Pressure Washing for Exterior Spring Cleaning
Refinish Decks and Siding and Concrete Sidewalks and Driveways
Mar 13, 2009
Over the course of the year, many elements conspire to dull the bright, clean appearance of any home. This is due to exposure to things such as mildew, sap, pollution, and pollen. It happens so slowly that the homeowner might not even notice it happening. It's easy to spot when it's time to refinish a deck, but not always the siding.
Cleaning the exterior of a home need not be an overwhelming chore. Done with a bucket, hand brush, and a hose it might be, but a pressure washer takes most of the elbow grease out of the task.
Do a Visual Inspection Before Power Washing
This is a high pressure machine, and just as it will blast off the grime, it will blast off things better left attached. Things like:
- Paint. If paint is bubbling or flaking on a wood surface like siding or window frames or sills the water will most likely take it off. These areas can and should be sprayed so long as they will be promptly primed and painted as soon as they dry out completely.
- Loose masonry. Soft or loose brick mortar can also be dislodged by the high pressure water jet. If this happens, be prepared to repoint the brick veneer.
- Paint on aluminum garage doors. Paint does not adhere to aluminum well to begin with, even if primed properly. The fact that the light metal will flex under the pressure of the water compounds this problem.
- The surface of wooden fences. By nature, picket fences and other wooden types are porous and light. They will come out looking like new, but only by sacrificing surface area. Fences and garage doors should be done by hand.
Pre-treat with a Cleaning Solution Prior to Washing
Make it easy for the power washer to do its job. Although it is possible to run bleach or other cleaning products through the unit, it is not the best thing for the machine. Instead, use a pump-up sprayer to soak an area, let it sit and work for approximately 20 minutes, and then wash.
A House Cleaning Solution Recipe
Rather than just buy an expensive product, why not mix up a batch? This one works well.
- 1 quart of Jomex cleaner and mildew killer
- 3 gallons water
- 1 gallon fresh bleach
- 1 tablespoon Cascade dishwasher detergent or equivalent to act as a surfactant
Don't Limit Exterior Spring Cleaning to the Siding
Spic 'n span siding is great curb appeal, but to make the home really stand out, more needs so be done. It's surprising how clean the concrete driveway and sidewalk will become after a pressure washing treatment.
How about the swimming pool decking? Not only will it look great clean, but it will increase safety by maximizing foot traction in the area. After all, sometimes it seems that admonishing the kids about running is simply an exercise in futility.
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