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Why Pressure Washing Is Best Left to the Professionals
Cleaning the outside of a home or business is a major task that could easily take an entire weekend to complete. This type of work is best left to the professionals, and that’s where pressure washing comes in. Read this first!
Pressure washing uses high-pressurized water to blast away dirt, dust, and debris from surfaces. Professionals use different nozzles to control the amount of pressure they apply.
1. Prevents Damage
When a homeowner attempts to pressure wash the exterior of their home on their own, it can be easy to damage surfaces. A professional knows how to properly use a pressure washer. This includes knowing what PSI to use and how close to spray the water and chemicals.
Pressure washing blitzes the dirt, grime, mold, mildew, and algae from your property, leaving it fresh and clean. This makes it more inviting to your family and guests and reduces the spread of disease and vermin that thrive in dirty environments.
Before your professional begins the cleaning process, they’ll move plants and other items away from the area that’s going to be sprayed. They’ll also cover items like outdoor lighting, doorbells, and air conditioning units to prevent water and electricity from mixing. They’ll also place tarps over the ground and small shrubbery that may be harmed by a direct hit of water or chemicals. Using tarps and proper configuration ensures greenery can survive and thrive.
2. Saves You Money
As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Pressure washing can prevent damage to surfaces and can save money in the long run. This is particularly true for commercial property owners. Allowing dirt, mildew, and other contaminants to build up can cause expensive repairs. Pressure washing regularly can prevent these problems and keep the property looking new.
Unlike chemical cleaners, which can be harmful to the environment and your health, professional pressure washing uses only water to clean. This makes it safe for the environment and your family.
It also takes less water than a garden hose, even at high levels of pressure. Many companies use large tanks that can hold anywhere from 8 GPM up to 20 GPM. This allows them to wash an entire building or a house in just a few minutes. This cuts down on the time it would take to clean the surface by hand and saves you money on your water bill.
3. Prevents Bacteria Buildup
In addition to removing dirt, mildew and other substances that take away from the aesthetics of your property, regularly pressure washing your home can help prevent harmful bacteria from growing on your surfaces. This is because germs thrive in warm environments, and the hot water of a pressure washer can kill them instantly.
Many pressure washing services also use detergents that double as sanitizers, which is another reason why this cleaning method is so effective. Combining the detergent with a high-pressure wash ensures that the sanitizer hits every surface and crevice of your property.
In addition, a professional pressure washing service will have the proper equipment and safety precautions in place to ensure that you don’t experience any damage or injuries during the cleaning process. This includes securing any items on or around the property, turning off external power outlets, and ensuring that all windows and doors are closed. It’s also important to make sure that any plants or shrubbery are trimmed back so they don’t get in the way of the high-pressure jet of water.
4. Removes Paint
Unlike manual scrubbing and scraping, which can leave behind traces of paint dust that get into your eyes and lungs, pressure washing blasts away all the debris and dirt. It makes the surfaces clean enough to refinish or repaint.
If you’re using a pressure washer to strip painted surfaces, prepare the area by covering furnishings with plastic or tarps and closing doors and windows. You should also cover landscaping plants to protect them from the pressurized spray. Before you start the wash, apply a paint stripper to soften the old paint and make it easier to peel.
When the job is done, you must contain and collect the wastewater (including soap) so that it doesn’t pollute the environment. It’s also typically illegal to discharge it into the storm or sanitary sewer system, so you must have an environmental waste company dispose of it. That’s why it’s important to use a professional cleaning service that knows how to handle these materials. Next article.
