How To Pressure Wash Your Home

The exterior of your house can often be something that you don't really think about...until it starts to look bad. Most experts would actually give fixed time frames on when to pressure wash your house, such as once a year or once in two years. However, we believe that there is really no fixed number of times in a year you should pressure wash your house. Rather, you should pressure wash based on the situation.

If you are going to repaint your house, it's a good time to get it clean. New paint will last longer on a clean surface. If your house looks visibly dingy or dirty, that is also a good time to clean.

1. Select Appropriate Equipment

The power of pressure washer you need depends on what material covers the exterior of your home. If it is painted wood or aluminum use a 1,200 to 1,500 psi model to prevent pressure damage. You may need a wide spray nozzle to disperse water pressure for even more vulnerable materials, like stucco.

Stronger non-painted surfaces, such as vinyl, clean better with a more powerful 2,500 to 3,000 psi model. These models work the fastest. Also, elect a pressure washer that has a detergent dispenser if you plan on use a cleaning solution.
 

2. Protect Fragile Items

Put plastic covering over light fixtures, shrubs and other ornamental plants to protect them from the spray.

3. Manually scrub reachable visible mildew.

4. Test pressure wash a house by holding the pressure washer nozzle with both hands about 3 feet from the wall. Move it in closer until you see the spray is strong enough and removing the dirt but not strong enough to cause damage.

While pressure washing, remember this tip. Start from the top and work your way down. If your house is very tall, you might want to rent a scissor lift in order to reach everything you need to clean. Spray roof overhangs, under-hangs and gutters at an approximate 45-degree angle. Move the spray steadily from side to side.

5. Rinse with a garden hose.

If you are painting, let the house dry for at least 2 days before starting to apply paint.

Jones Rental Inc. is here to help you get the necessary equipment to tackle those projects. We have pressure washers and scissor lifts available for you if you live in the Ashland, Wooster, or Shelby, Ohio areas. 

Please know during this time of health concerns that we are taking time for additional cleaning and are taking every precaution for the health and safety of staff and customers. We are proud to offer curbside services to do our part and encourage social distancing. Payment can be accepted via credit card, PayPal, or cash. Give us a call at (419) 207-8800 to learn more.