Pressure washing, also known as power washing, uses high-pressure water to clean off dirt such as grime, mold, and loose paint from surfaces like walls, floors, and siding.
S.Buckalew, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
When the brush-and-soap cleaning routine doesn’t get the job done, pressure washing may be the only effective solution to get rid of stubborn stains. Pressure washing can also be used for cleaning surfaces that a regular brush or cleaning towel cannot reach.
When To Pressure Wash
Weather changes can result in dirty surfaces on and around your house. Rain, snow, and wind may cause a build-up of debris on your driveway, roof, or house siding. Over time, these may become difficult to clean.
Although this may naturally seem like the best time to clean, there are a few factors to consider before pressure washing your house. These include the time of the year and your reasons for cleaning.
To get the best pressure washing results, you have to pick the right season. If you decide to pressure wash your driveway, siding, or patio during the winter season, you’re most likely wasting your time.
Pressure washing when it’s too cold can cause an ice build-up, and dirt will probably build up again in no time when it snows. However, if you can’t help it, it might be best to consult professional pressure washing companies like Judge Mobile Wash. These companies can inform you about the best time to pressure wash, considering your situation. Plus, they can get the job done in the quickest time possible without sacrificing efficiency.
Wash Away On A Sunny Day
Cleaning during a nice sunny day will help wash dirt and grime away easily. The sun also helps in completely drying your house after a wash. Therefore, early spring could be ideal for pressure cleaning to wash away excess sand and winter salt from your driveway and siding.
In a nutshell, when and how often you pressure wash depends on the kind of dirt affecting your house. Different scenarios could prompt you to conduct a pressure wash. These include the following:
- If your home or office is situated near a dusty road, you may need to pressure wash frequently.
- When sap builds up from trees near your home, a regular pressure wash is required.
- Before you repaint a wall, you may want to give it a thorough wash using a pressure washer.
- After a big storm, pressure washing may be the quickest way to clean your house.
- When you notice mold growing in on your house, maybe it’s time for pressure washing.
How To Pressure Wash
You’d be amazed at what you can do with a pressure washer. Yes, it cleans driveways, patios, and sidings, but there are many other things it can clean. You can pressure wash things like your garden tools, the kids’ toys, your car, and other outdoor items. All you need to know is how to do it.
They are various types of pressure washers, but they function almost the same. Most come with different nozzles, temperature controls, and nobs for adjusting the spraying angles. After reading and understanding the user manual, remember that lower water temperature gives narrower and more powerful sprays. It’s best to start your cleaning with the highest temperature—if that fails to clean your surface satisfactorily, you can slowly reduce the temperature until the job is done.
When cleaning wooden garden furniture, painted objects, or possibly fragile surfaces, always start with a hidden surface area, in case the pressure is too intense. Too much pressure may chip off the paint or wooden finish. Also, avoid windows because the water’s pressure could break the glass.
For squeaky clean surfaces, use suitable detergents. Degreasers are normally used on driveways, while multipurpose cleaners can help clean your patio or siding. For stubborn stains, don’t hesitate to scrub a little. You can also allow the detergent to soak in for a moment before washing it off with the pressure washer.
For an example of how pressure washing works, check out this video:
Conclusion
Pressure washing is one of the easiest ways to clean and restore areas in and around your home. It can be used on many surfaces, including walls, floors, driveways, patios, and other materials. Pressure washing can save you time and effort because it can clean large areas with little effort. This piece of technology can breathe new life into your home by getting rid of dirt, rust, or slime. In principle, you can pressure wash your home when it gets too dirty, but the best time is during the dry season.