One of the most significant advantages of a pressure washer is its versatility. You can safely use it to clean a variety of surfaces, including concrete, aluminum, wood, vinyl, plastic, etc. Unfortunately, people often avoid pressure washing certain surfaces due to a common misconception that you can easily damage them.
However, although a pressure washer is a powerful tool, you can use it on various surfaces around the house if you know how to operate it properly. That being said, here are a few examples of cleaning jobs you can perform around the house with a pressure washer and how to perform it.
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Pressure wash your driveway
A great starting point for home improvement with a pressure washer is cleaning your driveway. To efficiently clean your driveway with a pressure washer, use a 15° or 25° nozzle and a detergent made strictly for cleaning concrete.
Your driveway is one of the most accessible surfaces to clean as concrete is very sturdy and durable; hence it can easily withstand the pressure washer’s power. Therefore, a stronger pressure washer with 3000+ PSI will be the best option for cleaning concrete.
However, you will still be able to clean it perfectly with a smaller model; it will just take a bit longer. In addition, pressure washers with less PSI are better suited for cleaning more delicate surfaces.
An optional step is to finish off with a sealant. Although unnecessary, it will make future cleaning much easier and provide a smooth finish.
Pressure wash your house
Cleaning the exterior of your house with a pressure washer is a great way to improve its look with minimal expenses. For best results, apply a pressure washer detergent with the detergent nozzle (usually the black nozzle), and work your way from the bottom up.
When rinsing it, work from top to bottom to avoid streaking. The optimal strength of the pressure washer for cleaning a house is between 2000 and 2800 PSI, as stronger models can strip paint and damage the surface if you are not careful. It would be best to use a 25° nozzle to cover the most area when cleaning while avoiding any potential damage to the walls.
Furthermore, if you plan on cleaning wood siding, you should be more cautious since wood is a more fragile material. In that case, consider attaching the 40° to be on the safe side.
Pressure wash your deck
Another great way to improve your property’s appearance is to pressure wash your wooden deck. Footsteps, pets, algae, or pollen can stain it and even cause an unpleasant smell. Luckily, although it gets dirty pretty quickly, it is also effortless to clean.
Like with previous surfaces, using a detergent in combination with a pressure washer will be the best solution. Remember to use a detergent made strictly for wood and a pressure washer with a 40° nozzle. If your pressure washer has the option of adjusting the pressure, set it between 1200 and 1500 PSI. Using a more robust pressure washer is not advisable as it can damage the wood.
When cleaning, remember to spray along the grain to avoid splinters. Finally, be thorough when rinsing out the soap because it can get sticky and attract more dirt if not rinsed properly.
Pressure wash your furniture
Similarly to your deck, outdoor furniture can get stained due to the high traffic of visitors and various outside factors. However, you can easily take care of that by pressure washing any wooden, plastic, aluminum, or vinyl chairs, benches, and tables.
To get a shiny finish and thorough cleanliness, pressure washer detergent is a fantastic addition to the process. Using a pressure washer with less power (1200 to 1500 PSI) is ideal for these surfaces, accompanied by a 40° nozzle to eradicate any chance of damaging the furniture.
Although it is entirely safe to pressure wash it occasionally, do not overdo it. Too frequent pressure washing of furniture can decrease its durability, so doing it once per year will do the trick by keeping it clean and as long-lasting as possible.
In conclusion
Pressure washing can significantly improve the appearance of numerous surfaces around the house. It is safe, cost-efficient, and fairly easy once you get the hang of it. It is important always to apply safety gear and operate it with caution to avoid any injuries or damage to the object you are cleaning.
Remember to use an appropriate pressure washer model and nozzle with PSI suited for the surface you are cleaning. Once everything is set, you are ready to fire it up and leave any surface spotless.
