If only pressure washing were easy! If this were the case, then everyone would be able to clean their property’s exterior surfaces without any issues. Unfortunately, pressure washing in Rancho Cucamonga comes with its fair share of challenges, and without the correct preparations, it’s easy to make some sort of error. In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of the most common pressure washing mistakes. That way, you know what to look out for during your project, and you’ll be able to avoid these problems before they even cause you the slightest bit of trouble.
Need help with pressure washing? If so, look no further than California Pressure Washer. We’ll be your guide today, and we even offer professional pressure washing services if you need a surefire way to avoid common pressure washing mistakes.
Mistake #1: Not Understanding When to Pressure Wash
Out of all the common pressure washing mistakes, the single biggest misstep you can make is not understanding when to pressure wash. Maybe you’ve looked at your property’s exterior, shrugged, and told yourself, “Good enough.” Because of this, you might be putting off pressure washing for the foreseeable future. However, we encourage you to inspect your property’s exterior with a more critical eye. Look for any surface debris, including dirt, pollen, moss, mold, and algae. These substances will cloud your property’s exterior, effectively making it less beautiful than it’s supposed to be.
If you don’t pressure wash your property’s exterior once per year, you risk a number of negative consequences. This goes beyond your home or business’s overall appearance. In fact, surfaces will be at greater risk of becoming damaged when debris is present. That’s because particles of debris grind against surfaces and erode them. Surface debris even attracts pests such as ants and termites, encouraging them to feed and multiply!
Mistake #2: Not Clearing Areas Before Cleaning Them
So, you want to pressure wash a surface. If so, you’ll want to make sure to clear the area before you begin any work. There are a few important reasons for this. Firstly, you won’t be able to pressure wash surfaces if there are objects in the way. Additionally, these objects could become damaged if they are sprayed with pressurized water. That’s why it’s so important to move them ahead of time—so you don’t have to spend money to replace them later.
What if there are flower beds and gardens near the surfaces you need to clean? It’s not like you can pick up these parts of your landscape and relocate them. To protect them, we recommend covering them with tarps or drop cloths. That way, they will be spared the wrath of any overspray.
Mistake #3: Using Incorrect Water Pressure
No two pressure washing projects are exactly the same. Because of this, you’ll need to make sure you are using the correct technique for your unique project. More specifically, you’ll have to use an appropriate amount of water pressure. Use too little, and you risk suboptimal results; use too much, and you risk damaging the surface. So, how much pressure washing should you use? We’ve included a helpful guide for your reference:
- Hardwood decks: 500–1200 PSI
- Stucco: 1200–1500 PSI
- Vinyl siding: 1300–1600 PSI
- Metal fences: 1500–2500 PSI
- Concrete driveways: 2500–3000 PSI
If you don’t see your project described here, a little research on the web won’t hurt. There are many qualified sources out there who can break down the best practices for every individual material for you.
Mistake #4: Ignoring Safety Best Practices
Your safety is a top priority, and it’s no different when it comes to pressure washing. So make sure you take care of yourself when handling pressure washing equipment. Wear protective equipment, including goggles, gloves, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes. Additionally, remember to treat a pressure washing hose the same way you would treat a gun. Don’t aim it at anything you don’t intend to pressure wash. You especially don’t want to aim it at yourself!
The safety of your property is important, too. We recommend that you always test pressurized water on an inconspicuous part of the surface. That way, you can see if it reacts negatively and adjust your pressure washer’s settings accordingly. Once everything is working as intended, proceed to pressure wash the surface in its entirety.
Mistake #5: Skipping Stubborn Stains
You might discover stubborn stains on your surfaces at some point during your project. When this happens, it’s possible that you will be tempted to ignore these stains. However, the point of pressure washing is to improve your property’s appearance. If you are skipping over messes just because they are tough, you are resigning yourself to suboptimal results. Don’t fall into this trap! Instead, rely on the power of cleaning solutions to weaken these tough stains and ensure stunning results at the end of your appointment.
First, apply a thin layer of your cleaning solution of choice to the afflicted surface. (At California Pressure Washer, we prefer using sodium hypochlorite, the same chemical that bleach is made of.) Next, wait fifteen minutes for debris to be broken down. Finally, pressure wash the area, and you should find that stains that were once too stubborn to wash away now disappear in a flash.
Avoid Common Pressure Washing Mistakes With Professional Services
Common pressure washing mistakes lie in wait, and they’re ready for you to stumble into their traps. Don’t let this happen. Instead, reach out to a professional pressure washing business, and you won’t have to worry about accidentally causing yourself trouble and frustration. Spend your time however you want, and all the while, a crew of experts will pressure wash your property’s exterior surfaces to your liking!
California Pressure Washing is ready to serve you, and for a fair price, too. To request a free cost estimate, contact us online and let us know about your pressure washing project. Then, if you like our asking price, pick a time and date for our arrival. We look forward to serving you in the near future.
