How To Pressure Wash A House?
Pressure washing a house is one thing that just about every homeowner has to face at some point in their life. After all, there comes a time when the old siding can’t take scrubbing anymore, and it needs to be replaced.
Since most people hate spending money on material things like this unless they have to (how we were raised, I guess), how do you get your house cleaned without buying new siding? Well, that’s where pressure washing comes into play.
The outside of your house isn’t the only thing affected by how it looks either – you also have to think about how it makes your neighborhood look. So you’ll probably want to help keep that nice image up, right?
Good for you! That means pressure washing should be high on your priority list.
Things to Know When You Clean Your House Siding
You will be able to clean your whole house in one afternoon with a suitable pressure washer, attachments, and cleaners. But, before we get started, let’s take a look at the equipment and materials you’ll need:
How Can You Tell If You Need Gas or Electric?
First of all, you need a gas pressure washer. The gas one is usually more robust and durable than the electric one. However, if the power cord is at least 25 feet long or if your house is close enough to an electrical plug, then an electric one should be fine.
What PSI and GPM?
Next, you need to figure out how powerful your pressure washer needs to be. Again, stick with a standard PSI of 2800 and a GPM (gallon per minute) rating between 1 and 3.
Remember: the higher these numbers are, the more expensive and less portable your pressure washer will be. If you only plan on
What kind of nozzle do you want?
Which nozzle should you use? The best nozzles to clean your house are a turbo nozzle or a 50-degree adjustable nozzle. A diamond certified expert says that utilizing a turbo nozzle is more effective than some people would suggest using a soap nozzle.
Why Don’t I Use My Garden Hose?
It is a legitimate question to ask yourself. If you’re not sure about that or how it’s any different from simply using your garden hose, then the answer is: it probably can’t do the job.
Do I Need Detergent?
Now, you have to decide if you want to use detergent or not. If your house is filthy, then using detergent will help get it cleaner by cleaning the dirt off first before spraying the water at it. It tends to work better than just shooting dry water at whatever mess is on your wall and hoping for the best.
Is a Brush Attachment Necessary?
No need to get a brush attachment if you’re not planning on pre-treating your siding, but it’s recommended. The best brush attachment for a house is the turbo nozzle.
It will shoot water at whatever mess is on your home and then use the brush to scrub away anything that hangs around.
What about a long, flexible extension wand?
You can use a telescoping wand. The tricky part with not using an extension wand is that you’ll have to move closer and closer to your siding while spraying the water. Also, it increases how dangerous it is for you, especially if anything hangs from or near your eaves.
Things to Consider Before You Start Pressure Washing Your House
Before you get going, there are a couple of things to keep in mind while pressure washing your house.
First, have a plan and visualize how it will happen before you get started.
Second, protect anything that’s hanging from or near your eaves. They can easily be knocked down by how much water is blasted at them from pressure washing a house.
Use Eye Protection
Be sure to wear safety goggles. You don’t want water or anything else getting in your eyes. Some experts even suggest wearing old clothes that are okay to get wet and stained. You will probably make a mess while using pressure washing siding.
Never use a ladder
If you must use a ladder to pressure wash your house, it’s more than likely too dangerous for you to do so independently. The nozzle may slip and knock you off the ladder, or water may drip down, making the rungs slippery. So just don’t do it.
Keep an eye on power lines
You don’t want your power washing the house experience to be cut short because you were concerned about electricity lines. However, if pressure washing the siding requires you to stand close enough, it’s probably best to hire a professional to do it for you.
Clear The Area
Before pressure washing siding, make sure you clear the area. You don’t want to pressure wash your house to take longer than expected because it takes too much time cleaning up.
Just make sure there’s not anything hanging from or near your eaves that could get knocked down during pressure wash siding.
Avoid Rainy Weather
Think before you pressure wash your house if rain is in the forecast.
Water and Electricity Don’t Mix
Be sure it doesn’t blast any water into your home’s utility shut-off valves. It causes potentially dangerous siding issues.
How To Pressure Wash A House in 8 simple steps
- Get your hands on a powerful gas pressure washer.
- Turn off the Electricity, inspect any loose or cracked siding for safety and close up vents if necessary.
- Go through the job and learn which sections you’ll be crossing to get started. Then rinse down the dirt at the base of your home to ready it for the environmentally friendly detergent.
- Detergent should be applied to one side of the house from the bottom up and allowed to sit for 5 – 10 minutes.
- Pressure wash the detergent off your house’s siding top-down, being careful not to get too close and avoiding an upward water jet.
- Keep track of the siding on the house and alter the detergent and washing process as needed.
- To clean your gutters and second-story exterior levels with ease, get a telescoping extension wand.
- Allow drying for a few hours before inspecting your handiwork.
How To Deal With Different Types of House Siding
Wood Siding: Wood siding should be pressure washed with soap or detergent combined with water.
Steel siding: Works best with water only.
Aluminum Siding: Use a mixture of dishwashing liquid and cold water.
Vinyl Siding: Mix cold water with shampoo. Don’t forget to rinse well.
Stucco: You can pressure wash the siding on stucco, but it’s usually best to avoid excessive moisture. Pressure washing your house may cause damage after prolonged exposure.
Cement, flagstone, and brick: Do not pressure wash a house on cement, flagstone, or brick.
Expert Tips on Power Washing Your House
- Pressure washing your house should be done every two years, at the absolute least.
- Regular washing of your home’s roof and sides, as well as the interior, can benefit all types of house siding, including vinyl, aluminum, steel, wood, stucco, and brick. It will improve the curb appeal of your property while also increasing its lifespan.
- Pressure washing is also the most acceptable method to prepare your property for a fresh coat of paint, in addition to being an excellent way to clean it.
- Make sure to deal with any cracks or holes first. If you’re not sure whether you’ve painted your house with lead paint, don’t wash it (as previously stated).
- Use the appropriate attachments and materials for the task.
- To clean your house siding, pick a day when the wind isn’t blowing, and there isn’t going to be any rain. If you’re pressure cleaning the side of your home in direct sunlight, try to avoid power washing it.
- Now, turn off the power to all of the open outlets on your home’s exterior. Close all of your windows and doors. To prevent injury to light fixtures, cover them with plastic and tape. Allow access for pressure cleaning by trimming bushes and trees that touch your property.
- Water down every garden area beneath the house to ensure that the cleaning solution does not affect them.
- Ensure that the detergent is applied from bottom to top on your home’s siding to avoid dirt and soap running down your house and onto damp places.
- Allow time for the detergent to soak in. It would be best to avoid direct sunlight, and the solution should rest for 5 – 10 minutes before being used.
- Change the pressure washer nozzle to a 25 or 40-degree spray tip and clean away all of the detergents while keeping the wand at least 1 foot away from your home siding.
- Use the soap in a circular motion from the bottom up and away from the top down.
- Spray the underside of the horizontal siding. Hold the wand as straight as possible parallel to the siding.
- That’s all there is to it. Allow the house siding to dry for a few hours and have a cold one while you enjoy your lovely home.
Is it better to rent or buy for the Job?
Pressure washers are budget-friendly and valuable, so we believe that purchasing one is your best option. For example, a Home Depot rental may cost up to $100 per day. A new Amazon model will set you back $300.
So, if you use it for three days in one year, you’ve already paid for it. First, however, you must evaluate your situation and make the best decision possible.
Final Verdict – How To Pressure Wash A House
A pressure washer can save a ton of time and money when used correctly.
So how did it go? Would you recommend this process to a friend, or is there a better way to pressure wash your house? Have any more tips on pressure washing a house? Leave a comment below!
FAQs
How long does it take to pressure wash a house?
Depending on how accessible and filthy the house is, it might take anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours to power wash it.
How much does it cost to pressure wash a two-story house?
Power washing the entire exterior of a 2-story house will set you back anywhere from $400 to $1,400.
Can you use bleach to pressure wash a house?
It will be best if you never use bleach with pressure washers.
How much does it cost to pressure washer a house?
In general, it costs between $130 and $650 to power wash a house, with the average cost around $350. However, the precise amount you pay will be determined by several previously discussed variables.
What is the best time of year to wash your house?
In general, houses should be power washed at least once a year, usually between March and November. As the weather warms up later in the year, it’s essential to ensure your house is kept clean before the harsh winter temperatures set in.
What is the most satisfactory cleaning solution for pressure washing a house?
The Krud Kutter siding cleaner is our top pick. It is ideal for vinyl, aluminum, concrete, brick, stucco, masonry, and wood. It includes an additive called Sporex that aids in the removal of algae, fungus, mildew, mold, and moss stains.
Last update on 2024-07-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What temperature does it take to power wash a home?
Anything below 60 degrees is considered cold for some people, while others consider 30 degrees sufficient.
However, when it comes to power washing, there’s one particular temperature we aim to maintain: 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is the best thing to use to pressure wash a house?
Detergent is required since it will make the procedure easier. In addition, you risk harm to your house siding if you don’t use detergent, as more water force would be needed to remove the filth and grime.
There are numerous chemicals available you can use to clean the exterior of your home. Detergent solutions for cleaning vinyl, stucco, brick, or wood siding are among them.
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Last update on 2024-07-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API