Joshua It’s easy for a homeowner to put off home maintenance projects. Pressure washing is a great way to remove accumulated grime, mold, and mildew from surfaces. Our trusted supplier of residential, industrial and commercial pressure washers that are high-quality and reliable is here to give you Pressure Washing in Bournemouth tips.
Here are some tips on how to pressure wash in almost any situation.
Safety is the first priority whenever you operate a pressure washer, no matter what cleaning project you are working on. Avoid high-voltage zones, such as electrical lines, conduits, and electrical appliances. Always wear safety gear including eye and ear protection, closed-toe shoes and ear plugs.
Pressure Washing Brick Siding
Brick homes can be beautiful, durable and timeless. However, like any other surface, they become dirty and mossy over time and require regular maintenance. Brick is porous, and therefore more susceptible to structural damage and discoloration than other materials. Before you pressure wash brick surfaces, it is important to know how they should be cleaned.
You must repair them before you start pressure washing. Before you begin pressure washing, repair any cracks or holes. Patch these areas carefully with mortar, and allow them to cure for a minimum of a week. Once the areas are dry, you may begin to pressure wash them.
Use the following steps to pressure wash bricks:
- Prepare your surface: Soaking and saturating the bricks with water. This will stop the bricks from being absorbed by harsh detergents.
- Test an area: A small brick area to determine the pressure required to clean the area.
- Detergent: Spray a brick cleaning detergent on the bricks, spraying it from the bottom up to avoid streaking. Allow the detergent to soak in for 5-10 mins. Do not allow the detergent surface to dry completely.
- Rinse the surface: To finish the cleaning process, gently spray water on the surface. This will remove all residue and detergent.
You can choose to use a brick and mortar sealant. You can find a brick-specific sealant at your local hardware store.
Pressure Washing Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is popular for homes. Vinyl is a low maintenance, affordable material that doesn’t need to be painted. It’s notorious for collecting mold, mildew and dirt.
Before you start pressure washing vinyl siding, you should know that it is malleable and you shouldn’t use too much pressure or force.
Use the following steps to pressure wash vinyl siding.
- Examine your surroundings: Take a good look around your house. Protect any shrubs and bushes from being damaged by the high-pressure spray with a plastic tablecloth or drop cloth.
- Quick Connect Nozzle: The 15-degree quick connector nozzle is recommended for this application. Keep the nozzle moving while standing 3 to 4 feet from your surface.
- Test a small section: To determine the pressure required to clean the vinyl, test a small portion of the surface.
- Detergent: Pressure wash your siding before applying detergent. Use clean water to pressure-wash your siding.
- Apply the detergent using a low pressure setting. Spray wand: From bottom to top, use smooth and steady strokes left to right. Avoid spraying under vinyl siding by keeping the wand pointing slightly downward.
- Rinse the surface: To finish the cleaning process, gently spray water on the surface. This will remove all residue and detergent. Work your way from the top to the bottom.
Pressure Washing Decks
You love your deck. You can read, relax and have fun on your deck. Be sure to learn how to protect and preserve it.
Pressure wash your deck by following the steps below:
- Prepare your surface: By sweeping, rinsing and thoroughly wetting your deck. Remove all dirt and loose debris.
- Test a small section: To determine the pressure required to clean your deck, test a small portion of the surface.
- Use the 25-degree quick connector nozzle. This nozzle size is ideal for cleaning decks, removing mildew and mud from surfaces and sweeping up dirt.
- Avoid damage by pressure washing at a distance between 8 and 12 inches. Sweep the wood grain with the nozzle to prevent uneven spots or lap marks. Keep the nozzle moving to avoid uneven spots and lap marks.
- Let the deck dry: Allow the deck to dry at least 24 hrs after cleaning. Apply a deck sealant or coating to extend the life of your deck and improve its appearance.
Pressure washing concrete surfaces
Pressure washers can quickly clean and discolor concrete. You can choose from a wide range of electric and gas powered pressure washers. In no time, your concrete surfaces will look brand new!
Use the following steps to pressure wash concrete surfaces.
- Prepare your surface: Move lawn furniture, potted plants and toys that may be damaged by pressure washing.
- Detergent: Apply the detergent that is best for concrete surfaces. Apply detergent using the spray wand and soap tip. Allow the detergent to soak in for 10 minutes.
- Pressure washing: Once the detergent has penetrated your concrete, you can blast off all the buildup. Use a high pressure spray and keep the nozzle 10 inches from the surface. Make sure to use smooth, back-and-forth motions and overlap each pass by 5 or more inches. If you have really dirty patches on your car, it may be necessary to use several passes of the pressure washer.
Pressure washing Fencing
Don’t forget to pressure wash your fences after you have cleaned your deck, siding and concrete surfaces.
- Prepare the area: By clearing away all objects, and/or covering plants and bushes around the fence. This will allow you to access the fence directly and prevent damage.
- Quick Connect Nozzles: Select the correct quick connect nozzle. To start, we recommend using a 25-degree angle nozzle. If you want more power you can switch to a nozzle with a 15-degree angle. Keep a safe distance away from the fence to prevent damage.
- Hold the sprayer 3-4 feet away from fence surface and apply a detergent: Do not hold the sprayer at one spot for wooden fences, as this may damage the wood. Move closer and use different angles if necessary.
- Rinse your surface: Rinse the fence with clean water.
To end any pressure-washing task, celebrate your job well done. Our ultimate guide should have shown you the best way to use a power washer for many outdoor cleaning jobs.