Pressure Washing Siding

Pressure washing siding helps remove dirt and grime that can damage your house’s exterior. It can also prevent rot, mold, and mildew and extend the life of your home’s exterior paint.

You’ll need a pressure washer, detergent, safety gear, and some tools to get started. Before you start washing, do a test spray to see if your home’s exterior can withstand the pressure. Read on to learn more.

Preparation

Before attempting to pressure wash, ensure that you have the following equipment: a pressure washer (and gas if using a gasoline-powered washer), garden hose, detergent approved for your type of siding, and a soft-bristled brush. Also, make sure you close any windows and doors in the area you plan to work on and cover any electrical components with plastic.

The goal is to remove mildew, dirt, and other debris from the exterior of your home to make way for a fresh coat of paint. While a pressure washer isn’t a magic wand that instantly banishes grime, it’s a great option for prepping your house for new paint. Make sure to rinse thoroughly and pay special attention to corners, crevices, and other hard-to-reach areas that may still have detergent residue. Then allow your house to dry before painting. Ideally, you’ll want to wait a couple of days. This will allow any remaining detergent to be washed away and leave the surface of your house looking brand new.

Safety

House siding can benefit greatly from regular cleaning, but the task requires some caution. It is easy to damage the material, rip off paint, and even ding windows and other openings in the structure when you aim a pressure washer at the wrong area or too aggressively.

Many types of siding can withstand power washing, including vinyl, fiber cement, and modern wood clapboard. However, you should avoid it on shingle or aluminum siding as it can dent and may void a warranty.

In addition, it’s a good idea to cover landscaping and outdoor furniture so they are protected from the blast of water. You should also cover vents and other openings to prevent the spray from entering a home. If your customer has a painted exterior, you should use a 25- or 30-degree nozzle that emits less pressure to avoid chipping paint. The pressure should be tested on a small section of the surface first to ensure it’s safe.

Equipment

A gas or electric pressure washer rated around 3,000 psi is typically sufficient to blast away the grit and grime from vinyl siding. Start with the lowest pressure setting and gradually increase it as needed to clean the surface without causing damage. Before spraying, check the nozzle’s settings for dispersed or concentrated power and adjust it accordingly to avoid blowing holes in walls or getting water behind the siding.

Keep in mind that while most types of siding can withstand the force of a pressure washer, overdoing it could cause it to crack or deform. Using too much water could also penetrate underneath vinyl, brick, or concrete siding and lead to mold growth or water damage.

Pressure washing is an easy service for your company to offer and it’s something homeowners will appreciate doing to prepare their homes for winter or freshen them up before spring arrives. By offering this service, your business will likely see an increase in revenue while making your clients’ houses look great.

Cleaning

A lot of homeowners will hire a pressure washing company to clean their vinyl siding. That’s because this is a common household surface that can be prone to a lot of dirt build-up. That’s why it’s important to keep this surface clean from both an aesthetic and structural perspective.

When cleaning vinyl or other types of house siding, start at a far-away distance with your washer’s nozzle and gradually get closer. This will help you avoid any damage to the surface of the home. If you have a pressure washer with different spray settings, choose the one that’s gentler on your surface.

Use a brush or broom to remove any loose debris and dirt from the surface of your customer’s vinyl siding before moving on to washing it with the sprayer. Work in small sections and do a test spray on an out-of-the-way section of the house to see if your washer is strong enough for the job. Discover more interesting articles.