Pressure washing a house comes with many benefits – from improving your property’s visual appearance and adding curb appeal, to keeping your home in good condition and lowering the chance of future repairs. If you’re considering a pressure wash for your home, there are a couple things you should know before moving forward.
First, decide what areas of the home’s exterior you’re going to clean. Next, find the power washer that can best suits your needs. Different pressure washers work differently. For example, certain equipment operates with multiple pumps, each delivering a different result. The function of a pump is to control the water pressure, and they’re powered by either gas or electricity. Gas pressure washers typically generate more power, but electric pressure washers don’t require as much maintenance.
Some other things to keep in mind are the PSI, or pounds of pressure per square inch, and GPM, gallons of water per minute. The level of PSI and GPM varies from machine to machine, which may persuade you to try one piece of equipment over another, depending on your needs for your project. It is recommended that you estimate how much power you’ll need from the unit, such as light, medium, heavy or extra-heavy power. These sizes have a PSI ranging anywhere from 2,000 to over 3,300 lbs. You don’t want the pressure washer to cause damage to your home, so thoroughly research before deciding on a piece of equipment.
Best Practices For Pressure Washing
Once you have the right machinery for your project, you’re ready to begin. In order to avoid any damage, cover any sensitive or vulnerable areas with plastic drop cloths to avoid damage.
To accommodate the pressure of the jets, prepare the area before spraying. It’s a good idea to disinfect any areas covered in mold or mildew.
If you would like to learn more about power washing specific areas, check out our infographic which illustrates the items around the house that can and can’t be power washed.
Author Bio: Debisree Saha is Senior Marketing Strategist at SIMPSON, a leading manufacturer of electric and gas pressure washers. She has 10 years of experience in the industry and focuses on marketing strategy and execution.
