Pressure Washing Your House
Pressure washing your house is the best way to clean the exterior or
prep it for new paint. Commercial
house washers charge a
lot of money for this service that most homeowners can do
themselves as a DIY project for a lot less money. Depending
where you live your house is susceptible to the elements of
nature: dirt, dust, acid rain, and mildew. Acid rain caused
house siding to appear gray and is difficult to clean. If
the dirt and grime is not removed periodically the siding
will deteriorate. The most practical way of removing these
harmful elements is to pressure wash the house. Spraying
high pressure water and, in some cases detergent, at high
velocity, will remove them as well as any deteriorated
paint. If you plan on painting your house this is a must if
you want the new paint to stay on the building.
A pressure washer can be used on most
siding, including vinyl, metal, masonry and wood. If you
have vinyl siding periodic pressure washing is nearly a must
to keep it looking fresh. Care must be taken when using it
on wood siding and brick. If
you use the wrong nozzle or hold the wand in the same place
too long it will damage the wood or remove the masonry
between the bricks.
You can
purchase a pressure washer from most any home improvement
supply center or rent one. A good pressure washer cost
between $350 and $500 depending on the size you want. Rental
prices run from $50 to $75 a day. Pressure washers come in
various sizes for different types of jobs, from a
bout 1200
to 3000 psi
(pounds
per square inch, the power of the spray). Whatever the
pressure capacity, the working pressure is determined by the
nozzle tip. Most pressure washers come with four different
nozzle tips. The tip you use is determined by the type of
siding you are cleaning. In addition, most units come with
the capability that permits a detergent to be aspirated into
the nozzle to assist in cleaning. The detergent you chose
depends on the type of material that you need to remove and
the size of the nozzle. A
750 psi nozzle tip is adequate for most jobs. I prefer the
Honda pressure washer which is more than adequate for
household use.Practice good
safety habits. A pressure washer can be harmful to the
operator if not used properly. Always use both hands and
never use it while standing on a ladder. Use a 6- to 12-foot
adjustable extension shaft for high areas, but be aware that
this can be a bit tricky to handle. Never use it around
electrical fixtures or power meters. Cover light fixtures
with plastic and tape to prevent water penetration. Always
wear eye protection!
If you have
never used a pressure washer for pressure washing your house, practice on an old piece of
siding to get the feel of its capability with various tips.
Using an incorrect tip will cause damage to the material and
remove paint. Depending on the material you are cleaning,
keep the nozzle approximately 3 to 6 inches away to avoid
damage. Always wash from the top down, this will avoid
streaking the lower level. After washing rinse the area with
clean water working from the top down. If you plan on
painting let dry for three days to insure that all the
moisture is
removed.
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