Power Wash
Power washing is not for the faint of heart, and while it can be done by most people with basic power washing gear, there are some things that you should not do. You should always use care when power washing wood surfaces, because high pressure can damage the wood. It can also encourage the growth of mold and weaken the wood. Additionally, power washing can strip paint from the surface, so don’t use it on painted surfaces. Lead paint is particularly dangerous and should not be power washed.
Some objects that shouldn’t be pressure-washed include painted surfaces, electrical boxes, outdoor lighting, and old mortar or grout. You should also never pressure-wash items made of soft materials, such as old plastic. You should also wear a mask when pressure washing these items. You should follow all of these precautions to ensure that the cleaning is safe for you and your property.
If you’re looking to clean a large area, you should consider hiring a professional or renting a commercial power washing machine. Otherwise, you risk damaging the objects you’re cleaning, leaving cleaning lines, and even hurting yourself. Also, never use the power washer surface cleaner near electrical outlets and water outlets. The spray can harm people.
If you’re power-washing the outside walls of your house, it’s important to begin from the bottom. This is because the dirt tends to run downward. Starting from the top can leave muddy streaks and will also loosen dirt. Also, don’t power wash your gutters before power washing your siding. It can damage vinyl siding and wood.
What Should You Not Power Wash?
Lastly, power washing your siding shouldn’t be performed without proper safety measures. Without proper safety measures, power washing can damage siding and even cause it to break. If you don’t follow these safety measures, you could cause permanent damage and cost your house a lot of money. It’s also essential to follow all guidelines for power washing your siding.
High-pressure washing is only recommended for certain materials. Concrete, brick, and masonry cannot be safely cleaned with this method. Rather, you should use a technique called’soft wash’ that focuses on volume instead of pressure. This way, cleaning solutions will break down the dirt without damaging the surface.
One of the best pressure washer cleaners for concrete is the Simple Green Oxy Solve Driveway and Concrete Pressure Washer Cleaner, which is rated 4 stars by consumers. While this cleaner is somewhat expensive (around $20 per bottle), it comes with a large bottle. Nevertheless, it’s worth the cost, as it is an effective cleaner for concrete.
When selecting a concrete cleaner, you’ll have to consider the type of stain you’re trying to remove. An alkaline cleaner will effectively remove grease and oil stains while an acid cleaner will tackle hard water stains, efflorescence, and scaly mineral salt buildup. Enzyme cleaners, on the other hand, attack hydrocarbon, starch, and protein-based stains.