Power Washing Process – A Quick Walkthrough

Author: Baltimore Pressure Washers

Power washing is the best way to remove stains from the exterior of a house before painting. This method can eliminate dirt and other particles from the old paint and keep the surface truly clean before painting is done. In effect, this can ensure a long-lasting new coat of paint.

If you prefer to power wash outside of the house yourself, you can easily rent a pressure washer from a rental shop. If you want to mix water with detergent, choose a kind of equipment that allows the mixture into the spray. Mix one pound of the detergent for every four gallons of water then spray, but in rinsing, you must use water only.

Things You Need

  • Power washer
  • Ladders
  • Buckets
  • Scrub brushes
  • Poles
  • Window cleaner
  • Bleach
  • Detergent

How to do Power Washing?

Step 1 – Scrub the surface for any mildew before getting started.

Step 2 – Use both hands to hold and operate the power washing equipment to make it firm and strong to spray. Never operate the equipment while standing on a ladder.

Step 3 – Cover the plants, electrical fixtures, or any delicate materials which can be affected by power washing with plastic, duct tape, or thick cloth. If possible, remove any outdoor furniture away from the house.

Step 4 – Hold the wand tightly at approximately 45-degree angle and start spraying soffits, overhangs, gutters, and downspouts. Then, move the wand from one side to another at a steady motion. Hold the nozzle at least two feet away from the wall and have a flexible adjustment of the distance back and forth for the best cleaning results.

Power or pressure washing applies to any surface that has no cracks and to almost any kind of finish. This process of cleaning the entire area to be painted is advisable to determine any damage that is not visible, subject for repairing before painting is applied. Some homeowners want to bleach their home, and in doing so, they use vinegar instead of bleach.

Precautions in Power Washing

  • High water pressure can cause difficulty in handling the pressure washing equipment, which can lead to accidents and destruction.
  • Too much time spent in spraying an area can cause erosion or greater damage to the home.
  • If the wall is made of wood or vinyl panels, pressure washing should be done carefully so as not to create moisture under and between the sidings. If this happens, moisture that does not have a free-flowing outlet that keeps it from evaporating can cause damage inside the walls.
  • Power washing can destroy the house paint, mainly if it is already in the fading or peeling-off stage.

Power washing is a great way to clean the exterior surface of your home, which has been exposed to dirt and elements; however, to achieve a good result, sufficient skill is needed. If you cannot do it efficiently and safely, it will be better to hire the services of a professional pressure washer.