incorrectly. It is best to enlist the help of a professional.
Incorrect cleaning can cause holes, gouges, and discolorations. If left untreated, these problems can worsen. Also, improper cleaning can increase the risk of rot.
When pressure washing, use a high-powered stream of water. You should avoid using bleach solutions. These chemicals can weaken the fibers of the wood and create a film. This can interfere with paint penetration.
Preventing injury
When spring arrives, it is time to give your house a fresh start. It is also a good time to remove dirt and grime that has accumulated over the winter. Power washing can be a fast and effective way to get the job done. But it is important to make sure that you use pressure washing safely. If you do not, the results could be catastrophic.
The CDC recommends using a pressure washer with a pressure of less than 100 PSI. This will help prevent most injuries. However, there are a number of secondary hazards that can occur when using a pressure washer.
One of the most dangerous is a high pressure water jet that can cut through the outer layer of skin. A water jet spray can reach a force of 1,160 PSI.
Cleaning sidewalks and pathways
Pressure washing is an effective way to clean sidewalks and pathways. It can increase the curb appeal of your home, improve safety, and prevent weed growth. In fact, it can even extend the lifespan of your outdoor surfaces.
When you choose to use pressure washing to clean your walkways, it’s important to remember that different materials will require different cleaning methods. If you’re dealing with a concrete walkway, a high-pressure spray will be more effective than a garden hose. This is because the force of the water breaks chemical bonds, allowing the dirt to be washed away.
Concrete is a porous material that absorbs liquids and soils quickly. However, over time, this can lead to staining and a deteriorating surface. Browse the next article.
