If you are looking for a quick and efficient way to clean the exterior of your home, pressure washing is the solution. The highly pressurized water from a pressure washer can easily wipe away any dirt and stains from your driveway or tires.
But a pressure washer is not a tool you use every day, and it is easy to get confused about handling it properly. If you are looking for advice on how to get the most out of your pressure washer, here are 5 pressure washing tips by pros.
5 Useful Pressure Washing Tips by Pros
Tip 1. Be Prepared
Before you start pressure-washing, ensure that the water supply is adequate for your pressure washer to live up to its potential. To do this, time how long it takes to fill a 5-gallon bucket. If the time is over 2 minutes, your water supply is not strong enough.
Also, move any items or debris out of the pressure washer’s range to avoid accidentally destroying them.
Tip 2. Know Where It’s Safe
You should know the areas where you can pressure clean to avoid damage, and for good pressure cleaning, you should be aware of the safe surfaces and those that aren’t. You can pressure wash aluminum and vinyl siding alongside concrete and wood surfaces.
However, you should never spray water on any electric appliance outside your house, such as satellite dishes or air conditioners.
Tip 3. Choose An Appropriate Nozzle
An important pressure washing tip from the pros is that pressure washers come with many nozzle tips for different purposes. You should know which one is the right one for you. Nozzle tips are universally color-coded to help you.
- Red: zero-degree nozzle. Never use it up close on any surface.
- Yellow: 15-degree nozzle, high pressure, used to clean tires and to prepare a surface for painting and resealing.
- Green: 25-degree nozzle, best for tackling dirt and grime on concrete surfaces.
- White: 40-degree nozzle. This one is excellent for general home washing.
- Black: 65-degree nozzle. It’s the widest nozzle and is only used to wet things.
Tip 4: Don’t Pressure Clean During Winters
While you can do pressure washing in winter if necessary, it is not advisable, as the water used in the process may freeze and damage your pressure washer. Try to schedule your pressure washing in warmer climates.
Tip 5: Practise Safety
Pressure washing uses highly pressurized hot water, and it is crucial to take all the necessary precautions before operating a pressure washer. Wear protective goggles, gloves, and boots. Also, wear ear protection and a long-sleeve shirt.
Use the pressure washing machine with both hands, and do not try pressure washing when it’s windy outside, as the wind can redirect the water toward you.
Summing Up
If you have a pressure washer, following these pressure washing tips by pros will help you use it more efficiently and safely. But make sure you take all the necessary precautions before and during using the machine to avoid any potential damage and injury.
Here we will leave you, but not before giving you another pressure washing tip by the pros. It is to seek professional assistance for pressure cleaning to achieve the best results with the least amount of stress.
