General Pressure Washing Tips for Beginners

Power washing has actually been ever more popular in the past several years and may become much more popular in years to come with the wider availability of affordable equipment. Its not a secret that most individuals put too much time and effort into cleaning up their automobiles, watercraft, porches, grills as well as the exteriors of their homes.With Some fundamental pressure washing suggestions you will save water and energy and you will complete any of these jobs much more quickly than when performing them by hand. Just by following certain straightforward pressure washing concepts, your house exterior cleanup can be a quick and simple procedure using the proper tools. I've cleaned almost everything imaginable on the exterior of a house with a power washer and these basic tips ought to keep the novice away from difficulty. The first thing is to be sure to put on safety glasses of some sort or other regardless what you are cleaning.

1. Makes use of the appropriate chemical cleaning solutions for your particular project. Only use chemicals and pressure washer cleaning solutions that are okayed for power washer use. A lot of new operators don't understand the results the proper chemicals will surely have on any kind of cleaning job. Its the task of the washing chemicals to release the grease, soil or mildew so that the water can wash it away. The correct chemicals also enable you to use the power washer at reduced PSI adjustments which is important when cleaning softer materials such as solid wood decks or vinyl siding. There are lots of degreasers which are great for washing engines or garage floors. Of course a person can employ a much more gentle cleanser to clean house siding and maybe a wax solution when washing a vehicle. You get the idea, make use of an acceptable type of cleaner for your specific job. I don't suggest using chlorine bleach as many individuals use when cleaning houses. Standard chlorine bleach might be cheap however it can kill plants and do damage by staining specific materials. Normal household bleach can damage the seals and o-rings in the gun, wand, hoses and pumps. I've used only eco-friendly cleansing solutions for several years with good results.

2. Picking out the correct nozzles or tips for the job at hand. For using a pressure washer correctly you have to pick the appropriate nozzle or tip. Almost all of better equipment out there include interchangeable spray tips that serve a couple of functions. The first is to lower pressure and pull the cleaning agent; and the other is for high pressure rinse at the various spray angles. Better consumer grade models and just about all commercial pressure washing machines come with a number of color-coded nozzles that will vary from 0 degrees to 40 degrees. Generally speaking the smallest angle provides the strongest pressure of water. For example, in order to remove a stubborn stain on the drive way or patio, you will use a 0 degree angle. On the other hand, if you want to move loose debris such as leaves or sand from a tough winter season, from your house you will use a larger angle such as 25 or 45 degree nozzle. Just one word of caution is needed here to be sure the nozzle is properly attached prior to using the trigger of the gun. In a hurry you can actually neglect sealing the tip into position and this may result in the tip turning into a projectile and may be lost or it could harm property quite easily. I know of a couple people that have replaced windows due to this mistake and it can happen even to skilled users when they're in a hurry.

3. Use the cleaning chemical and let it do the work. A beginner may wish to start blasting away at their targeted cleaning area. But the right way to progress is to use the proper nozzle and apply the cleaning chemical to a managable area and give it time to sit or dwell on the surface for a couple minutes. You don't want it to dry, however it needs a couple of minutes to weaken and break up the dirt or film you want to rinse away.

4. Consistently modify the power or pressure before beginning the rinse job. Take a moment to test your power washer for its power. This can be done by spraying a few feet from your targeted cleaning surface area. Gradually you can direct your power wand to 3-4 feet from the surface area you want to wash. The reason for taking this safety step is simply because pressure washers are extremely powerful and when you start out too near you can damage the surface rather than cleaning it. Through the years I have seen more then one wood deck where an inexperienced cleaner mistakenly carved a pattern in the surface. Also take care if spraying stucco, brick or masonry walls.

5. Decide just what you want to clean. Always be cautious when spraying around windows, mail boxes, flowers, exhaust vents, house overhangs, or light fixtures. Various items mentioned can break or become ruined if hit with high pressure and in some other cases you may in fact be squirting water into the home which is more likely to cause serious damage. Always try to keep the cleaning wand pointed downwards so you don't spray up under the exterior siding. Again, water under pressure could be driven up beneath wood siding and in the case of vinyl, it can very easily rip off parts and send them flying into the the next door neighbor's backyard. Make sure to be very watchful when washing the edges around the house windows.

6. Power washing is not rocket science but proper care is needed. While rinsing a wall or vertical structure of any kind, always begin towards the top of the area to be washed and steadily come down. Try to spray side to side with steady left to right motions. In one motion it is possible to cover a 4-6 feet wide area. To prevent streaking the surface, be sure you begin with the top and come down to the bottom. Be sure not to miss any areas with your pressure wash or you will see poor results once the job dries.

 

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