Are your property’s exterior surfaces in dire need of cleaning? If your property is overdue for pressure washing, you will want to consider fixing the problem sooner rather than later. However, before you can do your own pressure washing, you have to understand how pressure washing equipment works. There are many different tools in a complete surface-cleaning arsenal, and we’re going to review them all below!
Learn more about pressure washing equipment and discover what you’ll need for your DIY project. Or, consider an appointment with Marin Exterior Cleaning. We are proud to be Marin County’s preferred choice for professional pressure washing services.
The Pressure Washer: The Heart of Surface Cleaning
The single most important piece of pressure washing equipment is the pressure washer itself. Allow us to introduce you to this spectacular machine. The pressure washing connects to a water source, such as a faucet, and pumps water to an incredibly high pressure. Then, the water is expelled through a connecting hose. This is what makes pressure washing possible! Those jets of high-pressure water allows you to rinse away all sorts of stubborn debris, including dirt, pollen, bird droppings, loose particles, and so much more.
Pressure washers greatly range in quality and price. So, if you are hoping to purchase your own pressure washer, you will have various options to choose from. Should you choose the cheapest model at the cost of efficiency, or should you opt for a higher-quality model for a much higher price? Or will you find a compromise in the middle? These are considerations you will have to make when buying your own equipment.
After buying your pressure washer, you will also need to take time to learn how to use it. Additionally, you’ll have to purchase any other necessary pieces of equipment, which we will cover in the sections below.
Pressure Washing Detergent
Some people are happy to pressure wash surfaces with water alone. However, this isn’t necessarily the best way to go about this work. It’s difficult to remove debris with plain ol’ water. That’s why we recommend using some sort of pressure washing detergent! Most pressure washers have a soap tank, allowing you to add detergent and easily make it a part of your pressure washing process.
Detergent makes it easier to remove stains for the same reason that soap makes it easier to clean dishes. It breaks down grease and loosens dirt so that it can be more effectively removed. Always do your research before adding a pressure washing detergent to your pressure washer. You want to be absolutely sure that they are compatible. Otherwise, you risk damaging expensive gear, effectively wasting your investment.
Sodium Hypochlorite For the Toughest Stains
Not all stains can be removed with a basic detergent. So, what should you do when you’re faced with stubborn blemishes, such as algae, moss, mold, or oil? We highly recommend using sodium hypochlorite to get the job done.
Sodium hypochlorite is a powerful cleaning solution that makes it easy to break down tough grime. It’s so powerful, in fact, that you shouldn’t put it in your pressure washer’s soap tank. We recommend using a separate spray applicator. Put a thin layer of this chemical on the stained surfaces; then, wait fifteen minutes for stains to be broken down. Finally, pressure wash the area, and tough stains will melt away before your eyes.
Protective Gear For Your Safety
Pressurized water is incredibly powerful. That’s what makes it so effective at removing debris from exterior surfaces. However, it’s also the reason you should be careful. If you accidentally spray yourself with pressurized water, you could become seriously injured. If that happens, you’ll need to forget your pressure washing project and go straight to the hospital.
By wearing protective gear, you’ll protect yourself and significantly reduce the risk of accidentally spraying yourself. We have a simple list of the safety gear you should use below:
- Eye Goggles. Your eyes might be the most sensitive parts of your body. Spraying them could be disastrous, so always wear goggles during your work. No exceptions.
- Gloves. Similarly, you should protect your hands with thick work gloves. That way, you don’t have to worry about slicing open your palm or fingers.
- Appropriate Clothing. When pressure washing, what you wear matters. We recommend wearing full-length pants and closed-toe shoes.
Time: The Most Important Resource
Out of all the necessary pieces of pressure washing equipment, one is more important than the others. We’re talking about time. Time is a necessary component of every pressure washing project; without time, you won’t be able to get any work done. You won’t be able to familiarize yourself with pressure washing equipment, and you won’t be able to gain any experience.
However, time isn’t always available for Marin County’s property owners. That’s what happens when you have a busy lifestyle. So, if you don’t have enough time to go around, what should you do? Consider an appointment with a professional pressure washing business!
At Marin Exterior Cleaning, we are happy to help our local clients, and we would love to lend you a hand next. That way, you don’t have to devote your time to DIY pressure washing. Instead, you can focus on what’s important to you while our experts complete the project for you.
Get Started With Marin Exterior Cleaning
If you would like to schedule an appointment with Marin Exterior Cleaning, don’t wait to contact us online and let us know how we can help you! Don’t forget to send us some basic information about your project. That way, you can provide you with a free cost estimate. From there, it’s up to you to choose a time and date for our arrival.
Don’t worry about buying pressure washing equipment because we’ll bring everything necessary for the work. We’ll bring a team that is fully trained and knows how to use that equipment, too. Expect quality results that make you smile. We never fall short of satisfying our customers!
