We often focus on the interior of our home, leaving dirt and dust to build up on the exterior walls. However, a good house exterior leaves a great impression upon everyone. Hence, it is necessary to pressure wash your house. While cleaning the exterior of your home may sound exhausting and full of hassles, home power washing is one of the easiest ways to do so. In this article, we are going to tell you how you can pressure wash your house.
See also: How to clean wooden floors?
Choose the right power/pressure washer for your home
The first step is to select the right power/pressure washer. Look for appropriate power and pressure settings.
Generally, a pressure washer with a 2000-3000 PSI (pounds per square inch) is preferred by most people.
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Safety first
While working with a power washer, it is essential to wear safety gear such as goggles, gloves and specific clothes so that you do not get dirty or wet while cleaning. Since the pressure is high, avoid pointing the power washer towards other people, animals or delicate objects.
Never use the power washer at a straight angle as the high pressure will cause water to slide on the side. It is best to hold the wand at a 45 degree angle to ease up the process for you.
Never use a ladder while cleaning your home with a power washer as it can cause severe accidents. In case you need to reach higher areas, you can use an extension wand.
Remove obstacles
It is important to clean around your home and remove anything that might affect your washing process. Remove delicate objects such as plant pots and make sure there are no kids or pets around. Also do not point the power washer towards windows or else they might break under high pressure.
Use a garden hose first
Before using a power washer, you should use a garden hose to wet the surface so that the mud and other impurities loosen up. This makes it easier for you to clean with the power washer.
Decide whether you need detergent or not
Using detergent is optional and if your home exterior has excess grime buildup, you can use a suitable detergent. It is advised to use it at the bottom first and then work your way up. You can also follow the manual to use it better.
Connect the nozzle and start power washing your home
Decide what type of nozzle you wish to use for your pressure washer. Generally, for homes it is advised to use a wide angle nozzle with a 25-40 degree angle as it covers more surface area with a pressure suitable for washing houses.
After connecting the nozzle, you can start rinsing your home thoroughly. Start from the top and gradually move towards the bottom. If you hold it at a straight angle it can cause damage so you should hold the wand at a 45 degree angle to ease up the process.
Rinse properly
Rinse your home several times in an overlapping motion to ensure you clean everything and if you applied the detergent make sure you have washed it off properly. Ensure that all the dirt has been removed.
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Let your home dry
After you are done with washing, let your home dry for a few hours before checking for the left out dirt. After drying, if there are any stains that are still left, take a sponge and clean them with a detergent again.
You can use the power washer again if you haven’t achieved the desired results. You can even consider changing the nozzle settings if you wish to clean a smaller area.
Paint if needed
To enhance the appearance even more, you can consider painting the exterior of your home or sealing it. This also helps protect your home from dirt.
FAQs
How often should I power wash my home?
You can clean your home in one to three years. It also depends on how often dirt gets collected on the surface.
Can I power wash my home in cold temperatures?
Avoid using the power washer in times when it is freezing cold.
Can I clean my windows with a pressure washer?
Although it can damage your windows due to the high pressure, you can use it at a lower pressure to clean doors and windows.
Can I use a normal garden hose instead of a power washer?
Although you can use a garden hose, it might not be as effective as a power washer in cleaning stubborn stains.
Can I remove mould completely with the help of a power washer?
Yes, you can remove a mould but a stubborn mold might get removed in a few tries.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
