Is your siding looking a little rough these days? Whether you’re dealing with mold, algae, or general grime, take a second before you begin to pressure wash. Especially if you’re thinking about DIYing this particular project, we want to share some professional insights! From all of us at Peak Power Wash, here’s what you need to know before you take your spring cleaning to the next level.
Putting the “Pressure” in Pressure Wash
If you’re not familiar with the equipment or process of pressure washing, then it’s easy to inadvertently damage your home. Although pressure washers are readily available for rent or purchase these days, you should know what you’re getting into with this investment. Many electric pressure washers are slightly smaller and designed to offer 1,300 to 1,500 psi (or pounds per square inch). This gentler stream is better suited to your average household cleaning—the kind that’s perfect for grills, bikes, and vehicles.
However, there are also many gas-powered pressure washers on the market today that can offer up to 4,000 psi! Unless you’re planning on blast cleaning industrial equipment or stripping paint/graffiti off your outdoor surfaces, you won’t really need that much power, though. In fact, it could do more harm than good.
Don’t Damage Your Siding
When you’re trying to clean up your home’s exterior, the last thing you want is to cause serious damage to you siding. Unfortunately, this accident can easily occur when applying too much pressure. We’ve seen unhappy homeowners blow holes in their siding and/or cause pieces to come loose. Not to mention, if you’re directing your water stream upward, you risk getting moisture in between the laps, allowing it to seep into the wood underneath. Too much water will lead to rot, potentially compromising the structural integrity of your home. Rather than relying on pressure and hot water to clean your home’s exterior, there’s a much more effective way to wash!
Ask the Professionals
Honestly, this is one spring cleaning chore that you may want to leave to the professionals. At the end of the day, it’s not so much about the pressure you use, or the temperature of the water—it’s about the cleaning agents! An experienced power washer will be able to target issues on your home’s exterior with a custom blend of cleansers that works to remove the problems and prevent them from coming back. With this approach, we only need a low-pressure rinse to accomplish the job.
At Peak Power Wash, we call this the “soft wash” technique. And it allows us to assist homeowners throughout Central Maryland and Southern Pennsylvania with safely cleaning siding, decking, masonry, and more! If you’re interested in learning more about our approach to pressure washing and/or receive a free quote for your own home, please contact us today!