Are you planning to pressure wash your property’s exterior in the near future? If so, you’ll need to learn the best techniques for the job. Out of all the possible methods you could use, pressure washing is the most effective. However, pressure washing isn’t necessarily friendly to first-timers. Because of this, there are many common pressure washing mistakes you’ll make if you don’t prepare yourself accordingly. In this blog, we’ll discuss these mistakes—that way, you can avoid them entirely and save yourself frustration and headaches.
Need professional services? If so, reach out to Froggy Softwash. We are a locally owned and operated business in Savannah, GA, and it would be our pleasure to serve you. Just give us a call if you need to schedule an appointment.
Mistake #1: Skipping Pressure Washing Altogether
Out of all the common pressure washing mistakes, the biggest of them all is skipping pressure washing outright. You might feel like your surfaces don’t need to be cleaned, but don’t be fooled. Your property’s exterior surfaces are constantly gathering debris. If you don’t pressure wash these surfaces, debris will only continue piling up. This eventually leads to a visibly filthy home or business, which you definitely won’t appreciate.
We highly recommend that you have your property pressure washed once per year. Has it already been a year since its exterior was last cleaned? If so, it’s time to take action. Either plan to do your own pressure washing or schedule an appointment with Froggy Softwash soon.
Mistake #2: Forgetting the Necessary Equipment
If you want to pressure wash your property’s exterior, you’ll need to gather the necessary equipment first. Otherwise, you won’t have what you need to complete the work, and this is obviously a disaster waiting to happen.
First and foremost, you’ll need a pressure washer. This unique piece of machinery connects to a water source, pressurizes the water, and expels it through a connecting hose. This is what makes pressure washing possible! Pressurized water is strong enough to remove debris from your exterior surfaces. That’s why pressure washing is trusted by property owners all across the world.
In addition to a pressure washer, you’ll also need a basic pressure washing detergent, a more powerful cleaning solution like sodium hypochlorite, and finally, protective equipment. (This includes gloves, goggles, and closed-toe shoes.)
Mistake #3: Not Preparing the Area First
After purchasing the necessary pressure washing equipment, you may want to start spraying immediately. However, show some restraint because this would be one of those common pressure washing mistakes. Before you can take on a pressure washing project, you’ll need to prepare the area for the work. The question is, though, what do these preparations entail?
First, you’ll need to move any items off those surfaces. For example, outdoor furniture, decorations, grills, and other objects will need to be temporarily relocated. That way, they aren’t damaged by pressurized water. Plus, it also removes obstacles from the area, preventing them from getting in the way of your work.
We also recommend sweeping surfaces before pressure washing them. By doing this, you will remove large pieces of debris from the area. Pebbles and gravel get in the way of your work; sweeping ahead of time ensures higher-quality results.
Mistake #4: Choosing the Wrong Water Pressure Setting
Don’t assume that pressure washing uses the same amount of water pressure no matter what you clean. In fact, you’ll need to adjust how much water pressure you use depending on the surface or material you are working with. We have included a simple guide for your convenience. See just how widely water pressure settings can change.
- Softwood: 500–1,000 PSI
- Hardwood: 1,000–1,500 PSI
- Asphalt: 1,000–1,500 PSI
- Metal: 1,500–2,000 PSI
- Concrete: 2,500–3,000 PSI
If you don’t see the surface or material you are planning to clean on this list, consult your preferred search engine.
Mistake #5: Using Inconsistent Techniques
When the time finally comes for pressure washing, you’ll need to make sure you use consistent techniques. If you pressure wash surfaces in a random pattern, you’ll have a difficult time keeping up with what you have cleaned and what you haven’t. Because of this, we recommend washing your surfaces in an orderly, row-by-row manner. With this gridlike pattern, you’ll easily be able to tell which areas have been pressure washed and which ones haven’t.
Maintain consistency during your pressure washing project and transform your property’s exterior for the better. You and your neighbors will love the final results!
Other DIY Pressure Washing Difficulties
The common pressure washing mistakes we listed above are only the tip of the iceberg. During your DIY pressure washing project, you’ll face a wide variety of additional challenges, including the following:
- Time and energy consumption: If you plan to DIY, expect to dedicate a lot of time and energy to the project. Your schedule may or may not allow for this.
- Demanding physical labor: Restoring your property’s exterior involves a significant amount of manual labor. You can very easily become fatigued as a result.
- Stubborn stains and grime: When encountering tough stains on your surfaces, you’ll struggle to remove them, potentially requiring chemical treatment (sodium hypochlorite).
To avoid all common pressure washing mistakes effortlessly, schedule an appointment with a professional business. For example, Froggy Softwash will happily restore your property’s exterior surfaces for a reasonable price.
Schedule Service From Froggy Softwash
Our team of fully trained professionals will help you steer clear of all common pressure washing mistakes. After all, you can’t make any mistakes if you’re not the one doing the work. Simply contact us online with information about your project to receive a free cost estimate. If you like our price, choose a time and date for your appointment, and we will be there soon to serve you.
We look forward to lending you a helping hand! Froggy Softwash will completely revitalize your property’s exterior surfaces, giving your home or business a new lease on life.
