If pressure washing were easy, everyone would do it. This just isn’t the case, though. Pressure washing is quite challenging, and because of this, many property owners reach out to professional pressure washing businesses instead of doing the work on their own. However, if you are committed to DIY pressure washing, understand that you need to prepare yourself. Otherwise, you might fall victim to many common pressure washing mistakes.
In this blog, let’s review these mistakes, as well as how you can avoid them! Midland Pressure Washing will be your guide today. We are Leawood, KS’s first choice for pressure washing, and it’s always our pleasure to help our community.
Mistake #1: Not Setting Aside Enough Time
If you’ve never done your pressure washing before, you may not realize how time-consuming the process is. Make no mistake about it, though—you’ll need many hours if you want to complete this work. You absolutely don’t want to rush through your pressure washing project because this will compromise the quality of the final results. And if your property isn’t going to look its best after your pressure washing project, what’s the point?
Solution: Make sure you give yourself more than enough time to finish the work. Check your calendar for the coming weeks and ask yourself—what’s the best day for the project? Choose a day when you don’t have prior obligations. That way, you don’t wind up in a situation where you have to rush just to make your next appointment.
Mistake #2: Not Having the Right Equipment
Another one of the most common pressure washing mistakes is lacking the equipment for your project. It’s obvious that you won’t be able to finish the work without the right gear. The question is—what equipment do you need anyway? We’ve included a list of the necessities below.
- Pressure washer. This machine connects to a water source, highly pressurizes the water, and sprays it through a hose. This is what makes pressure washing possible.
- Cleaning solutions. A basic pressure washing detergent helps you get rid of stubborn debris. We also recommend having sodium hypochlorite and a spray applicator.
- Safety gear. By wearing goggles, gloves, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes, you’ll be able to protect yourself from pressurized water.
Solution: Read over our list, make sure you have all the necessary pressure washing gear, and take some time to learn how to use it. That way, you are fully prepared for the pressure washing process on the day of your project.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Basic Safety Precautions
Pressurized water is a tool, not a toy. If you don’t treat this tool with the respect it demands, it could easily result in an injury. For example, if you spray yourself with pressurized water by accident, you could bruise or even slice your skin.
Additionally, if you need to pressure wash high surfaces, you must keep ladder safety in mind. If your ladder isn’t placed in a flat, steady area, it could rock and lose its balance. If you are careless, you could even fall off the ladder.
Solution: Don’t fall for these common pressure washing mistakes. When handling pressure washing equipment, always be careful. Never point the hose at yourself, and make sure your ladder is always stationed on a stable surface. Finally, remember the rule of three points of contact: you should have two legs and one arm or one leg and two arms on the ladder at all times.
Mistake #4: Not Using the Correct Water Pressure
Another one of the most common pressure washing mistakes is not using the correct water pressure. Some people think that pressure washing is a one-size-fits-all process, but don’t be fooled. If you were to use the same amount of water pressure for every project, you’d quickly discover problems. Some surfaces need to be cleaned with a high amount of water pressure; others need less. Use the wrong level, and you could wind up with lackluster results, or even worse, surface damage.
We’ve included several examples of surfaces, as well as the amount of water pressure you’ll need to clean them with, below:
- Vinyl siding: 1,000–1,500 PSI
- Hardwood: 1,500–2,000 PSI
- Stone pavers: 1,500–2,500 PSI
- Concrete: 2,500–3,000 PSI
Solution: Do your research, make sure you’re using the correct water pressure setting for your project, and always spray an inconspicuous area before committing to the whole project. That way, you can see how the surface reacts to your chosen water pressure setting. If everything looks good, you can move along with your work.
Mistake #5: Giving Up When Encountering Stubborn Debris
Sometimes, you’ll find tough debris on your property’s exterior surfaces. Even when you pressure wash it, it won’t rinse away. So, what should you do? Give up? No way—that would be one of those common pressure washing mistakes. Instead, use sodium hypochlorite to break down tough grime and reclaim your property’s beauty.
Solution: Use a spray applicator to put a thin layer of sodium hypochlorite on surfaces with stubborn debris. Then, wait fifteen minutes for grime to be broken down. Finally, pressure wash the surfaces again, and all that debris should wash away easily now.
Consider Professional Pressure Washing
As you’ve discovered, there are many common pressure washing mistakes for you to make. With the correct preparations, you can avoid these errors. However, if you’re worried about the work ahead of you, don’t worry. You can always schedule an appointment with Midland Pressure Washing for the professional assistance you need.
To get started with Midland Pressure Washing, contact us online and let us know how we can help you. We’ll even give you a free estimate; that way, you know what you’re paying ahead of time. The final cost of your appointment is based on the size of your job. (There are never hidden fees or surcharges.)
We look forward to helping you avoid common pressure washing mistakes. With our professional services, you won’t even have to pick up a hose. What’s not to like?
