10 Profitable Things to Know Before Pressure Wash Anything

Has the patio turned into an open invitation for unwanted dirt and specimens? Has the outdoor space turned slippery?

Say welcome to pressure washers, as this life-saving equipment will ensure you don’t live amidst dirt anymore. You can clean everything, from the roof to the fence, using these washers. However, note that these powerful cleaners come with a note of caution. If you plan to pressure wash the area near you, then these tips can come in handy. We believe that these tips act as a guide to good pressure washing.

Things to know before pressure washing

#1 Power Wash vs. Pressure Wash

If you plan to clean concrete floors or get rid of the dirt on the bricks of the house, you should avoid power washing. Steam cleaning may not be ideal for these surfaces. It would help if you opted for pressure washing at this point.

Pressure washing is most suited for decks and patios. You can clean siding, tiled surfaces, and wood decks using this method.

Power washing should be used when you are cleaning driveways. It is best suited to remove grime that is stuck on the surfaces. Use power washing on surfaces that can withstand steam and pressure.

#2 The Nozzle that Works

Choosing a nozzle for your pressure wash equipment is essential. It helps ensure the proper removal of dirt effortlessly.

The pressure washer nozzles are color-coded, and each color signifies the angle of the water stream.

• The red tip nozzle has a narrow-angle, i.e., zero. If you are using this tip, the water can flow dangerously fast. Hence, use this nozzle carefully
• Yellow nozzle comes with a 15-degree angle. You can use it to pressure wash the concrete around the house
• Green tip nozzle hosts a 25-degree angle, and you can use it for car cleaning. It is an all-purpose cleaning nozzle
• White and black are 40-degree and 65-degree nozzles, respectively. While you can use white to clean the home exteriors, black allows you to wet the area around you for ease of cleaning.

#3 Size of your Washer

For satisfactory washing, make sure to invest in the right size. Whether it is a gas or an electric washer, size plays a significant role in properly cleaning the space. The size determines the washer’s power unit and how effective it will be for the particular area.

• The light-duty washers come with a 2000 PSI water pressure level. It is best suited for small and compact spaces
• The heavy-duty washers with 2900-3300 PSI can help you clean massive spaces.
• If you want to clean the driveway or the fence, you should go with medium-duty pressure washers. They provide up to 2800 PSI pressure
• However, if you are going to take up  pressure washing services professionally, you should opt for the professional-grade washers that offer pressure levels higher than 3300 PSI.

#4 Different Types of Cleaners

There are different types of cleaners available in the market. It is essential to note which ones are used for residential cleaning and what cleaners solve the commercial cleaning issues.

Before investing in cleaners for your pressure washers, make sure to read the labels. You can buy a sanitizer that is used to kill germs. However, they won’t be able to remove the dirt or grime stuck on the surface.

When you are cleaning concrete surfaces, you cannot use the solutions used to clean wooden surfaces.

• Identify the cleaning purpose
• Know the cleaning agents for the different surfaces
• What cleaners will you need to wash these areas?

#5 Tips to Staying Safe

Pressure washing is not as safe as you believe it to be. As a result, you should be careful when starting with this cleaning technique. Here are a few tips that should help you out.

• When you are using a pressure washer, avoid spraying water near the electrical outlet
• It is dangerous to use the spray on another person
• When using the spray, make sure to shield your entire face and keep it protected
• Before starting, use it at the lowest pressure and spray it along the hard surface
• Before you begin using the washer, ask for a demo. Knowing how to use it can help avoid tactics that prove to be dangerous
• Choose the right nozzle for the area that you are washing to avoid hazards.

#6 When to Pressure Wash?

You cannot pressure wash throughout the year. While pursuing outdoor cleaning, It is ideal to do so during spring or summer. It will dry off quickly, and your efforts will last longer during the season. During the winters, pressure washing can cause thermal shock and may cause damage to the cleaning surfaces. 

#7 How to Pressure Wash?

It is essential to know a few basic things about pressure washing before getting started.

1. You should wear the protective shield that covers your ears and eyes before getting started. The noise of the washer can be unbearable, which is why it is crucial to cover your ears as well
2. Start with low pressure, and hold the handle very tightly so that the pressure washer does not slip out of your hands
3. Once confident, you can increase the washer pressure to suit your requirements
4. When using the washer, keep the tip of the spray at least 18 inches away from your face.

#8 Surfaces & How to Clean

The cleaning methods need to be different for the various surfaces.

• When you are cleaning hard wooden surfaces, you should first wet the whole body by moving the nozzle evenly. Make sure you don’t stop midway. Complete spraying the water before you stop cleaning the surface
• Once you are done with washing the wooden area, you should let it dry for a while before you move ahead with post pressure washing techniques
• When it is the concrete surface, you must scrub a bit before you start pressure washing and cleaning. You should use the cleaners that can help with scrubbing and remove the grime
• Use the cleaning agents and solutions that can help remove the dirt that is present on the surface

#9 Having a Plan

When you set out to pressure wash the surface, have a plan and timeline ready. It is also important to note the budget you have defined for pressure washing. For instance, if you are planning to pressure wash the outdoors, you will need to identify the washer’s rental cost, the cleaning agent cost, and the overall time that you will take to finish the cleaning.

#10 What After Pressure Wash

Post pressure wash care is essential, as you want to kill the germs and maintain a clean area. Allow the spaces to dry before you start moving along the area. Use sanitizer spray to remove the dirt and dust. Take note of all the post-care rules so that the space is completely ready for use.

Wrapping Up

If you are not too confident about pressure washing the area by yourself, then hire a professional. Aarons pressure washing is an experienced pressure washing agency that can bypass all your worries of pressure washing and get the job done in a jiffy.