PRESSURE WASHING TIPS

Pressure washing can be messy and dangerous if it’s important to take the time to do it right.

For any pressure washing project, be sure to wear eye protection and hearing protection. Pressure washers are loud.

Until you gain confidence with the pressure washer, hold the wand securely with both hands so that it won’t fly out of your grip Keep the spray tip approximately 18 inches away from the surface you’re cleaning to minimize the risk of damage.

If you are thinking about pressure washing painted siding (or any other painted surface) from before 1978, don’t. Contact a professional pressure washer instead. Old paint can flake off when pressure washed, and neither you nor anyone else in your family—pets included—need to breathe in or accidentally consume lead paint chips or dust.

Check out these tips for safely pressure washing a few common areas around the house:

Cleaning a wood deck or fence

Pressure washing is a fantastic way to bring your wood deck or fence back to life. Here’s what you’ll need:

1 gas-powered pressure washer—you can use an electric power washer, but keep in mind that the job will take longer

2 A green-tipped nozzle for a 25-degree spray

3 Wood sealer of your choice

When I first learned to use the pressure washer, I made sure to test out my skills on the back side of our fence. The back of our property is completely wooded, and I figured the deer wouldn’t judge me for any pressure washing mistakes.

If this is your first time working with a pressure washer, I highly recommend you do a similar test run before beginning your project in earnest.

Here are my tips for getting results you’ll be proud of:

Move the pressure washer’s wand in an even, up-and-down motion.  For the most even cleaning, try not to let the spray linger in any one place. As you’re getting the hang of it, you may need to make a couple of passes over the same spot, but that’s much better than getting too aggressive and damaging the wood.

Don’t stop the spray in the middle of a board—wait until you’re at the top or bottom. Likewise, don’t start spraying in the middle of a board. Use overlapping strokes to avoid visible lines. Once you’ve finished pressure washing, it’s time to seal the wood to protect it from the elements. But first, let the wood dry for at least a day.

pressure wash concrete

I had no idea how dirty our driveway was until my husband cleaned it with the pressure washer. Granted, there’s a lot more to curb appeal than a clean driveway, but it sure does make a difference.

If you’d like to pressure wash your own concrete driveway, walkway, or patio, here are the supplies you’ll need:

Thoroughly sweep and brush off the surface before you start.

When you’re ready to pressure wash the surface, be sure to use the right nozzle—a narrow spray will have the most cleaning power.

If the stubborn stains need more help, add soap to the pressure washer’s detergent reservoir and switch to the nozzle labeled “soap.”

Particularly tough stains may need a few passes with the pressure washer, but once you’re satisfied, let the concrete dry completely before applying a sealer. While this last step isn’t absolutely necessary, it’s the best way to help keep the concrete looking good for the next few years.

Cleaning siding

Siding, especially vinyl siding, is prone to dulling and mildew growth over the years. Luckily, the best way to brighten your home’s exterior is a thorough pressure washing. Here’s what you’ll need to complete the job:

Gas pressure washer

Green- or white-tipped nozzle

Soap nozzle

A long-handled, stiff-bristle brush

House exterior cleaning solution. Keep an eye out for loose pieces of siding, cracks, and other breaches that could admit water during the cleaning process as well as during storms. These areas should be patched up before you pressure wash.

Once you’re ready to start cleaning, follow these steps:

Attach the soaping nozzle to the pressure washer’s wand and fill the machine’s detergent reservoir.

Use the pressure washer to apply soap to the siding. If your house has any especially dirty areas, you may need to either pretreat them and/or use a scrub brush to loosen the dirt or mildew.

Switch to the green- or white-tipped nozzle to rinse the siding. Both of these nozzles produce a stronger, higher-pressure stream of water, so rinsing away the dirt and soap and clearing any tough stains should be much easier.

Depending on the size of your home, this job may take a while. Don’t rush yourself, especially if you need to use a ladder. If the job takes you a few days or weekends to complete, so be it. Your safety is the most important consideration. Depending on the weather and other environmental factors, you will most likely need to wash your siding every couple of years.

On the other hand, you may decide that pressure washing is just too much of a hassle. And that’s OK! It’s a dirty job, after all, and you’re virtually guaranteed to get soaking wet. If you’d rather let someone else take care of the pressure Wash.

With some water and a little elbow grease, your home will be as clean on the outside as it is on the inside.

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