Pressure washing is a quick and effective way to clean and refresh the exterior of your home or business. If you’re looking to tackle this task on your own, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
- Gather your equipment: You will need a pressure washer, a pressure washer hose, and various nozzles for different types of surfaces. You may also want to have some cleaning solutions on hand, depending on the type of dirt or stains you are trying to remove.
- Prep the area: Remove any loose debris or clutter from the area you will be pressure washing. This will make the cleaning process easier and prevent any debris from being blasted onto other surfaces.
- Set up your pressure washer: Connect the hose to the pressure washer and attach the appropriate nozzle for the surface you will be cleaning. Fill the pressure washer with water and any cleaning solutions you will be using. If the wrong nozzle or too much PSI is used on certain surfaces you may remove paint, break glass or even etch concrete.
- Begin pressure washing: Start at the top of the surface and work your way down, using a back and forth motion. Be sure to hold the nozzle at a distance of at least 12 inches from the surface to prevent damaging it.
- Rinse the surface: Once you have finished pressure washing, use the pressure washer to rinse the surface to remove any remaining dirt or cleaning solution.
- Allow the surface to dry: Allow the surface to air dry or use a clean, dry cloth to wipe it down.
- Pressure does not remove, oil stains, battery acid, tree sap, rust, acorn stains and many more common stains around a home or business. Chemicals will be required to remove those stains.
Pressure washing can be a great DIY project, but it’s important to exercise caution when using a pressure washer. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use the appropriate nozzle for the surface you are cleaning to prevent damaging it. If you are unsure about the proper use of a pressure washer, it may be best to hire a professional pressure washing company to handle the job.
