Everything to know about pressure washing your house exteriors

Exterior house washing is an essential step if you want to paint the exterior of the house. This process can be arduous when done by hand. Therefore, you need a pressure washer to help you save time and effort. However, not everything is so black and white, as using the washer requires skill. The intensity of the water can end up damaging your siding and the wall cavities beneath it. In this article, we are going to dive deeper into pressure washing, and how to do it right. 

Pressure washing vs Hand-washing

Touchless washing gives adequate results. However, hand-washing is still superior when it comes down to cleanliness. If you have the time and energy, washing the siding with your hands can give better results. However, pressure washing is a great choice when you are short on time and need the work done as soon as possible. Moreover, it also gives a satisfactory cleaning when done the right way. 

So, at the end of the day, the call between pressure washing and handwashing must be based on how much time you have and the effort you are willing to put in.

Precautions to take when pressure washing

One of the dangers of pressure washing the siding is the stripping of the paint. While pressure washers can remove the paint effectively, it is not the most ideal way to do so, especially if you have wooden siding. You can avoid this by taking the following precautions: 

• Stand away from the wall at a distance ranging from 18 inches to 6 foot, depending on the pressure washer. This allows you to reduce the intensity of the water. 

• Use the fan-spray nozzle instead of the stream nozzle, which can rip into the siding.

• Avoid spraying from a low angle to prevent damaging the insulation below the siding.

Which pressure washer to use?

You will find pressure washers in two varieties: gas and electric powered. For your siding, a washer with around a 1000-1500 PSI rating is sufficient. For two-story houses, you can attach a special nozzle to a high-volume washer to clean the upper areas from solid ground.

Tips for a successful pressure washing

• Test the washer on an unobtrusive section of siding to avoid damaging the siding
• Use cleaning solution without bleach to protect the paint and plants
• For grimy siding, use the rotating-brush attachment available on certain washers.
• Work on small areas to avoid letting the detergent dry

Conclusion

Pressure washing, while convenient, can be tricky. You need to learn to manage the water pressure and clean in a way that doesn’t damage the siding or the wall. Selecting the right washer and following the above-given tips can go a long way towards a successful pressure washing without any damage.