Power Washing Tips and Info
Learning to use the power washer for your home is important for the average homeowner. This is primarily because power washers (also known as pressure washers) help in the task of removing certain kinds of dirt and algae from your Jacksonville home. In this article, we take a look at power washing, the tools and materials required and the process of preparing for the task.
Power Washing Tools Best for You
Which Nozzle is Best
You will need to use the black chemical nozzle to apply the detergent. To pressure wash the house siding clean use either the 25- or 40-degree nozzle tip. To pressure clean the higher up areas you will want to use an extension wand because you want to avoid using a ladder with a pressure cleaner. Always hold the pressure wand 3 feet from the surface to start and move closer to 1-foot as you watch how much force is required to remove mildew and grime. The detergent should work its magic to make very little pressure required.
You will need to use the black chemical nozzle to apply the detergent. To pressure wash the house siding clean use either the 25- or 40-degree nozzle tip. To pressure clean the higher up areas you will want to use an extension wand because you want to avoid using a ladder with a pressure cleaner. Always hold the pressure wand 3 feet from the surface to start and move closer to 1-foot as you watch how much force is required to remove mildew and grime. The detergent should work its magic to make very little pressure required.
| |
Choosing Detergents
Detergent is necessary because it will make the job easier. Without it you risk damaging your surfaces because more extreme water force will be required to remove the dirt and grime. There are specific detergent solutions formulated for cleaning your house siding – whether it be vinyl, stucco, brick or wood. Make sure you only purchase environmentally friendly solutions. TSP and JoMax are favorites of ours.
Detergent is necessary because it will make the job easier. Without it you risk damaging your surfaces because more extreme water force will be required to remove the dirt and grime. There are specific detergent solutions formulated for cleaning your house siding – whether it be vinyl, stucco, brick or wood. Make sure you only purchase environmentally friendly solutions. TSP and JoMax are favorites of ours.
An Extension Wand Makes Things Easier
An extension wand makes power washing those high areas easier if you have a two-story house. There are additional attachments that you can put on the end of the extension wand to allow you to clean the gutters out while standing safely on the ground. Safety is number 1 and that is why we recommend the use of a telescoping extension wand. We use Under Pressure on Beach Blvd. quite a bit for rent to own homes and such.
Consider a Brush Attachment
Although not required it will improve the cleaning capacity and performance of your power washing. A brush attachment will allow you to push and scrub the dirt and grime away with the bristles of the brush. You can purchase one for less than $40 and use it to clean siding, cars and boats.
An extension wand makes power washing those high areas easier if you have a two-story house. There are additional attachments that you can put on the end of the extension wand to allow you to clean the gutters out while standing safely on the ground. Safety is number 1 and that is why we recommend the use of a telescoping extension wand. We use Under Pressure on Beach Blvd. quite a bit for rent to own homes and such.
Consider a Brush Attachment
Although not required it will improve the cleaning capacity and performance of your power washing. A brush attachment will allow you to push and scrub the dirt and grime away with the bristles of the brush. You can purchase one for less than $40 and use it to clean siding, cars and boats.
Preparing for Power Washing
Protect Your Eyes
Eye protection is mandatory. It’s scary because you would never see guys in a machine shop working without eye protection, but then you will always see DIYers and people working around their homes without eye protection. Super simple to just wear a pair of safety rated sunglasses to avoid eye injuries.
As Much as Possible, Don’t Use Ladders
You may want to avoid using a pressure cleaner from a ladder because the push back from the wand may cause you to lose balance and fall. You will not see commercial pressure washers using a ladder because it is a safety risk. The industry standard is that people will use elevated work platform vehicles, scaffolding, rope access techniques or simply use extension wands.
Make Sure the Area is Clear
Another super simple thing to do is clear the area of toys, bikes etc. to avoid forgetting about them and tripping over them. Also clear the bottom part of your house siding of bushes so you can pressure clean those dirty bottom areas.
Eye protection is mandatory. It’s scary because you would never see guys in a machine shop working without eye protection, but then you will always see DIYers and people working around their homes without eye protection. Super simple to just wear a pair of safety rated sunglasses to avoid eye injuries.
As Much as Possible, Don’t Use Ladders
You may want to avoid using a pressure cleaner from a ladder because the push back from the wand may cause you to lose balance and fall. You will not see commercial pressure washers using a ladder because it is a safety risk. The industry standard is that people will use elevated work platform vehicles, scaffolding, rope access techniques or simply use extension wands.
Make Sure the Area is Clear
Another super simple thing to do is clear the area of toys, bikes etc. to avoid forgetting about them and tripping over them. Also clear the bottom part of your house siding of bushes so you can pressure clean those dirty bottom areas.
| |
Benefits of Power Washing in Jacksonville
With Jacksonville, Florida’s extreme climate delivering pollen, wind driven rain, powerful sunshine it’s important to protect your exterior paint job. Power washing has many benefits for your Jacksonville home or commercial property. When the exterior paint finishes are kept up with a regular power washing routine (every 12-18 months) your paint job will last years longer than left neglected.
With Jacksonville, Florida’s extreme climate delivering pollen, wind driven rain, powerful sunshine it’s important to protect your exterior paint job. Power washing has many benefits for your Jacksonville home or commercial property. When the exterior paint finishes are kept up with a regular power washing routine (every 12-18 months) your paint job will last years longer than left neglected.
RSS Feed