Pressure Washing: 101
Pressure washing is a fast and easy means to improve your home's appearance. Pressure washing your house cleans and protects the largest investment most South Carolina homeowners will make in their lifetime. Once completed, many realize they do not need house painting as previously suspected; their home just needed a good cleaning.
The easiest way to learn how to use a pressure washer is the hands-on method, but before you get started, let's take a minute to cover some of the safety basics of pressure washing.
- Foremost, eye protection is a must. A residential pressure washer operates between 2000 to 3000 psi, which will effectively launch debris into thousands of tiny missiles. If you value your sight, do not take it for granted, wear safety googles or wish you had.
- Additionally, if you are pressure washing correctly, you are going to get wet, not damp, but soaking wet and most likely very dirty. Wearing an old shirt, shorts and a pair of sandals is highly recommended.
- Finally, a ladder may be necessary to reach the high spots. However, take special care in this situation, as wet ladder rungs and open toed sandals often do not mix very well.
Now let's consider the primary components of a pressure washing system. They include: water pressure, water flow rate or GPM, (gallons per minute) types of cleaning chemicals and the less common element of (heat) hot water. Hot water is seldom necessary in a residential application, unless you are repeatedly cleaning oil or grease from a concrete surface, such as a driveway or garage floor. In that case, spend your money visiting an auto mechanic first and get your oil leak fixed.
If you are purchasing a residential pressure washer ($250 to $500), consider the cleaning application you will most often perform. If the hot water feature is only a rare requirement, consider renting ($75 a day) a hot water system when that specific need arises. For the majority of South Carolina homeowners, a cold water pressure washing system (with a 30'ft. hose) will meet most common household needs.
How does a pressure washer work? It's quite simple really; the high pressure force of water blasts away dirt and mold. Incorporating the use of a chemical solution helps to breakdown the bond between the stains and the surface area. Chemicals also discourage re-growth of algae, mold and mildew by killing it on a microscopic level. Red Clay stains which are common on many South Carolina homes usually require a chemical agent like bleach to remove the pigmentation and discoloration water pressure alone fails to blast away.
Whenever chemicals (costs vary accordingly) are used, special care should be given to concentration factors. Dilute solutions as directed by manufacturer's specifications so as not to harm surfaces, pets and shrubbery. Additional steps, including a rinsing agent or a deactivating solution may also be required. Adding a liquid wax counters as a sealant and repellant for extended protection.
Be sure to always test the force of the water pressure and the tip you choose on hidden areas of the surface intended to be cleaned. Three thousand pounds of blasting water per square inch can easily damage wood, or stucco and remove paint from nearly any surface, if this preventative measure is not taken.
Reading the equipment manual before starting, following the directions and observing these common sense precautions will not only help you achieve professional quality results in the exterior cleaning of your home, but you can also have a little water fun in the process. Afterwards, enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done and the many compliments of how great your home now looks.
If you're a South Carolina business, or homeowner and your home, or facility needs pressure washing call us today at (864) 323-7717.
We'll complete your cleaning project professionally, on time and on budget. You'll know why, Our Experience Works for You!
If your household water is supplied by a private well that tends to suffer during dry summers, or your community is under mandated water restrictions, consider a professional pressure washer. Many pressure washing companies have the ability to bring their own water supply in large tanks on trucks or trailers. It will cost more, but still preferable to fines (sadly, neighbors do report violations), or running your private well dry. Call McCauley Painting in Greenwood, SC — Today!
"McCauley Painting of Greenwood, South Carolina has built itself on word of mouth referrals through great customer satisfaction. If you have experienced the quality and value of our painting services and have friends, or relatives in need of a painter, why not suggest they give us a call right now? Better yet, let us know and we'll call them for you."
