Cleaning your garage floor can be a daunting task for anyone. It is because there are so many different ways to go about it. Still, pressure washing is probably the simplest and most effective way to clean a filthy garage floor of oil stains, ground in dirt, and other debris.
However, choosing the correct pressure washer type to get good results. Choose the wrong one, and you will be less than happy with your pressure wash job.
Let’s get started with the article on Pressure Washing Garage Floor effectively.
Pressure washer or power washer?
You need to ask yourself whether you should be using a pressure washer or a power washer. A pressure washer uses cold water under high pressure to clean surfaces. In contrast, a power washer uses hot water or steam.
For cleaning your garage floor, you will want to use a pressure washer.
Type of Pressure Washer
Now that you have determined that you need a pressure washer, the next question is what type of pressure washer to use. There are two main types of pressure washers: gas and electric.
Electric pressure washers are powered by electricity and plugged into an outlet. In contrast, gas pressure washers are powered by gasoline. They must be connected to a propane tank or natural gas line.
Choose a suitable pressure washer
The pressure washer type is determined by the power source available to you. If you have a gas line or propane tank, then a gas pressure washer is probably going to be your best bet. If you don’t have a gas line or propane tank, then an electric pressure washer may be the better option for you.
Gas Pressure Washer is more effective in terms of pressure. For example, a bare concrete garage floor requires a gas-powered pressure washer with a 3,000 PSI minimum rating and a water flow rate of 3 GPM or greater. Anything less will not be as effective and take longer to finish the task.
Electric Pressure Washer is more portable, making it a better choice if you need to carry your pressure washer up and down stairs or across a large area.
Pretreat Your Garage Floor Before Pressure Washing It
Before you begin, make sure to empty as much of your garage as possible. This way, nothing will be damaged by the water. After you’ve emptied it, sweep out any loose debris and dirt to remove any obstructions.
Now it’s time to start prepping the floor. First, dilute a degreaser or cleaner in a bucket of water according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Pour the diluted cleaner over your garage floor and allow it to sit for a few minutes so that it can break down any grease or oil stains.
Rinse the floor with a hose to remove any cleaner and dirt before moving to pressure washing.
Pressure Washing the Garage Floor
Now it’s time to start pressure washing your garage floor.
- Attach the correct nozzle to your pressure washer, and set it to the lowest.
- Be sure to keep the nozzle moving at all times, and do not allow it to stay in one spot for too long.
- Start by spraying the cleaner and dirt loosened up by the degreaser or cleaner.
- Make sure to use a sweeping motion when pressure washing so that you get the entire garage floor wet.
- If the pressure washer starts to lose power, or you begin to see streaks on the floor, increase the nozzle set to the next level.
- If there are any stubborn oil or grease stains, use a scrub brush to help loosen them.
- Continue to pressure wash your garage floor until it is spotless of all oil and grease stains, dirt, or debris.
- Once your garage floor is spotless, allow it to dry for a few hours.
- You can help speed up the drying process by using a leaf blower or fans.
After The Clean
Once you finish pressure washing, your garage floor will be clean and free of most oil stains. But it is not recommended to leave it without protection.
Apply a Protection Coating to Your Garage Floor Once you are finished cleaning your garage floor, it’s time for the final step, which is applying a sealant.
It will protect your floor against future stains and make cleanup more manageable if something does happen to spill on the floor.
There are a variety of sealants available, so be sure to choose one that is best suited for your needs.
The best way to apply sealant is with a paint roller.
It will ensure that the coating goes on even and without streaking.
Allow the sealant to dry completely before moving any of your belongings back into the garage.
Tips For Cleaning Your Garage Floor With A Pressure Washer
- Before pressure washing the garage floor, allow the degreaser to soak for a few moments.
- If your floor isn’t clean enough with the spray nozzle, try using another one.
- If your floor has a lot of ground-in dirt, try using a brush.
- Always start pressure washing in an inconspicuous place and check the results.
Safety Guidelines for Pressure Washing Your Garage Floor
- Do not allow children or pets near the area to be pressure washed.
- Do not ever point the nozzle at anyone, including yourself.
- Never leave a pressure washer unattended.
- Keep the pressure washer away from items that can be damaged by water.
- Do not keep the nozzle in one spot for too long.
- Ensure that the surface you are pressure washing is stable and will not move.
- Make sure to have a hose nearby if the pressure washer loses power.
- Do not use your pressure washer indoors, except when cleaning an unfinished basement floor.
- Do not use a pressure washer to clean any hot or under pressure surface.
- Ensure that the surface you are cleaning has enough water running over it to cool the nozzle.
- Make sure to read and follow all safety guidelines with your pressure washer.
Wrap Up
So there you have it! Everything you need to know about pressure washing your garage floor.
Of course, pressure washing is just one way to clean your garage floor.
If you are looking for other methods, be sure to check out pressure washing alternatives for your garage floor.
Please ask them in the comments section below if you have any questions. Thanks for reading!
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Last update on 2024-07-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2024-05-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API