Pressure Washing Your House

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Pressure washing your house is the best way to clean the exterior or prep it for new paint. Commercial house washers charge a lot of money for this service that most homeowners can do themselves as a DIY project for a lot less money. Depending where you live your house is susceptible to the elements of nature: dirt, dust, acid rain, and mildew. Acid rain caused house siding to appear gray and is difficult to clean. If the dirt and grime is not removed periodically the siding will deteriorate. The most practical way of removing these harmful elements is to pressure wash the house. Spraying high pressure water and, in some cases detergent, at high velocity, will remove them as well as any deteriorated paint. If you plan on painting your house this is a must if you want the new paint to stay on the building.

A pressure washer can be used on most siding, including vinyl, metal, masonry and wood. If you have vinyl siding periodic pressure washing is nearly a must to keep it looking fresh. Care must be taken when using it on wood siding and brick. If you use the wrong nozzle or hold the wand in the same place too long it will damage the wood or remove the masonry between the bricks. You can purchase a pressure washer from most any home improvement supply center or rent one. A good pressure washer cost between $350 and $500 depending on the size you want. Rental prices run from $50 to $75 a day. Pressure washers come in various sizes for different types of jobs, from a

bout 1200 to 3000 psi (pounds per square inch, the power of the spray). Whatever the pressure capacity, the working pressure is determined by the nozzle tip. Most pressure washers come with four different nozzle tips. The tip you use is determined by the type of siding you are cleaning. In addition, most units come with the capability that permits a detergent to be aspirated into the nozzle to assist in cleaning. The detergent you chose depends on the type of material that you need to remove and the size of the nozzle. A 750 psi nozzle tip is adequate for most jobs. I prefer the Honda pressure washer which is more than adequate for household use.

Practice good safety habits. A pressure washer can be harmful to the operator if not used properly. Always use both hands and never use it while standing on a ladder. Use a 6- to 12-foot adjustable extension shaft for high areas, but be aware that this can be a bit tricky to handle. Never use it around electrical fixtures or power meters. Cover light fixtures with plastic and tape to prevent water penetration. Always wear eye protection!

If you have never used a pressure washer for pressure washing your house, practice on an old piece of siding to get the feel of its capability with various tips. Using an incorrect tip will cause damage to the material and remove paint. Depending on the material you are cleaning, keep the nozzle approximately 3 to 6 inches away to avoid damage. Always wash from the top down, this will avoid streaking the lower level. After washing rinse the area with clean water working from the top down. If you plan on painting let dry for three days to insure that all the moisture is removed.