Things to Be Aware of Before Hiring a Pressure Washer

Jun 30

The process of pressure washing, or power washing involves the application of water at high pressure to clean and remove dirt, paint, grease, mold, bacteria, dirt, chewing gum, and grime from surfaces. While the terms "power wash" and "pressure wash" are often interchangeable, they refer to two distinct processes. Both use water at high pressure to clean surfaces. But power washing has a heating element that heats the water, while pressure washing doesn't.

Warm water cleans better, as with all cleaning processes. Some items should be pressure washed with additional chemicals such as baking soda or citric acid. Here are seven more things to know before you power wash or pressure wash your home.

1: How to know when to power wash vs. pressure wash

A good steam cleaning is a great idea for your home, deck, driveway, and other household elements. The most stubborn dirt or stains can be removed by hot water using a high-pressure hose. However, hot water is not the best choice for bricks, concrete, or masonry. It comes at a price. These surfaces can be damaged by power washing. Use a pressure washing Bend Oregon pro that can help with the right cleaner instead.

Power Washer – The Heavy-Duty Option

For large areas, such as driveways that are extra-long or very long
Use it where you have severe dirt, grease, moss and weed buildup, or if your surfaces are slick due to mold. This heated water can loosen the grime from outdoors, just like hot water does a better job cleaning dishes and floors than cold. It prevents the rapid return of mold and moss.
Use power washers for hard surfaces that can withstand heat and pressure

Pressure washer - Safer for surfaces Option

This is a great option for small patios, decks, and driveways.
Use these surfaces for soft surfaces such as siding, wood decks and tiled areas
Use in brick, concrete, and masonry areas

2: Understand the differences between commercial and residential detergents.

Different cleaning products have different properties. It is possible to make the difference between cleaning the area and damaging it by understanding the differences in cleaners. There are four types that are used in power/pressure washers. These chemicals are labeled according to their intended purpose and the surface on which they are used. While cleaners remove dirt, sanitizers kill 99.999% of bacteria in less than 30 seconds and disinfectants kill all bacteria within 30 minutes.

Every surface that you are cleaning is unique. Different surfaces require different techniques, pressures, pressures, and even different chemicals. You don't need to be a professional to use the premixed cleaners that are designed for cleaning specific surfaces, such as Krudkutter for siding and house, or Krudkutter to clean decks and fences. There are special soaps for concrete, wood, driveways, and concrete. It is important to choose the right cleaner for your job. Although you can clean surfaces with water and power washing, it is much more effective to use hot water and soap.

3: How to wash.

You can't safely power wash every surface around your home. These are the surfaces you should not try to power wash or pressure clean:

Laminar sandstone: You'll just wash it off or leave grooves in it. It's not a material that can be power washed or pressure washed.
Anything painted – While you can wash the items without damaging them, it's best to get help from a professional.
Asphalt roofing - Pressure washing and power washing will remove the asphalt roof's granules.
No matter how old it may be, anything old will work - This includes furniture, decks, and wooden buildings. You may have dry rot that will fall apart under a pressure washer. Even the most beautiful wood can become softened and damaged by a pressure washing.
Stain wood - You can clean the wood with pressure or power washing. If you're able to do that, great! But if not, it may be necessary to re-stain the wood after it has dried.

4: Be sure to consider the area that needs to be cleaned, as well as the surface.

Because heat is the main difference between the two cleaning methods, it's important you consider both the area and the type of surface that you'll be cleaning. The main advantage to hot water over unheated is its ability to deep clean more efficiently and effectively. For larger areas, heated water is a better choice. A power washer is an option if you must clean large areas with salt, mildew, or weeds.

Five - Learn the differences between home and commercial power washers

If you are a dedicated Do-it-Yourselfer, renting a commercial power washing machine is better than buying or using a small home unit. You can also hire a professional. You can either damage the item or leave visible cleaning lines, no matter if the unit is commercial or a home. You could also inflict injury on someone or damage the power washer.

Sixty: Power washing and pressure washing are dangerous.

It is very dangerous, even though it might not appear that the water stream could be harmful to human health. It emerges from the end at a force of up to 2000 pounds. This is enough to send chunks of concrete or stone flying at you and others with the force and deadliness a bullet. Here are some tips for power/pressure washers:

Never spray a power/pressure washing machine at an electrical or water outlet. Cover all outlets and water pipes before spraying.
Spraying a pressure washer/power washer at another person is a dangerous act that can lead to serious injuries or even death.
Spraying with safety glasses, goggles or better yet, a complete face shield is advisable
You can spray close to the surface, which is great for some applications. But you need to keep at least five to six feet away until you see how the spray reacts.
You should start at the lowest setting and then test it on a flat surface before you spray windows or other soft surfaces.
Start at the top and work your way downwards, so that dirty water doesn’t get on top of clean surfaces.
Spray the solution first. Allow it to soak for 5-10 minutes. Rinse immediately with clean water. The cleaning solution will not dry on the surface. This can cause dirt to be redeposited. It can be sprayed with an ordinary garden hose to keep it moistened or wet while it soaks.
It all depends on how big the area is and what needs to get cleaned. Also, your resources.
Ask the shop clerk to demonstrate the operation of the unit if you are renting it.
You must ensure that you are using the right nozzle to do the job. A 0-degree spray nozzle produces the strongest spray. This nozzle is ideal for cleaning stains, dirt, and algae. A 40-degree sprayer is wider and can be used for house siding, sidewalks, or patios.

Seven - Consider the year

Most pressure washing/power washing takes place in spring or fall. You should check the weather forecast for warm days. In warm or cool weather, you can pour water into cracks and crevices. But if it is expected to freeze within a few hours of pressure/washing, water could freeze and expand, which could cause damage. Be sure to wash when temperatures aren't below freezing.

You can clean your home with power/pressure washing. But be careful if this is your first time using a sprayer. Learn all you can about cleaning your house, car, fence, driveway, and more before you start to use your washer.

pressure washing Bend Oregon

power washing Bend Oregon

green pressure washing

gutter cleaning Bend Oregon

concrete washing Bend Oregon

soft wash Bend Oregon