Power Washing
People like to power wash things because it gets things cleaner than just hosing something down. This is a service that can be offered by professionals, but a competent adult can do it themselves. It is not difficult to do it on your own if you follow some safety tips.
If you don’t use the power washer properly, you can be injured. It is best not to allow smaller children to use the power washer because they might not be able to handle it properly. You can rent one or you can buy one at most hardware stores.
If you choose to hire a professional, you need to make sure that you do your research to find a good one. You can hire Soft Works Power Washing to do the job for you. They will make sure that the job is done to your specifications.
This article will help you to learn more about the power washer and how to use it. It will give you some tips if you want to use one on your own. You can also do more research to find the information that you are seeking.
Power Washing Tips
1. What Type Do You Need? It is crucial to choose the right equipment to do the job. You will need to determine the size of the area that you will be cleaning. If you have a small area, you might want to consider a small electric powered one, while a large area might require a larger gas powered one.
There are many sizes that you can choose, including light-duty, medium-duty, heavy-duty, and professional grade: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-pressure-washer/. You want to get the size that you need to do the job just right. If you are doing this right around your home, you could use a light-duty one but if you are doing a large parking lot or other area, you might need a professional grade.
2. Read the Instructions – You want to read all the manufacturer’s instructions before you assemble the power washer. If you don’t do it correctly, you might end up injuring yourself or others. You could also destroy the area that you are trying to clean if it is not done correctly.
3. Inspect for Damage – You need to check it for any types of damage before you use it. You should check hoses, connections, or nozzles to see if they are cracked or otherwise damaged. This can ensure that the equipment is safe, and you will use it correctly.
You also need to check the places that you want to clean for damage. If there is broken concrete or other damage, clean that up before you use the power washer. You don’t want to be injured by something or to damage your property any more than it is.
4. Wear Protection – You want to wear eye protection when using this equipment because debris can damage your eyes. You should also wear other protective gear including gloves and closed-toed shoes. This will protect you from other debris that gets moved around as you clean.
5. Prepare Your Area – Clear the area that you want to clean before you begin. This means removing all debris, anything fragile, and anything else that you might damage. You will also want to cover all electrical outlets and plants that you don’t want harmed.
6. Use the Correct Nozzle Tips – There are different sizes and types of nozzle tips that you might want to use. You need to pick the right one for the job that you are doing. Different types do different types of jobs.
You can have a red nozzle that is zero degrees for intense cleaning, a yellow nozzle that is fifteen degrees and is best for washing concrete areas around your home, a green nozzle that is twenty-five degrees that is good for cleaning your car, a white nozzle is forty degrees that is good for exterior home cleaning, and a black nozzle that is sixty-five degrees and is great for wetting surfaces and not cleaning dirt away. See here for more information.
There are other things that you could use to help do the job better. This includes a surface cleaner that uses a spinning bar to clean larger areas, a turbo nozzle that produces a zero-degree stream of water which is good for removing deep stains, a pressure washing broom that is used for cleaning large areas, and a soap dispensing reservoir that will dispense liquid detergent.
7. Understand Your Settings – Make sure that you use the proper settings for the job that you are doing. High pressure can be used for hard surfaces such as concrete. Lower pressures can be used for things like wood surfaces.
8. The Right Cleaners – You also need to use the right cleaners to do the job. You can’t use just any cleaner with a pressure washer, you need to use something that is specifically for power washers. Your favorite dish soap probably won’t do the job as well.
Some cleaners that you can use will hurt different surfaces, so make sure to check the labels of the product before you use them. You want to use a gentle cleaner with wood and similar surfaces, while a more stringent cleaner would be good for concrete. Choose the correct cleaner for the surface you are cleaning.
9. Test Spray – Before you begin the job, do a test spray in an inconspicuous spot. This way you won’t damage something in a visible spot. You don’t want to harm the whole surface because you have used the wrong nozzle or the wrong cleaner.
10. Spray at an Angle – You will get a more efficient cleaning if you spray at an angle. This will also prevent damage to the surface. This is especially helpful when cleaning decks or wood walls.
Conclusion
These are just a few tips that can help you to use a power washer for the first time. If you follow these tips, you will be safer, and your surfaces should be cleaner. You want to clean your area; you don’t want to damage it because you are careless.
