There are many things you can clean with a pressure washer, including the exterior of your home. It’s the most effective way to clear off years of accumulated dirt, soot, and grime that can dull the outer appearance of any house. Many homeowners will hire an Expert Pressure Washing Company to do the work for them, but most decide to do the work themselves.
This information is for those of you who fall into the latter category. Those of you who go out and rent or buy the equipment and start power washing the outside of their property. You should take some precautions first, before you set about doing the work of pressure washing the surfaces of the home. After all, there is a right way and a wrong way do this type of work and the latter can result in your inflicting some bad damage that can be expensive to repair or even replace.
So, let’s review some of the important things you should do before having your home pressure washed:
Surface Inspections
Depending on the type of materials that have been used in the construction of the home, this may require some closer inspection. That’s because some surfaces are better suited to withstand the type of pressure that a power washer can inflict. The most reliable surfaces that can stand up to consumer-grade equipment are things like brick, certain species of dense wood, concrete, stone, and many different types of exterior siding.
Be sure these surfaces are in good shape and there are no cracks, fractures, or damage that could compromise the material’s ability to withstand a pressure washer.
Shut Off the Electricity
Any exposed outlets or electrical fixtures such as lights or energy sources must be shut off before you allow any moisture to hit the exterior of your home. Closing off the electrical current is done to help prevent from you or anyone else becoming electrocuted or causing serious damage to your electrical system.
Once the juice is off, you should then go about covering up all exposed outlets and fixtures that could be damaged from excessive water. Use some plastic to cover these items thoroughly, so they remain dry and safe during the cleaning process. Be sure not to aim your pressure washer at fixtures that have glass components or you could end up shattering the fixture.
Pre-Soaking
The surface layers of dirt and grime can be tough to remove when dry. That’s why it’s a good idea to pre-soak the surface you plan to wash down first. It can help to loosen tough, hardened dirt that has become bonded to the outside of your home. Many homeowners will make the mistake of hitting the dirt with the highest setting on their nozzle, but this is a mistake and it could cause damage.
Pre-soaking alleviates all of that and allows the wetness to help loosen the dirt so that it comes away easier when you are ready to get started washing the exterior. Use the lowest pressure setting on your power washer to do the pre-soaking and then you can bring something a little stronger from there.