Here’s a comprehensive guide for you, if you’re looking to power wash something around your home.
Living in the best houses for rent in Berkeley CA is like living your dream. Berkeley is indeed a beautiful city in California that many of us aspire to dwell in. However, this article is not about the perks of living in Berkeley, but a home improvement technique that homeowners and renters can make use of. The technique is called Power/Pressure Washing.
Power washing is a home improvement technique, where you remove rigid dirt, loose paint, dust, mold, algae, and other objects from the surfaces using high-pressure water. During the process, the water is heated up, and a hot water shot comes out of the high-pressure hose. This cleans the most severe stains on varied surfaces like fences, buildings, vehicles, concrete driveways, and other similar surfaces.
Pressure wash is a bit different from power wash in the fact that it doesn’t heat the water while washing the surfaces. So, if it is about cleaning better with heated water, people prefer power washing.
Before you power wash a surface, there are a few noteworthy things that you must know and consider. The article throws light on those things. So, read till the end.
7 Things You Should Know Before You Power Wash Anything
- When Should You Power Wash & When to Pressure Wash?
Power washing cannot be used on every surface. For instance, for surfaces like concrete or brick masonry, it cannot be an ideal wash as it may prove to be severely harsh on them. Here, you can opt for pressure washing to keep the surface from damage.
The following points bifurcate the surfaces based on power and pressure washing.
Power Wash is suitable for the following surfaces:
Power washing on these surfaces not only removes dirt, mold, etc. but also prevents them from growing back.
- Extra large or long areas, such as driveways.
- Areas with extremely stubborn mold, first, dust, weed, etc. These include outdoor areas, floors, etc.
- Hard surfaces that can withstand heat pressure.
Pressure wash is suitable for the following surfaces:
Pressure washing is used for comparatively smaller areas.
- Small deck, driveway, or patio.
- Soft areas such as side walls, tile, wood decks, etc.
- Brick and concrete masonry.
- What Should You Wash and What You Shouldn’t?
Power and pressure washing is not made for all kinds of surfaces. Excessive pressure, chemical, or hot water can damage soft surfaces, in particular. Following are the surfaces where you shouldn’t apply these techniques:
- Asphalt Roofing
- Painted Surfaces
- Stained Wood
- Laminar Sandstone
- Old surfaces or objects such as furniture, buildings, etc.
- What type of Surface has to be washed? What is the size of the surface to be washed?
As mentioned above, it is important to consider the surface before you decide whether to power wash or pressure wash. Once that is done, consider the total size of the surface to understand the cleaning requirements and perform the process effectively.
- How do Residential and Professional Cleaning Solutions Differ?
When it comes to power or pressure washing something, additional chemicals. Acids, detergents, soaps, vinegar, and disinfectants are also used. However, before you choose them, consider if you’re cleaning a commercial or residential surface, as not all cleaners are the same.
Some are cleaners, which are used to clean dirt. Others are sanitizers, which can kill most of the bacteria in a few seconds. And then there are disinfectants, which kill all the organisms present in the dirt in less than an hour.
Consider the type of surface before picking the right type of cleaner for commercial and residential areas. You can also go for premixed cleaners if you are not a professional. With the right technique, cleaner, nozzle pressure, and chemicals, you can effectively clean the surface within the dedicated time.
- What is the Difference Between Residential and Commercial Power Washers?
This point is for those who love to do it by themselves. If it is a large area, choose to rent a power washing machine instead of buying one every time you do the washing. Make sure to have the required equipment such as gloves, shoes, headphones, goggles, etc. before you begin. If you are not a DIY enthusiast, hire a professional in Berkeley to do it without damage.
- What is the best time to Power or Pressure Wash?
The best time to power or pressure wash is fall or spring. However, make sure that the weather forecast doesn’t predict snowfall or freezing climate in a few days. This may force the water to freeze or expand, causing damage to the cleaned area. Hence, you must take care of the temperature and that it doesn’t fall to freeze.
- Are These Processes Dangerous?
It is important to note that the water comes from the nozzle at a speed of up to 2000 pounds. Hence, you can imagine that the force is too much for anyone. In this case, remember the following things.
- Cover all the electric and water outlets before using power or pressure washers so that no water goes into them while spraying.
- Never spray the water pressure on another human, as it may have the force of a bullet and may either hurt or kill him.
- Don’t forget to wear essential safety gadgets and use equipment to safeguard yourself during the washing.
- Keep a distance of at least 5-6 feet from the surface where you are applying the pressure.
- First, test the water pressure with the lowest setting possible. Besides, examine it on a hard surface before spraying the chemicals or water on the dedicated surface.
- Hire commercial power washing personnel, depending on the size of the surface. If you are doing it yourself, make sure to get fully trained by a professional before beginning the procedure.
Final Thoughts
Both, Power and pressure washing are vital techniques for cleaning various commercial and residential surfaces. However, you must have proper knowledge about the technique and safety precautions, before you get into it. We hope the above home improvement article was helpful to you. Get more such articles and ideas on Raj Properties.
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