A fence provides many benefits to your property. For one, it gives your home or business increased security, making it much less likely that strangers will roam into your yard or other areas. Additionally, a clean, well-maintained fence increases the property value. But what if your fence isn’t clean? If so, you’ll want to learn how to power wash a fence—but how exactly does this process work?
Discover the ins and outs of fence power washing with Elite Pressure Washing. We are Tampa, FL’s first choice for professional fence cleaning, and we will show you the techniques that our experts use each and every day to make customers happy!
Why Learn How to Power Wash a Fence?
What makes learning how to power wash a fence so important? Couldn’t you theoretically just let your fence get “cleaned by the rain”? If only this were a proper solution. However, rain typically isn’t enough to rinse away tough debris. For example, deep-seated dirt, as well as moss, mold, and algae, won’t even be slightly disturbed by rainfall. Because of this, more deliberate methods are needed.
This is where fence power washing comes into play. If you learn how to power wash a fence, you’ll be able to remove all the tough grime from your fence without relying on professional assistance. This will drastically improve your fence’s appearance. Not only that, but it will also help your fence last longer!
Regular fence power washing is the key to saving money and frustration in the long run. If it’s already been more than a year since your fence was last cleaned, why wait to do something about it? Prioritize fence power washing as soon as possible!
What Tools Do I Need?
If you want to learn how to power wash a fence, you’ll need the right equipment. It’s not the sort of work you can do with a bucket and a sponge! Instead, make sure you have a pressure washer. This machine connects to a water source and pumps the water to a very high pressure. Then, this water is sprayed out of a hose, allowing for the thorough cleaning of fences (and many other structures and surfaces as well).
What other pieces of equipment will you need to learn how to power wash a fence? Don’t forget the items that we’ve listed in the list below:
- Connecting hose. Necessary for spraying surfaces clean. This will give you the ability to accurately aim the water jet.
- Detergent. A simple pressure washing detergent helps break down tough debris. You can simply add it to your pressure washer’s soap tank.
- Sodium hypochlorite and spray applicator. Sodium hypochlorite is a great last resort for extremely stubborn debris. We recommend putting it in a spray applicator instead of your pressure washer’s comparably delicate soap tank.
- Safety gear. Please protect yourself when handling pressurized water. We recommend covering your sensitive skin and other body parts with goggles, gloves, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes.
How Can I Prepare For Fence Cleaning?
There are many ways you can prepare for your fence power washing project. First and foremost, make sure you have enough time for the work. When scheduling your power washing, we recommend choosing an open day with few other responsibilities. You don’t want to rush through power washing because it could compromise the quality of the final results.
Additionally, have you moved any fragile items away from the fence? Furniture, decorations, and other belongings should be moved a distance away from the work site. That way, they don’t become obstacles during power washing. This also protects them from damage related to pressurized water.
Choosing How Much Water Pressure to Use
The amount of water pressure you should use during fence power washing depends on the fence’s material. If you were to use the same amount of water pressure during each project, some surfaces could become damaged, and others might not be cleaned satisfactorily. For your convenience, we’ve listed several examples of fence materials, and how much water pressure to clean them with, below.
- Vinyl, Aluminum, Composite: 500–1,000 PSI
- Chain-Link, Wrought Iron, Wood: 1,000–1,500 PSI
- Steel: 1,500–2,000 PSI
Always test your spray in an inconspicuous area before committing to the whole project. That way, you can see how the fence reacts to the spray without risking damage to visible, obvious parts of it.
Restoring Your Fence’s Cleanliness
The final step in learning how to power wash a fence is learning the proper washing techniques. Make sure your pressure washer has detergent, and don’t forget to put on your safety equipment. We recommend positioning yourself two feet away from the fence, always pointing the hose towards its dirty surfaces and never at yourself.
We suggest power washing your fence in a simple, row-by-row manner. That way, you can easily keep track of what you’ve already cleaned and what still needs your attention. Watch your fence’s transformation unfold before your very eyes. It’s amazing how much more vibrant surfaces are once they’ve been washed!
Struggling with stubborn debris? Don’t worry—sodium hypochlorite will help with this problem. Simply put a thin layer of this chemical on the dirty surfaces using your spray applicator. Then, wait fifteen minutes for grime to be broken down. Finally, power wash the area again and marvel as all dirt and debris are rinsed away.
Consider Professional Fence Power Washing
If learning how to power wash a fence is too much work, don’t worry. There’s a helpful alternative. Reach out to Elite Pressure Washing, and our team will happily take on this job for you. We will arrive at your property with all the necessary fence power washing equipment, and while we restore your fence, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
How much do our services cost? That depends on the size of your fence. Smaller jobs cost less; larger jobs cost more. There are never hidden fees. Contact us online with more information to schedule your appointment.
