If only pressure washing were easy. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Pressure washing is a somewhat complicated process, and you’ll almost inevitably encounter some challenges if you choose to do this work on your own. But what challenges should you expect? And how exactly can you overcome them? At Midland Pressure Washing, we are highly experienced in pressure washing, and we would love to share our knowledge with you. In this blog, we’ll teach you about some of the difficulties you’ll face during this work. Remember, if it comes to it, you can always schedule professional pressure washing near me from our experts!
Challenge #1: Failure to Properly Plan
With improper planning, you can make your pressure washing project unnecessarily difficult right out of the gate. Imagine this. You’re planning to pressure wash your driveway, and instead of giving yourself more than enough time for the work, you decide to get started when you have an appointment in two hours. Additionally, you don’t take the time to research how to use your equipment in the days leading up to the job. As a result, you wind up standing outside, cluelessly fiddling with dials on the pressure washer, unsure how to start. And with your appointment rapidly approaching, it’s almost guaranteed your pressure washing project will end with lackluster results.
We highly recommend that you properly prepare for pressure washing if you’re planning to do it on your own! Take some time to read and learn about your equipment. Practice using it so you understand its basic functionality. Then, make sure you’ve given yourself plenty of time for the work. For first-time pressure washing projects, we highly recommend giving yourself most of the day to complete the work. You never know what other challenges might come up!
Challenge #2: Setting Water Pressure Levels
How much water pressure does Midland Pressure Washing use? There is no singular answer for this question. In fact, pressure washing may use as little as 100 PSI and as much as 3,500 PSI. The amount of water pressure you should use depends on the surfaces that you are planning to wash. For example, softwood should be cleaned with a relatively low amount of water pressure; concrete, on the other hand, can withstand much more force.
For your convenience, we’ve included a helpful list of different materials and the amount of water pressure they can handle. This isn’t a comprehensive list, but it will certainly point you in the right direction. Don’t see your material on the list? A quick Google search will help you find the answer you’re looking for.
- Softwood: 500–600 PSI
- Hardwood: 800–1,200 PSI
- Asphalt: 1,000–1,500 PSI
- Concrete: 2,500–3,000 PSI
Challenge #3: Protecting Yourself
Everyone has heard the expression “safety first”, but how exactly should you protect yourself during the process of pressure washing near me? When handling pressurized water, you need to understand its strength, and you need to understand how it can injure you if you accidentally spray it on yourself. If water is highly pressurized, it can bruise you, cut your skin, or in the worst-case scenario, damage your eyes. To eliminate the chance of this happening, it’s always a great idea to exercise caution during your project. You can never be too careful during this work.
We highly recommend that you use safety gear during your project, too. This safety gear includes eye protection, closed-toe shoes, gloves, and full-length pants. The main idea behind this equipment is to cover as much of your bare flesh as possible. This reduces the likelihood of accidentally spraying your skin and hurting yourself.
Challenge #4: Handling Stubborn Debris
What happens when you are pressure washing your property and discover stubborn debris that you can’t seem to wash away? It can be frustrating when you can’t seem to make surfaces clean, but don’t worry. You don’t have to shrug and pretend that your surfaces look “good enough” with this strong grime stuck on them. Instead, use the power of cleaning solutions to weaken this grime. That way, it can be pressure washed away with little issue!
At Midland Pressure Washing, one of our cleaning solutions of choice is sodium hypochlorite. By applying this cleaner to any stubborn debris, we’ll break it down in just a few minutes. Shortly afterwards, we will rinse the surface with pressurized water, putting an end to all grime. Cleaning solutions don’t just leave surfaces in spotless condition. They also decompose safely after your appointment. This means zero pollution and zero damage to Mother Nature!
Challenge #5: Improper Cleaning
Pressure washing near me requires a certain amount of finesse. In fact, it’s not enough to have the correct equipment and the correct water pressure settings. You always have to handle the pressure washing hose in a consistent manner. If you’re constantly changing the way you’re holding the hose—for example, adjusting the distance between the hose and the surface, or moving it too slowly/quickly—it results in inconsistent cleaning. This often leaves behind streaks, swirl marks, or patches of dirt that stand out once the surface dries.
To prevent this from happening, remember that consistency is key! Keep your hose’s nozzle at the same distance from the surface, and overlap each pass slightly (like you would when mowing a lawn) to ensure complete cleanliness. Smooth, controlled movements will give you professional results at the end of your project.
Schedule Pressure Washing Near Me
As you’ve discovered, pressure washing near me has its fair share of challenges. If you don’t feel like you’re cut out for this sort of work, don’t worry. You don’t have to clean your own surfaces. Instead, reach out to Midland Pressure Washing, the go-to source of pressure washing services in Leawood, KS.
At Midland Pressure Washing, we’re prepared to take on small projects, big projects, and everything in between for a fair price! To get started, contact us online with information about your project. That way, we can learn more about your needs and even provide you with a free estimate. We hope to hear from you soon!
