Pressure cleaning a home is all around very efficient and gets the job done. Many homeowners will pressure clean the home’s exterior to remove dirt, mildew, mold and other contaminants that make a home look dirty and even cause damages. However, each home requires its own unique washing due to the materials that are used on the home’s exterior and most importantly, its age. Aging homes require a more delicate cleaning to prevent damaging the home’s exterior. Big Moose Pressure Cleaning will share some of the basic rules when dealing with an older home and how it should be cleaned.
Avoid Damage from Pressure Washer Nozzle Being Too Close
When pressure washing older, softer materials such as wood or plastics, you never want to get too close with the pressure nozzle. Wood and other softer material often require that you clean it with a much softer touch. If the nozzle is too close to the surface, it can damage the wood. When cleaning old siding or decks, make sure you keep a safe distance away to clean the wood, or you might strip the wood of an older stain or paint. A good rule is never get closer than 12 inches to the surface area of older, softer material.
Drop the Pressure Washer PSI
On older materials that are often used around the property or on the home’s exterior, you never want to use too much pressure or PSI. Too strong of a force from a pressure cleaner can damage the surface of the material you’re cleaning. Even harder materials such as concrete that has aged and is breaking apart need a lower PSI setting. Depending on the condition of the material you’re cleaning will dictate how much pressure can also be used. Often concrete tiles on the roof, regardless of age, will get a soft wash which is a much lower pressure wash versus high pressure cleanings. When dealing with aged materials you will most often always need to drop the PSI. Never use more than 1500 PSI on older materials.
Use Long Pressure Washing Streams
When dealing with an older home and property, professionals will opt to use a wider angle nozzle. A single or narrow stream can add more pressure to a smaller more direct area. Under such a fine force, the water can cut through older materials. This is why a wider angled nozzle is better. Enough force is still used to clean the surface area but without damaging it at the same time. When cleaning older surfaces make sure to use a wide angle nozzle or tip on the pressure washer.
Pressure Washer Mold & Mildew Remover
When removing mildew, often mildew removers are used during pressure washing. For older materials, most commercial grade mildew removers are too harsh and can damage the softer surfaces. To help prevent the damage but still kill and remove the mildew, use vinegar. Vinegar is acidic enough to kill mildew but easier on aging materials. However, never use vinegar on natural stone that may have been used outside. Vinegar can get trapped in the pores of natural stone and slowly erode the stone away. For wood, concrete and other synthetic materials, vinegar will be safer to use.
Power Washing & More in McDonough, Barnesville, Fayetteville, Covington, Locust Grove, Griffin, Stockbridge, Social Circle & Jackson, Georgia
Rules of pressure washing can be hard to learn and competancy come with experience. If you have an older home and need to have it thoroughly cleaned, you can always rely on the professionals. For professional pressure cleaning services contact Big Moose Pressure Cleaning today!
