When your car’s looking dull, do you ever think to yourself, “Looks like it’s time to repaint the old ride?”
Well… maybe if you’re the kind of car owner that likes to refer to your car as your “baby.” But, most of us just wash our whip to bring it back to its like-new luster.
So, why on Earth does everyone rush to paint their house when that old coat of paint isn’t looking so hot anymore? It’s about time you learned the power of the pressure washing. It ranks right up there with some of the most overlooked home maintenance tasks.
But you can learn how to pressure wash a house in no time. So, let’s get to learning.
When to Consider Pressure Washing a House
Making the decision to pressure wash your house shouldn’t be a casual one. You don’t want to overdo it and start washing your house like you wash your hair.
Your home should be able to go about two to five years between cleanings.
Of course, that all depends on what kind of sun and shade your house gets, and also the condition it’s in. If it’s gotten dirty from storms or if it’s accumulated some mildew, now is the perfect time to consider a good hose down.
Why You Should Learn How to Pressure Wash a House
Knowing how to pressure wash your house’s exterior is as fundamental as knowing how to vacuum up on the inside. It’s one of the many ways to keep your home looking brand new.
But on an even higher level than routine maintenance, power washing your house is the perfect way to prep it for a fresh coat of paint. Pressure washers get all the dirt, mold and mildew off the exterior of your home, making it a smooth, even canvas when the day comes for that paint re-up.
If your home is sided with stucco, metal, vinyl, brick or wood, a regular house pressure washing can keep your abode looking gloriously handsome.
How to Prep for Power Washing Your House
There are many things to keep in mind before you jump right into full Ghost Busters power washing mode. You’ll need to consider some safety precautions like a sturdy pair of goggles. Goggles are 100% mandatory, folks.
And don’t even think about stepping on a ladder to power wash the gutters. The force of the water could easily cause you to lose your balance and BOOM, your house pressure washing adventure is over before you even start.
A couple of other safety concerns to scope out first: check for any nearby power lines (yikes) and make sure the area is clear around where you’ll be pressure washing your house.
Make sure you’re not pressure washing lead paint or dealing with asbestos. Those two are best tackled by a professional service.
And before you start, turn off the electricity in your home and take note of any open vents or ducts (the last thing you want is to turn your house into a leaky water world.)
Plan on doing it when there are no rainy or windy conditions forecasted. And always try to avoid pressure washing whichever side of our house is in direct sunlight.
If you’ve got flower beds below your siding, you’ll want to make sure the soil is soaked so there’s less of a chance that your plants will soak up the pressure washing detergent.
You’ll need a black soaping nozzle, detergent and most likely an extension wand to get to the top of your siding.
Wondering if you want a gas or electric powered washer? We recommend a gas one because they’re usually more powerful. You’ll be able to get your whole house pressure washing done in a third of the time.
Just make sure you’re buying or renting one with at least 2.3 GPM (the measurement for the speed of the water flow.)
How to Master House Pressure Washing
Okay, you’ve read. You’ve prepped. Today’s the day.
First, attach your hose to your pressure washer and turn on the water. Make sure you put the siphon tube into your soap solution and attach your soap nozzle.
Start power washing your house, one side at a time, from the bottom to the top so that gravity can’t trap dirt onto dry spots below. Make sure to keep the nozzle’s tip at least one foot away from your home.
Then, when you’re ready to rinse the soap off, go in the opposite direction, from the top of the bottom. Just be sure not to spray upwards into the horizontal siding. Spraying underneath your siding could result in some unfortunate mold, mildew or drywall damage. Hold your pressure washer as straight as possible while you work to avoid any of those nasty complications.
And that’s basically it. The next step is to take a break and watch your house dry as you toast to your next-level DIYness.
What to Be Careful of When Power Washing Your House
While learning how to pressure wash a house is simple, there can be some unforeseen consequences to doing it incorrectly.
For example, you can get water in the walls of your home (no Bueno) if you’re not careful. You could possibly warp the wooden siding of your home if you go at it too full hard. Or, if you live in a brick house, you could blast the mortar right out of its setting.
Like mentioned above, there’s always the possibility that there’s some lead paint lurking in a layer of paint on your home. And while it might be tempting to pressure wash it off, lead paints needs to be disposed of properly.
If you’re feeling at all apprehensive, you can always take a look at this reliable article and consider asking a professional. Professional pressure washing services can be extremely affordable and convenient.
So Fresh and So Clean
No matter which way you choose how to pressure wash a house, you’re beautiful home will be brighter than ever, looking as new as the day you bought it. Your home’s going to look so good, you might even consider painting your car to match it. Or not.
For more on how to keep your home looking fresh, take a peek at any of our home improvement tips to get inspired.
Leave a Reply