When it comes to your home – whether you’re buying, selling, or living – you want things to look good. There are few things more relaxing than coming back to clean, beautiful space after a long day of work. So you spend your time sweeping and mopping on the inside, raking and mowing on the outside. But you missed a spot.
Even when the whole house is clean, if the driveway, siding, fence, and deck are still grimy looking, it ruins the whole façade. Enter the power of the pressure washer – these high-powered sprayers are capable of removing years of dirt, mildew, and stains from your home so that it makes a bold impression every time. Today, we’re going to focus on how you can use a pressure washer to clean up those trouble spots and make your home shine like new!
What is a pressure washer?
Pressure washers typically operate with an electric motor – although some industrial grade models use fuels like gasoline or diesel – and sprays waters at varying levels of power to clean dirty exterior surfaces. Most models have a nozzle or various attachments that allow you to adjust the spray’s pressure and easily turn the device on and off. Some pressure washers even allow you to add detergent in case you need some extra oomph to remove stubborn spots.
Why is pressure washing beneficial?
With the use of high-powered water, pressure washing goes above and beyond normal cleaning techniques and can really give your home a facelift to make it look vibrant and new. The process removes debris to reveal the true surface of your home, fence, deck, etc. – giving it the same fresh look that comes from a new coat of paint.
Pressure washing is also great for cleaning driveways and sidewalks, which can suffer discoloration and stains from water runoff, leaking car fluids, skid- and tire-marks, etc. In short, pressure washing is a great way to round out a big outdoor cleanup to improve your home’s curb appeal.
Is pressure washing safe?
When it comes to safety, there are two things to consider when pressure washing: your personal safety and that of the item(s) you’re washing. For personal protection, it’s important to refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for your model of washer to make sure you’re using the appropriate PSI (pressure) level for each project. Never use a pressure washer while standing on a ladder or any other elevated surface. Wear proper protective gear – long pants/sleeves, eye protection, and closed-toed shoes – and never allow your skin to come in contact with the stream of pressurized water.
As for materials that are pressure-washer safe, most exterior home surfaces can be safely power washed if you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for washer settings. Too much pressure can strip paint and gouge wood, which can cause immediate damage AND long-term damage due to lost weatherproofing.