Pressure Washing 101
While there are a number of good reasons to hire out your pressure and power washing jobs, some homeowners might be willing to purchase the equipment and add this task to their list of regular seasonal chores. But do you know the basics? The first one is, this isn’t anything like spraying down your driveway with a hose. Here are some points to understand before undertaking power or pressure washing.
1. Size the equipment to your job. If you plan to do this regularly, you’ll probably want to purchase your power or pressure washer. A purchase of this size begs careful consideration, particularly the size. Pressure washers vary, from light duty all the way up to extra-heavy or professional duty. Read up on what each kind can do and weigh it with what you’re planning to clean with it.
2. Proper nozzle. The nozzle you use depends on the cleaning job. Nozzles are color coded to indicate their angle. The lower the angle, beginning at zero degrees, the harder the pressure. The highest angle, at sixty-five degrees, is the gentlest spray, one comparable to a garden hose. Use this one when you’re just wetting down a surface.
3. Protect yourself. Wear eye protection and clothes to protect yourself from flying debris and water spray that ricochets off the cleaning surface.
FRONT YARD LANDSCAPING – SANTA BARBARA
A home’s front yard gardens is the first impression it gives to the rest of the world passing by. Attractive landscaping can improve property values and enhance its residents’ pride of ownership. However, taking care of even simple front yard landscaping can be laborious for the do-it-yourselfer and may end up detracting from the look of the home.
4. The right approach. Again, depending on what you’re cleaning, how you use the pressure washer will vary. For wood, make even passes that don’t hover over one spot, which can be damaging. Concrete requires (and can withstand) the higher pressure of a narrow spray nozzle, and might need multiple passes before it appears clean. Paved surfaces really should be broomed down first, too. Siding is usually done with detergent that will help fight mold and mildew that can grow here. Rinse away the soap with a stream of water at a higher pressure.
Of course, even with these tips, if you’re still unsure, it’s always best to enlist the help of a professional. Check with your local landscapers to see which ones might also provide power or pressure washing services.
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