Are you planning to do your own pressure washing in the near future? We salute you because DIY exterior cleaning isn’t exactly easy. This is precisely why you should prepare yourself for the difficulties that lie ahead. And it always pays to do your research because if you don’t, you’re much more likely to make one of the common pressure washing mistakes listed below. Don’t want to have any accidents? Read this blog and get ready for what comes ahead!
We’ll teach you the best ways to avoid these common pressure washing mistakes. And remember: the foolproof way to have an accident-free pressure washing experience is scheduling an appointment with the pros. Elite Pressure Washing is awaiting your call.
Mistake #1: Not Pressure Washing Often Enough
Out of all common pressure washing mistakes, one is more severe than the others. That would be simply not pressure washing enough. Some people have it in their heads that their properties don’t need exterior cleaning at all, or that the rain will somehow keep those outside surfaces clean. Unfortunately, there is little truth to this statement. Rain is too weak to rinse away stubborn grime, meaning that over time, exterior surfaces will only become dirtier and dirtier without pressure washing. Eventually, the problem will be too obvious to keep ignoring.
At Elite Pressure Washing, we highly recommend that your property be pressure washed at least once per year. This keeps unwanted debris at bay and maintains your home or business’s beauty—and who doesn’t want their property to look its best?
Mistake #2: Underestimating Time Needed For Pressure Washing
When planning your DIY pressure washing project, you might say to yourself, “One or two hours is enough.” However, don’t make this error: it’s one of the many common pressure washing mistakes. Pressure washing is a time-consuming process, and you really ought to give yourself more time than necessary to complete the work. That way, it’s not a big deal if your project runs over.
We recommend that you schedule your pressure washing project on a day when you don’t have many responsibilities. That way, if it winds up consuming all your free time for that day, you aren’t late for any appointments or fall behind on personal errands.
Mistake #3: Not Putting Your Safety First
Pressure washing isn’t an impossible task for everyday people. However, it is a process that should be worked through carefully. A key component of pressure washing is using pressurized water to clean exterior surfaces. This pressurized water is extremely powerful; that’s why it is so effective for removing grime. However, it’s a double-edged sword because if you accidentally spray yourself with this water, it will almost certainly cause an injury.
Because of this, we highly recommend you take precautions to protect yourself while pressure washing. Stay attentive, and make sure you are well-rested before beginning your work. Always wear protective gear, including gloves, goggles, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes; this reduces the risk of you bruising or slicing your skin with pressurized water.
Mistake #4: Using the Wrong Water Pressure Setting
Once you have all the pressure washing equipment on hand, can you leap directly into your project? Not quite because you haven’t researched how much water pressure to use. If you thought that all surfaces could be pressure washed with the same amount of force, think again. Different surfaces have different limits, and if you don’t respect those limits, you could wind up with low-quality results or even damage your property.
For your convenience, we have included a list of several surfaces you might need to pressure wash, as well as the appropriate water pressure setting. If your project is not on this list, use your search engine of choice to conduct the necessary research.
- Wood Fencing: 500–1,000 PSI
- Composite Decking: 500–1,000 PSI
- Vinyl Siding: 1,000–1,500 PSI
- Stucco: 1,000–1,500 PSI
- Brick: 1,500–2,000 PSI
- Concrete: 2,500–3,000 PSI
Mistake #5: Not Using Cleaning Solutions When Needed
Another one of the most common pressure washing mistakes is falling short of perfection during your project. One of the biggest reasons to clean exterior surfaces is to restore your property’s beauty, right? So why fall short of securing stunning results? Instead of giving up when you encounter stubborn debris that won’t wash away, use powerful cleaning solutions, like sodium hypochlorite, to weaken this grime so it can be removed entirely.
To use sodium hypochlorite, we recommend also purchasing a spray applicator. Put sodium hypochlorite in the spray applicator; then, layer the stained area with the chemical. Wait fifteen minutes for it to work its magic before finally pressure washing the area again. You’ll see for yourself that blemishes that were once impossible to remove vanish before your eyes.
Avoid Common Pressure Washing Mistakes With Us
As you have seen in this blog, there are many common pressure washing mistakes that DIYers are prone to make. However, with the correct preparations, you can avoid these errors altogether, ensuring your project goes smoothly. All it takes is some hard work and determination.
However, if you lack the time or energy necessary to complete a DIY pressure washing project, or if you’re worried about making a mistake along the way, don’t worry. You can always reach out to Elite Pressure Washing for an appointment! We are proud to be Tampa, FL’s first choice for pressure washing services, and we will happily serve you next.
Get Started With Us Today
We would love to help you with your pressure washing project, so why not reach out to us and let us know how we can help? Contact us online with some basic information, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible with a free cost estimate. Then, you can select a time and date for our arrival. Soon, we will be at your home or business, cleaning surfaces to your complete satisfaction. It’s a sure bet we won’t make any mistakes along the way, either.
