A pressure washer changes the flow of a regular garden hose into a powerful spray. The exterior of your home may benefit from learning how to use a pressure washer for a variety of tasks and surfaces, such as cleaning off accumulated dirt and grime or getting ready for a fresh coat of paint. However, if misused, it may swiftly degrade surfaces, so planning and prudence are crucial. The following tips will help you use pressure washing safely and effectively clean typical outdoor surfaces.
Step 1: Prepare Area
Table Contents
Moving patio furniture, plants in pots, and other accessories out of the cleaning area is an excellent place to start. Sweep away bulky debris, such as rocks and twigs that could be sprayed and turned into projectiles. If outside lights, sound systems, or other features are in the direct path of water or could receive a lot of spray, cover them with a tarp and any nearby plants and landscaping.
Exteriors of houses and garages need to be taken into account further. Close windows and doors, and if you can, use tarps or plastic and duct tape to cover outlets, doorbells, light fixtures, and air conditioner units. When pressure washing an area, turn off the electrical to any external outlets. The intention is to keep water out of your home and separate electrical and water.
Step 2: Assemble Pressure Washing Tools
To put the pressure washer together, adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions. You can use extension or telescoping wands, common attachments, to clean higher, more difficult-to-reach siding. Make sure to apply fuel and oil to gas-powered models as instructed.
Locate a hose that will join the pressure washer to your house’s water supply, ensuring it is leak-free. If using a cleaning solution for mould removal, prepare a lot of detergent and necessary tools. Use safety goggles and footwear with closed toes to avoid being unexpectedly swept by forceful water steam across your toes, splashback, or ricocheting debris.
Step 3: Choose Correct Nozzle
Pressure washers include several nozzles that govern how the water exits the machine (but some models have an adjustable nozzle with different spray settings). Machines may be delivered with some or all of the following nozzles, which are often universal in colour and degree:
- The most potent spray, the 0-degree spray (red), should not be utilised for routine exterior home cleaning operations and is rarely used.
- Yellow 15-degree spray: Useful for demanding tasks like paint removal on hard surfaces.
- Spray at 25 degrees (green): suitable for rigid, unpainted siding and concrete.
- Spray at 40 degrees (white): Ideal for siding and other softer surfaces vulnerable to damage.
Step 4: Connect Hose
Your home’s water supply should be connected to a conventional garden hose. To expel any air or debris that has been trapped, run the hose for 30 to 60 seconds. After turning off the spigot, attach the other end of the line to the water intake of the pressure washer.
The washer must operate at a constant pressure from the water supply in your home. To evaluate the performance of your source, use a water pressure gauge connected to the fixture. The instrument should function adequately if the reading is between 40 and 60 PSI.
Step 5: Apply Detergent
Following the manufacturer’s instructions, prepare and use the cleaning solution. Ensure you’re incorporating the detergent (into the machine tank or through the syphon tube) as instructed and that the low-pressure soap nozzle is in place if you’re using the pressure washer to apply the detergent.
Apply the cleaning solution to vertical surfaces like siding, fences, sloped driveways, or landscaping steps from bottom to top, sweeping from side to side to ensure soap runs downhill and moistens the below regions. Manufacturer instructions will tell you how long to wait before washing the detergent.
Step 6: Clean Using Pressure Washing
Activate the apparatus. Before unlocking and pulling the trigger to start pressure washing, choose a small area to test the pressure in. Spray siding with the nozzle at least four feet away from the surface to prevent quickly exerting too much pressure. Instead of aiming the spray directly down on decking or other horizontal surfaces, aim it more in front of you. When the surface is clean but not damaged, get closer and adjust the holding angle of the wand. Use the nozzle as far away from the surface as possible.
If the current configuration is ineffective for mould removal, you can try changing the nozzle while being careful to restart from a distance. You shouldn’t swap the nozzle tips unless the engine is off, the wand pressure has been released, and the trigger lock is engaged.
As soon as you’ve selected the ideal location, begin cleaning. When using horizontal surfaces, especially, spray away from your line of sight. Start at the top of the area you’re working on while cleaning vertical surfaces, moving down while sweeping back and forth to let dirt and debris fall into the areas that need to be cleaned. To clean uniformly, use overlapping motions; stay away from repeatedly pressing directly on one area.
Do not spray anything you have covered directly, such as outlets, light fixtures, or areas where water could enter the house, such as doors and windows. Also, refrain from spraying outlets. Use of the pressure washer near metres, satellites, cable boxes, power lines, and other utilities is not recommended.
Connect with Exterior Clean Melbourne Today!
Pressure washing is a solid and efficient way to clean your property’s outside surfaces. With the help of other undesirable pollutants like mould and dirt, it renews and restores surfaces. This procedure not only improves your home’s curb appeal but also shields it from potential harm brought on by the accumulation of toxic pollutants. Pressure washing is a quick, time-saving, and environmentally friendly way to make your home or business look new, well-kept, and welcoming to visitors. It’s a wise investment for maintaining the property’s appearance and value.