If pressure washing was easy, everyone would do it. However, it’s just not that simple. Pressure washing surfaces is a difficult process, and it demands your attention, your hard work, and your energy. Even when you’re trying your hardest, it doesn’t guarantee that your appointment will go smoothly. Want to avoid common pressure washing mistakes? If so, it pays to plan ahead—for example, by reading this blog!
In this article, we’ll review five common pressure washing mistakes, how they cause trouble, and how our professionals in Marin County avoid them. That way, you can take the same precautions during your DIY project.
#1: Not Knowing When to Pressure Wash
Out of all the common pressure washing mistakes, one of the worst ones is not knowing when to pressure wash at all. That’s because if you keep skipping exterior maintenance, your property will eventually pay the price. Outside surfaces will accumulate more and more debris, and this will result in your home or business losing its beauty. Not only that, but debris can even cause damage to surfaces, increasing the risk of damage—and the need for costly repairs.
We highly recommend that you take some time to assess your property’s exterior. If you can tell that they’re dirty, then it’s likely that you should do something about it. Plan to either do your own pressure washing or schedule an appointment with us in the near future.
How professionals avoid this: We advise annual pressure washing to keep exterior surfaces clean, and we can tell you if your surfaces are overdue for service. Just send us some pics, and we’ll give you our diagnosis.
#2: Using the Wrong Amount of Water Pressure
If you thought that pressure washing was the same procedure no matter what you need to clean, it’s time to reconsider. The amount of water pressure you must use varies drastically depending on what surfaces you are washing. Using too little water pressure could lead to ineffective results. On the other hand, using too much water pressure could result in surface damage, forcing you to spend money to fix your property.
We’ve included a simple list of many common materials, as well as how much water pressure you should use to clean them, below.
- Composite decking: 500–1,000 PSI
- Vinyl siding: 1,000–1,500 PSI
- Brick surfaces: 1,000–1,500 PSI
- Metal surfaces: 2,000–2,500 PSI
- Concrete surfaces: 2,000–3,000 PSI
How professionals avoid this: We are familiar with the specific needs of all kinds of surfaces and materials. We always use correct settings, and we always test our spray in an inconspicuous area before committing to the full project. This ensures the best possible results for our clients.
#3: Not Protecting Yourself
Pressurized water is a tool, not a toy. It has to be respected because just as it can damage surfaces if misused, it can also cause injury—and the last thing you want is to spend your day in the doctor’s office because of a careless accident.
However, for many people, this is exactly how a pressure washing appointment ends. All it takes is one careless spray to slice open your palm or bruise your skin. Because of this, pressurized water must be used very, very carefully. It always pays to take your time, pay attention to what you’re doing, and ensure your pressure washing project goes smoothly.
How professionals avoid this: We avoid common pressure washing mistakes and injury with basic trigger discipline. In other words, we make sure we’re pointing our hose at the surfaces that need to be cleaned before spraying. Additionally, we wear protective equipment: gloves, goggles, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes.
#4: Not Picking a Good Time to Pressure Wash
Knowing how to pressure wash isn’t enough. You also need to know when to pressure wash. That’s because some days—and some seasons—are worse opportunities than others. For example, pressure washing on a rainy day is a bad idea because the precipitation will interfere with the cleaning process.
Additionally, you’ll want to do your pressure washing during moderate temperatures. It won’t do you any good to break out pressure washing gear in a cold day, especially if it’s freezing outside. In other words, pressure washing is typically not a good choice for the winter.
How professionals avoid this: We check the forecast ahead of time and predict whether any given day will be a good day for pressure washing. We also remind our clients that spring, summer, and autumn are the best seasons for exterior cleaning.
#5: Giving Up Before the Job Is Done
If you are pressure washing your property, it’s because you want it to look its best. It stands to reason, then, that the job isn’t complete until all debris has been washed away. However, some people fall short of this goal, and it’s usually because some grime is difficult to wash away.
We recommend that you don’t give up, even when stains are tough. Instead, try specialized cleaning solutions to break down these messes. With correct use, you can ensure the highest-quality results, leaving you and your neighbors impressed.
How professionals avoid this: Marin Exterior Cleaning treats heavily stained areas by spraying a thin layer of sodium hypochlorite on them. After waiting fifteen minutes, we pressure wash the area again. This usually removes all debris without issues.
Consider Professional Pressure Washing
As you’ve seen in this blog, there are many common pressure washing mistakes you could make. The question is, are you prepared to do the work on your own? Or would you rather reach out to Marin Exterior Cleaning, a professional pressure washing business near you?
If you want to skip the hard work, simply contact us online and let us know how we can help you. We will give you a free cost estimate for your appointment, and then, you can choose a time and date for our arrival. Soon, we’ll be there, ready to make your property’s exterior surfaces beautiful again!
