Pressure washing or power washing involves applying a high-pressure spray to clean old paint, dirt, and so on from hard surfaces and objects like building sidings and gutters.
Although “pressure washing” and “power washing” are used interchangeably, they are not the same. Both power and pressure washers use a high amount of pressure. The heating is one key difference between these two machines. While both machines can produce a powerful stream of highly pressurized water, the power washer is the only one that heats that water.
A pressure washer is a tool that has two to four high-pressure jets rotating, which turn when water is flowing. This action creates a cleaning pattern that can clean flat surfaces at a fast rate. There are two major types of pressure washers: gas and electric. Electric washers are suitable for smaller cleaning jobs, while gas washers work for bigger tasks. You can learn to do it yourself or hire a pressure-washing company.
How to Clean Siding and Gutters With a Pressure Washer?
Let’s look at how a pressure washer is used in cleaning gutters and sidings.
1. Inspect the Entire Building
Before beginning anything:
- Check the entire building to ensure everything is in place.
- Close all the windows in the house to prevent water from getting in.
- Cover up electrical outlets and outdoor furniture, too. Once everything is intact, your check is complete.
2. Change the Positions of Household Appliances
When pressure washing a house, you need to protect your belongings. Before you start up the pressure washer, move all household appliances that are outside away from the surfaces to be cleaned. The force of the pressure washer can easily break fragile objects and leave stains. When cleaning your gutter, cover up plants or any small trees to prevent cleaning chemicals from damaging them.
3. Hold the Pressure Washer With a Firm Grip
While cleaning, make sure you hold the pressure washing spray with a firm grip and at a good level. This will allow you to reach certain spots and when you can move on from them. In this position, you’ll have the most control over the spray. Don’t spray too high because the pressure washer won’t be able to make a perfect clean.
4. Hand-dry the Corners. Afterwards
Specific places are very prone to collecting the water, which can lead to decay and mold if not cleaned up. To avoid that, use a dry towel and hand dry all of the siding corners where water would most likely gather. Give a good scrub to remove anything that was there before.
5. Carefully Select Cleaning Products
While selecting cleaning products, note that not all cleaning products are used for siding or gutters. To avoid that mistake, make sure you read all product tags before purchasing. You can browse the net for the most suitable cleaning products for your siding or gutters.
6. Sweep Out Your Gutter Before Pressure Washing
Before you begin pressure washing, ensure your gutter is free from any foliage or debris. It is advisable to clear out the foliage or debris before beginning pressure washing to avoid clogging. Using a broom or a rake would be convenient to clean out debris.
7. Clear a Path to Walk When Pressure Washing the Gutters or Siding
As referred to in instruction number two, move all objects away. This is to prevent tripping over, which can cause accidents, major or minor. All objects, both big and small, should all be placed on one side to enable easier re-arrangement when you’re done with pressure washing.
8. Put on Cleaning Gloves and Safety Glasses
Safety first! Use cleaning gloves and safety glasses to prevent accidents like cuts, bruises, or debris from getting into your eyes. Clearing out a path is also helpful in reducing accidents.
9. Pressure Washing and Window Cleaning
There are some points to note when window cleaning with a pressure washer.
- When window cleaning with the pressure washer, close the windows tightly so that water doesn’t get inside the house.
- Remove screens from the windows, if any, because pressure washers can rip screens.
- Fill the pressure water tank with a window cleaner to wash the windows only.
- Set the pressure washer to the lowest setting to avoid cracks in your window.
- Rinse the windows with clean water, use a wide nozzle to spray, and still at the lowest setting.
10. Leave the Cleaning Product to Set in After Spraying
When you spray the siding or gutters with your preferred cleaning products, rest while you keep an eye on your work to allow it to set in and work on destroying all the dirt on the surfaces. Make sure it doesn’t dry; else, it’ll leave stains.
11. Don’t Spray Detergent on the Whole Workspace
To avoid detergent getting dry in any area, work in small sections at a time. If the place is windy or sunny, keep re-wetting your workspace as you work on it to help the detergent work on the dirt faster.
12. Clear the Dirt That Falls Around the House
After careful pressure washing:
- Clear the garbage all around.
- Use a broom or rake to do the job more efficiently.
- Sweep or rake and dispose of the trash.
13. Hire Pressure Washing Services
To prevent disorderly work, especially when you are just learning how to pressure wash, engage the services of a pressure washing company. They will do a professional job and be available to work whenever your schedule permits. Employing a pressure washing company has a few benefits. For example:
- They use much safer cleaning products. As professionals, they know which cleaning product is best for the particular surface they are cleaning.
- The experts can also get to hard-to-reach places. As an individual, you might not have all the tools used to get to the hard-to-reach places, but employing professionals that have all those ensures complete cleaning.
- Pressure washing services will ensure a cleaner gutter and siding. Using a pressure washing company has more advantages than disadvantages, so it’s advisable to use them.
Conclusion
Pressure washing your sidings and gutters is the best way to ensure you are getting rid of all the dirt. Always make sure you use good wash products and follow the guidelines for a clean job.
