- Bеnеfits of prеssurе washing
There are numerous benefits to pressure washing. The biggest is having a nice
curb appeal with a clean property. It also minimizes preventative damage to
roofs, and driveways if you develop a pressure washing routine.
- Choosing thе Right Prеssurе Washеr
If you’re in the market for a pressure washer, first you need to determine what
kind of job you’re going to be handling. If you’re looking to wash a car, or a
small deck with minimal wear/stains, then an electric unit should do the job. On
the other hand, if you have a tough job with heavy stains, it’s recommended that
you purchase a high GPM pressure washing unit.
2. Elеctric vs. gas power
- PSI and GPM: What do thеy mеan?
- PSI stands for pounch per square inch while GPM stands for gallons per
minute.
- Nozzlеs and attachmеnts
RED: 0 Degree ( very sharp, designed to clear high areas or areas hard to reach.
)
Yellow: 15 Degree ( Clean brick, concrete and hard surfaces. )
Green: 25 Degree ( Clean wood, fences and lawn. )
White: 40 Degree ( Clean screens & windows. )
Black: 65 Degree ( Spray on detergents. )
Additional attachments include: surface cleaners, spray rollers, extension
wands, soap nozzles, x-jet conversion kits, water brooms & more.
1. What is prеssurе washing?
- Protеctivе gеar
When pressure washing, it’s imperative that you take protective gear serious.
It’s highly recommended that you wear the proper footwear to prevent slippage,
and accidents. It’s also recommended to wear safety goggles along with gloves to
prevent skin damage.
- Ventilation
When working with gas powered pressure washers, it’s important that you place it
outside due to fumes and exhaust smells. If you’re working with detergents or
chemicals, it’s highly recommended that you put a mask on to ensure you’re not
inhaling toxic fumes.
- Safеty prеcautions
Never point a pressure washer at yourself or others individuals.
Never attempt to alter locations of items with the pressure of the water.
Never use a gas powered pressure washer in an enclosed location.
Always wear the proper safety apparel when performing any job, big or small.
4. Prеparing for Prеssurе Washing
- Surfacе inspеction
Initially, you need to remove any items that could be a hazard. Be attentive to
any exposed electricity. Remove any plants that may get damaged during pressure
washing phase. Keep your kids and family safe. Double check that all windows are
doors are properly closed to avoid interior water damage.
- Clеaring thе arеa
Remove any plants, furniture, or anything that can be moved to properly pressure
wash the areas desired.
- Clеaning solutions and dеtеrgеnts
If you are working with a stubborn area, you may need cleaning solutions like
bleach, oil removers, rust removers, or certain detergents to help combat heavy
and deep stains. Many times, if you use a high powered GPM pressure washing
machine, the force of water alone can remove those stains. ( Not all the time
)
First you need to determine what kind of job you have in place. If you’re working
with a large driveway, a surface cleaner will be your best friend. Using a surface
cleaner not only ensures that you’re cleaning a driveway or surface properly, but
you will also save time compared to a manual wand. If you’re cleaning the exterior
of a home, it’s suggested to use a wand with a 15 or 25 degree attachment. Do not
point attachments close to an exterior because it may remove paint from
property.
5. Sеtting up your prеssurе washеr
- Maintaining thе right distancе and anglе
The unit that you have determines the amount the correct distance due to the PSI
/ GPM. A powerful unit will require more distance than an electric starting
unit. It’s recommended to always keep distance as much as possible unless you’re
trying to remove a very stubborn stain.
- Prеssurе Washing Diffеrеnt Surfacеs
There are different types of surfaces that can be pressure washed. Outdoor
furniture, cement, concrete driveways, pool decks, patio pavers, wood decks,
sidings and more.
6. Drivеways and sidеwalks
- Dеcks and woodеn surfacеs
It’s recommended to use a low pressure and a wide nozzle tip for decks and
wooden surfaces. Reason being, you can easily damage the wooden surfaces if you
use a high pressure direct nozzle resulting in expensive repairs.
- Siding and brick еxtеriors
It’s recommended to use a low pressure and a wide nozzle tip for siding and
brick exteriors. The use of high pressure can and will damage the brick. You can
start with low pressure and adjust slowly to higher pressures if needed.
- Vеhiclеs and boats
It’s recommended to use low pressure and a wide angle nozzle tip for vehicles
and boats. The use of high pressure can damage a vehicle or boat’s exterior
paint resulting in expensive repairds.
7. Common Prеssurе Washing Mistakеs to Avoid
- Applying too much prеssurе
People have the misconception that you need high pressure to remove stubborn
stains. Although this may make sense, at times that’s not always true. You can
use the help of chemicals and detergents to help remove stains. The key is to
use the combination of both chemicals and pressure to clean a surface.
- Not using propеr tеchniquеs
Not using the proper techniques when pressure washing can lead to bad noticeable
lines on surfaces. You know you did a good job when there are no noticeable
streaks or lines on surfaces cleaned. It’s also important to follow all safety
techniques to avoid any injuries.
- Skipping thе clеaning solution stеp
This is one step that should never be avoided. It’s always recommended to use
some sort of chemical to help soften residues, algae, mold from surfaces you’re
trying to clean. This will help minimize any potential damage on concrete from
high pressure water.
8. Maintеnancе and Carе for Your Prеssurе Washеr
- Clеaning and storing your еquipmеnt
Cleaning and maintaining your equipment will determine how long your unit will
last. It’s very important to always clean and check your unit after every job to
ensure that everything is intact and ready for the next job. Following cleaning
habits will not only increase the life or the unit, but will also help maintain
the looks of it as well.
- Rеgular maintеnancе chеcks
It’s always recommended to check the oil level before each use. The engine oil
should be changed after the first 10 to 15 hours of operation on a new engine.
After the initial oil change, oil should be changed every 100 hours or 3 months,
whichever comes first. Always use the recommended oil recommended by the
manufacturer.
- Troublеshooting common issuеs
Low pressure can be caused bu a worn nozzle.
Water leaks can occur due to worn seals or O- rings.
Rough idle can occur due to restricted or blocked inlets.
Oil leaks can occur due to bad crankcase oil seals.
9. Environmеntal Considеrations
- Propеr disposal of wastеwatеr
Any wastewater generated from pressure washing must be contained and directed to
a POTW. If this water contains any oil or grease, it must be disposed through an
oi/water separator.
- Using еco-friеndly dеtеrgеnts
The use of eco-friendly products offer protection to local ecosystems, fewer
dangers to flammability, and health risks. ( Skin contact, inhaling toxic
products, eye contact, etc.).
- DIY vs. Profеssional Prеssurе Washing
Smaller jobs can be tackled with DIY projects as long as the individual
operating the pressure washer has basic knowledge and follows all safety
operating guidelines. The benefit of professional pressure washing, is the
equipment used and the expertise behind the work resulting in better results.
Certain jobs require working in high roofs, which can be dangerous.
Professionals are trained and fully capable of tackling a big or small
job.
10. Whеn to hirе a profеssional
- Cost considеrations
You should hire a professional if you do not have experience with pressure
washing or have the equipment. At times, people rent the equipment and end up
spending the same or more due to chemicals, rental charges, and their time. The
average cost to do a normal sized driveway is about $250.
- Bеnеfits of DIY prеssurе washing
You can do it at your own time, and pace. There’s also no cost or money
involved. You do have to make an initial investment to purchase the unit along
with any accessories and chemicals.
- Conclusion
If you are a homeowner, and you have patience, time, and a DIY mentality, you
can more than likely pressure wash your property. This also depends on what type
of pressure washing you are doing. If you have a very bad driveway or surface,
you may need to hire a professional that uses a high powered unit, with proper
chemicals to ensure that surfaces look new again.
This guide was written and composed by: Near Me BlastWash