A pressure washer is an excellent piece of cleaning equipment. It’s a very effective and quick way to deep clean various types of surfaces. These powerful machines can handle tough jobs, from stripping old paint to getting rid of grease on your driveway.
Nevertheless, not every surface is suitable for power washing since the extreme pressure may damage it. And before you begin using your unit, it’s vital to carefully read the instructions on the manufacturer’s manual to learn how to properly use it. Likewise, you need to ensure you’re always using the right nozzle for the task at hand to prevent any mishaps.
Pressure washers are either powered by gas or electricity. If you’re still on the market for one, you can get overwhelmed with so many available choices out there. So to help you decide, check the URL on Cleanup.Expert to find out which among the best pressure washers is ideal for your needs.
Moreover, you also need to know which surfaces and objects are safe to clean with your device to avoid causing damages to your property. If you are looking for a new water pressure washer and don’t know where to start your search, you should definitely consider checking the Hotsy Equipment Company.
Siding
If the vinyl, fiber cement, or aluminum siding of your house has discoloration or starting to look pretty dingy, it’s time to take out your pressure washer. But make sure to use low pressure to avoid damaging your siding. The last thing you want is to dent your aluminum siding. So it is best to research and ask contractors from LP Smart Siding how to clean and maintain a good appearance of your siding perfectly.
Concrete Walkway and Driveways
Your driveway and walkway will get blotchy and dirty from pounding rain, dust, sticky shoes, and automotive oils dripping from your vehicle. Likewise, these will weaken the surface over time.
You can easily remove accumulated grease and gunk with your pressure washer. Concrete can withstand the power of your unit without worrying about over-etching. In general, a narrower nozzle will do a good job of getting rid of oil stains. Meanwhile, if the concrete is covered with mildew, apply it with detergent first and clean it using lower pressure.
Patio and Deck
It’s not common for patio and deck surfaces to have mildew, algae, and mold buildup in time. This is especially true if your deck is on a shady spot where it’s not always exposed to sunlight.
Luckily, pressure washing can clean a deck or patio surface and keep it free from filth and other hideous stains. Decks made from Tigerwood, Ipe, and other South American hardwood can withstand the powerful cleaning. Meanwhile, pressure-treated wood material will do just fine as long as your nozzle is not too close.
Make sure to go through your owner’s manual to see what the manufacturer recommends in terms of setting and nozzle for washing. deck. Also, check how far away you need to keep the nozzle from the surface.
Garage Floor
There’s a high chance that your garage floor has filth and oil stains that have accumulated over the years even if you’re not always repairing things in there. You can give it a thorough cleaning with your washer. First, apply a degreasing agent at a low setting or as per the recommendation of the manufacturer. Then, rinse it off at a higher setting.
Fence Maintenance
A clean and beautiful vinyl or wood fence can enhance the curb appeal of your home. Nonetheless, washing it is a bit of a challenge. Scrubbing down all those grime manually is not only tiring but time-consuming as well.
Thankfully, a pressure will make the entire process simple and fast. It’ll take off plenty of years from the appearance of your fence. Just make sure to clean soft wood at a lower setting so that it will not acquire any damage like splintering. On the other hand, vinyl and hardwood can take on more pressure.
Outdoor Furniture
Your outdoor furniture will give you a headache when springtime comes if you don’t store them during winter. Pressure washing can provide your wood, vinyl, or plastic outdoor furniture a deep cleaning. A lot of homeowners love this because it’s a very easy and quick way to make patio furniture looking new again.
Grill
If you own a grill, you very well know that it’s important to clean it after every cooking session. This is a crucial part of the entire grilling process that you should never skip.
Although grill cleaning tools are effective, scrubbing will take a lot of your time. Also, it’s literally a dirty job. You can significantly decrease the time you need to wash your grill with a pressure washer. Plus, it’s a more efficient technique and will ensure your hands are always coal-free.
Is It Okay To Pressure Wash My Car?
In a way, this is debatable. A lot of people use their power washers to give their vehicles a quick clean. However, pressure washing may cause more harm to your car than good. It can potentially pell off its paint, which, in turn, can lead to rusting.
Nevertheless, some cleaning experts say that it’s okay as long as you don’t apply high pressure when washing. At the end of the day, it will still be your call. Cleaning your car with a pressure washer is also cost-effective since you can blast away dirt easily without the need to use detergent.
What To Avoid Cleaning With Your Pressure Washer
Wood siding. You can power wash your wood siding. However, this also presents the possibility of water getting trapped between the sheathing of your home and the siding. This can result in damaging the electric wiring and insulation. Additionally, it can lead to mold growth. So if you can, try to avoid it as much as possible. Or if you’ll go ahead with it, make sure to be very cautious and use the appropriate pressure setting.
Asphalt shingles. Roofs made of asphalt shingles should never be pressure washed. The pressure of the water can remove their granules, which are vital in your roof’s protection. Moreover, it’s very dangerous to use power washers on higher spots. Once you push the trigger of your unit, its spray wand will let out a powerful recoil that may likely throw you off balance and your ladder.
Old mortar. You can damage your surface with mortar if you pressure wash it. The cleaning tool on a high setting will blast away loose materials. Also, all that flying debris can cause injuries to you or anyone passing by.
Windows. Never clean your windows with a pressure washer since the extreme pressure will break them. The cost of replacing them will surely give you a massive headache.
Outdoor lighting fixtures. Although these outdoor decors are built to withstand rain and other elements, power washing them may force water into cracks, which can cause damage.
Gutters. Power washing the insides of your gutters is very tempting but avoid it as much as you can. Gutters can withstand rainstorms. However, they can acquire damages from the sheer pressure of your cleaning machine. So it may be better to get rid of debris by hand. Then, simply rinse it clean by applying a less concentrated water flow.
