Are you planning to do your own pressure washing project in the near future? Want to make sure you’re as prepared as possible for the work? If so, you’ll need to do your research. Otherwise, you’ll encounter many common pressure washing mistakes, and those will surely leave you scratching your head.
Discover five common pressure washing mistakes, and learn how to avoid them, with Cardwell Cleaning. We are Greensboro’s preferred pressure washing business, and we know the ins and outs of the pressure washing process. Let us serve you next!
#1: Not Giving Yourself Enough Time
Perhaps the biggest mistake you can make during pressure washing is not giving yourself enough time. Pressure washing is a time-consuming process, and you shouldn’t rush through the work. Otherwise, you’ll compromise the quality of the final results. And if your property doesn’t look its best at the end of your project, what was the point? Give yourself enough time for pressure washing, focus on cleaning every square foot, and enjoy your property’s new look!
When planning your pressure washing project, choose a day where you aren’t swamped with appointments and errands to run. That way, you can easily dedicate many hours to the work. Don’t have any time for pressure washing? If so, you may need to consider scheduling an appointment with a professional business that can do the work for you.
#2: Not Preparing Your Property For Cleaning
If you’re planning to pressure wash your property, don’t forget to prepare it for cleaning first! Not doing so is another one of the biggest common pressure washing mistakes. The question is, though, what preparations are necessary?
First and foremost, any surfaces that you plan to clean need to be cleared off. Are there decorations, outdoor furniture, grills, and other objects on those surfaces? If so, move all those items to a safe alternative location. That way, they aren’t damaged by pressurized water, and they don’t become obstacles during your work.
Additionally, you’ll want to cover any gardens or flower beds. That way, you don’t accidentally damage your plants. All you have to do is drape a tarp or cloth over your flowers and vegetables to shield them. A little preparation goes a long way!
#3: Choosing the Right Water Pressure Setting
Pressure washing allows you to clean many kinds of surfaces. However, pressure washing is not a “one-size-fits-all” process. The amount of water pressure you’ll use depends on the material you are cleaning. Use too little water pressure, and the results will be lacking. Use too much, and you could actually cause damage to your property.
So, how much water pressure do you need to use during your project? We’ve included many examples of common surfaces/materials, as well as the respective appropriate water pressure setting, in the list below:
- Roofs (soft washing): 100–500 PSI
- Hardwood decks and fences: 1,000–1,500 PSI
- Stone pavers: 2,000–3,000 PSI
- Concrete driveways and sidewalks: 2,500–3,000 PSI
Don’t see your project on the list? A little research will go a long way. Check Google to figure out the best water pressure setting for your project, and don’t forget to test your water pressure spray in an inconspicuous area before committing to the whole project.
#4: Being Careful With Ladders
In some cases, you’ll need to use a ladder during your pressure washing project. Otherwise, you won’t be able to reach high surfaces that need cleaning. However, as soon as ladders are involved, you need to exercise caution. That’s because the misuse of ladders is one of the biggest common pressure washing mistakes, as well as the number-one cause of accidents during home and roof cleaning projects.
Make sure your ladder is set up in a flat, steady area. If your ladder wobbles or rocks when you try to climb it, get off immediately! And always remember the rule of three points of contact when using a ladder. You should be gripping the rungs with three of your four limbs at all times—either two arms and a leg or one arm and two legs. This drastically reduces the risk of a fall.
#5: Using Cleaning Solutions as Needed
During your pressure washing project, you may discover that some debris doesn’t wash away so easily. When this happens, what are you supposed to do? Are you supposed to give up and walk away from your project? Don’t wave the white flag of surrender—that’s one of the biggest common pressure washing mistakes. Instead, use cleaning solutions to weaken stubborn debris so you can get rid of it with ease!
At Cardwell Cleaning, we use sodium hypochlorite to break down stubborn grime. This eco-friendly cleaning solution rapidly breaks down debris without any risk of pollution. We highly recommend you use sodium hypochlorite, too! Use a spray applicator to put a thin layer of this chemical onto exterior surfaces. Then, wait fifteen minutes before pressure washing the area. This should eliminate all debris, leaving your property’s exterior spotless.
Consider Professional Pressure Washing
When you do your own pressure washing, you have to be careful. Otherwise, you’ll fall victim to a number of common pressure washing mistakes. Making even one mistake could cost you hours of time. Don’t let this happen. To guarantee your pressure washing experience is mistake-free, reach out to Cardwell Cleaning, a locally owned and operated business!
We proudly serve the Greensboro, OH community, and it would be our pleasure to serve you next. Why reach out to us? Our experts will completely revitalize your property’s exterior surfaces, giving you the high-quality results you deserve. Not only that, but we’ll do the work for a fair price. There are no hidden fees or surcharges.
Get started today by contacting us online with more information about your project. We’ll give you a free cost estimate for your convenience, and then, you can choose a time and date for your appointment. We can’t wait to lend you a helping hand!
