Is your home's exterior looking a little dull? Has a lot of dirt and grime built up on your siding? The best way to give your siding a fresh, revigorated look is to pressure wash it. However, it is important to ensure that you are well-versed in this task before you simply give it a go. Here's what you need to know about pressure washing your home's exterior:
Getting Set Up
The first thing that you do is prepare the area where you will be working. Any obstacles that may get your way and cause you to trip or in the way of the hoses and cause them to snag, you will want to remove them. You will also want to turn off electrical power to any outside electrical outlets and cover them with plastic.
If there are plants or shrubs that are currently touching the home's exterior, make sure that you trim them back. You will then want to wet them and cover them. Don't forget to ensure that any doors and windows in your working area are properly secured.
Understand Pressure Washer Safety
Before you begin using a pressure washer, you need to make sure you know how to use it safely to minimize, and possibly eliminate, potentially injuries. You always want to make sure that you are standing on a stable surface so that you have solid footing and good balance. You should wear the proper gear – ear, eye and hand protection.
You should always make sure that you are fully aware of where you are pointing the gun, which should never be at plants, animals or people, and you should never leave the gun or pressure washer unattended while it is in use.
Cleaning with the Pressure Washer
There are some general tips that you should follow when you begin actually cleaning, as you can use the pressure washer incorrectly and cause damage to the exterior of your home. If you have tough stains on your home, you may need to use a detergent. If this is the case, make sure that the detergent you are using is designed specifically for pressure washers.
Whether applying detergents to the exterior or just water, you should only utilize a low-pressure spray pattern. This is to avoid damage to your exterior. To avoid streaks from appearing on your exterior when applying detergent, make sure to start at the bottom and work your way up. Don't allow the detergent to dry before your rinse it off. When you start rinsing, rinse from the top down.
If you don't feel comfortable pressure washing your own home, there are professional pressure washing services that you can call to perform the task for you when your home's exterior needs sprucing up. For more information, contact companies like A Blast to the Past.
