A power washer is a handy tool that can make cleaning a variety of surfaces much easier. However, before you start using one, there are a few things you should know in order to avoid damaging the surfaces you’re trying to clean. The most important is to know when to hire a professional. Here are 10 other things you should know before you power wash anything
Before you power wash anything, there are a few things you should know
A pressure washer is not a toy and they come with instructions on how to use them for a reason. Let’s dive into the 10 most important aspects of power washing:
- Always read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before using the power washer.
- Be sure to use the correct nozzle for the surface you’re cleaning.
- Start with the nozzle at a distance from the surface to be cleaned.
- Move the nozzle in a sweeping motion across the surface.
- Do not keep the nozzle in one place for too long, as this could damage the surface.
- after using the power washer, be sure to rinse off any detergent that may have been left behind on the surface.
- If you’re using a chemical solution in addition to water, be sure to follow all safety precautions listed on the packaging.
- Never point the power washer nozzle at anyone or any animal.
- When finished, be sure to turn off the power washer and disconnect it from the water supply before storing it away.
- If you have any questions about using a power washer, consult with an expert before proceeding.
What is Power Washing?
Power washing, also known as pressure washing, is the use of high-pressure water spray to remove loose paint, mold, grime, dust, mud, and dirt from surfaces and objects such as buildings, vehicles and concrete surfaces. The volume of a power washer is generally rated in gallons or liters per minute, often expressed as GPM or LPM.
Power washers typically have either an electric motor or a gasoline engine that drives a high-pressure pump. The output pressure is often adjustable up to values greater than 3,000 pounds per square inch (210 bar).
The Benefits of Power Washing
Power washing may seem like a time-consuming and daunting task, but the benefits definitely outweigh the work. Not only does power washing have the ability to increase your home’s curb appeal, but it can also prolong the life of your siding, decks, patios, and other outdoor features. In fact, regular power washing is one of the key ways to maintain these features and keep them looking like new.
In addition to extending the life of your home’s exterior, power washing can also remove dirt, mold, mildew, and other harmful substances that can damage your home. By removing these substances, you’re not only prolonging the life of your home’s exterior – you’re also protecting your family from potential health problems that can come from exposure to mold and mildew.
Overall, power washing is a great way to protect your investment in your home and ensure that your family is safe from harmful substances. If you’re considering power washing your home’s exterior, be sure to check out our 10 things you should know before you power wash anything guide!
The Risks of Power Washing
Power washing can be dangerous which is why its always a good idea to hire a professional power wash team like Pressure Washing Cypress. The high-pressure stream of water can cause serious injuries, and the chemicals used in some power washers can be harmful if they come into contact with your skin or eyes.
Power washing can damage your property. The high-pressure stream of water can strip paint from your home’s exterior, damage vinyl siding and windows, and erode brick and mortar.
Power washing can waste water. A typical power washer uses 2 to 4 gallons of water per minute—that’s a lot of water! Consider using a low-pressure washer or hand-washing instead.
Power washing can pollute the environment. The chemicals in some power washers can pollute rivers, lakes, and streams. Make sure to read the labels on your power washer’s detergents and only use eco-friendly products. This is one of the reasons Cypress Pressure Washing uses safe chemicals when cleaning your home.
Power washing can be noisy. The high-pressure stream of water creates a lot of noise, which can be annoying to your neighbors and disruptive to wildlife.
While some power washing services may seem expensive. Power washers are not cheap to buy or operate. If you damage your home, your car, wood deck or fence, you might want to consider hiring Cypress Pressure Washing.
How to Power Wash Safely
Most importantly, if you are using a ladder, make sure it is securely positioned and that someone is holding it steady while you work.
Cypress Power Washing Tips
If you’re a home owner who likes DIY power washing, be sure you follow this advice. #1 is to always read the manufacturer’s instructions for your power washer before you get started.
- Choose the right tip for your pressure washer. The tip is the part of the power washer that actually comes into contact with whatever you’re cleaning. There are different tips for different cleaning jobs, so make sure you get the right one.
- Use caution when power washing around electricity. Water and electricity don’t mix, so be very careful when using a power washer around electrical outlets or cords.
- Be careful of what you’re pointing the power washer at. The stream of water from a power washer is very powerful and can easily damage delicate surfaces like windows or car paint.
- Always start with the lowest pressure setting and work your way up if needed. It’s much easier to damage something with a power washer than it is to clean it, so it’s better to err on the side of caution.
- Move the power washer in a back-and-forth motion as you clean to avoid stripping paint or damaging surfaces.
- Pay attention to how much water you’re using while power washing. It’s easy to go through a lot of water very quickly, so try to use as little as possible without sacrificing results.
- Keep children and pets away from the area while power washing. The high-pressure stream of water can be dangerous, so it’s best to keep kids and animals out of harm’s way.
- Wear protective clothing while power washing, including gloves, goggles, and long sleeves/pants to avoid getting hurt by flying debris or coming into contact with harsh chemicals/cleaning solutions
The First Things We Train Our Power Washing Service Techs are:
Safety is extremely important! Which is why Cypress Power Washing always trains our technicians before they visit your home or business. A few things techs must know before they leave our office:
- Always test the pressure washer on an inconspicuous spot first.
- Know which is the correct nozzle for the job at hand.
- Hold the nozzle at least 12 inches from the surface you’re cleaning.
- Move the nozzle in a steady back-and-forth motion.
- Don’t use too much pressure – you could damage the surface you’re cleaning.
- Never point the nozzle directly at someone – even if they’re wearing protective clothing.
- If you’re using a power washer for the first time, be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before operating it.
- Be aware of your surroundings when power washing – avoid areas where there is electrical wiring or other hazards present.
- Always use appropriate safety gear when operating a power washer, including gloves, eye protection and earplugs (if necessary).
- Never leave a power washer unattended while it’s running – always turn it off and disconnect it from the power source when you’re finished using it
Conclusion
Power washing is a great way to clean your home’s exterior and keep it looking its best. However, before you start power washing, there are a few things you should know. By following these tips, you can avoid damaging your home and making the cleaning process more difficult than it needs to be.
A few other things you should know, and we couldn’t leave these out because we’ve come across some clients who’ve done these very things:
1. Don’t power wash your clothes. Unless you’re really, really dirty, power washing your clothes will just damage them.
2. Don’t power wash your face. Just… don’t. You’ll probably end up with a cold sore or something.
3. Don’t power wash your hair. Seriously, what are you even thinking?