The weather can take a toll on the outside of your home. Wind, rain, hail and sun can all affect the appearance of your home and it doesn’t take long before it can look dirty, grimy or even moldy. A good power washing can make an older home look fresh and new. This job requires a certain amount of knowledge and can present some dangers.
Choosing the Correct Pressure Washer & PSI
What is PSI? PSI stands for pounds per square inch. This is part of the equation, but you really need to look at the water flow in gallons per minute. A 5 GPM machine with 3,700 PSI will clean better than a 4 GPM machine at 4,000 PSI. The machine should also be able to dispense a cleaning product along with the water. You can clean a driveway with plain water but it will take longer without any chemicals and won’t last as long. Using a bit of chlorine will keep the mold and mildew away. A good consumer-grade pressure washer should start at around $500 which is quite the investment. A professional pressure washer has even better equipment!
Pressure Cleaning Can Be Dangerous
Pressure washing can be a bit dangerous if operated incorrectly. The high-pressure of the water blast can damage property and cause serious injury. If you ever do attempt pressure washing, make sure you wear eye protection, gloves, boots and a long sleeved shirt. A new pressure washer can take the paint right off a house. A professional knows what direction the nozzle is pointing when activating the sprayer and makes sure no one is in the line of fire. Care is taken around windows, frames, doors, overhangs and screen enclosures. These are easy to damage if you’re not careful. If it’s windy, then we pay attention to the direction the spray is going to avoid spraying ourselves. All parts of the pressure washer are under pressure. If a hose happens to pop or the tip isn’t fully clipped on, it can sound like a gunshot when it pops and it can be a little brutal so extra care must always be taken.
Low Pressure VS High Pressure
Not all jobs need the highest pressure. A low pressure setting should be enough for washing a house or deck. Different machines have different levels of settings and interchangeable nozzles. A professional knows that chemicals need to be applied from the ground up and then rinsed from the top down and make sure the chemicals don’t dry. We know the limits of our machines and realize that some stains will not come out no matter how high you turn the pressure up. You can cause damage if you try too hard. We protect plants and cars from chemical runoff by covering them or rinsing them with water before, during and after the process which dilutes any chemical residues.
Professional Pressure Washing in West Houston, Cypress, Katy, Spring Valley Village & Piney Point Village Texas
There are many pressure washing jobs needed around your home. Whether it’s a small job, a big job, one story or more; it’s best to call the professionals at Sunburst Window Cleaning & Holiday Lighting. Roofs can be dangerous to work on and are easy to damage.
