Tips for Pressure Washing Your Home

The elements can wreak havoc on the exterioronly can the ladder or platform become slippery
of your home and diminish its appearance. Whenwhen wet, the ground underneath can become
you are preparing for spring cleaning, don’tunstable due to the added moisture and cause an
forget about getting out the pressure washer andunexpected shifting of the ladder that could cause
giving the siding on your home a good cleaning.you to lose your balance and fall. Buy extension
This will not only restore its appearance, butwands for your pressure washer to extend your
removing minerals, dirt, debris, mildew, andreach to clean higher areas.
pollutants protects it from the harmful affectsThe force of the pressure propelling water from
that elements can cause to siding, helping it to lastyour pressure washer can also cause you to lose
longer.your balance. The pressure is controlled by the
Personal safety and protecting siding and othernozzle, open it gradually, letting yourself become
items from damage should always be a mainadjusted and sure of your footing before opening
concern when using pressure washers. Yourit further and increasing the amount of pressure
pressure washer came with a users guide, read itbeing released.
thoroughly before using the pressure washer toYou need to protect your property from damage
learn how to use it safely.that can be caused by the high pressure of a
Small twigs and branches, rocks and small objectspressure washer. Inspect your siding for loose or
can become sharp, dangerous, and airbornedamaged panels before using a pressure washer
projectiles when hit by a pressure washer andto clean it. Panels that are loose, bent, or torn can
cause serious injuries. These should be removedbe ripped off by a pressure washer causing
beforehand to prevent accidents and seriousfurther damage to your siding and increasing the
injuries.cost of repairs. Always maintain a distance of 6
You should be properly clothed whenever using ato 8 inches from siding and other objects you are
pressure washer. This includes shoes with rubbercleaning with a pressure washer to prevent
soles to prevent slipping on wet surfaces, and acausing damage to them.
long sleeved shirt and jeans or slacks to protectStorm windows should be removed prior to
the body should any debris strike you. Safetycleaning your siding because they can become
glasses to protect your eyes are a must whenloose and fall off and break during cleaning. The
using a pressure washer a well.pressure washers recommended for washing
Never point the nozzle of the pressure washer atyour home with are not ideal for washing storm
your face or at others. If your pressure washerwindows with, even when well secured. The
becomes clogged, keep it pointed away from youhigher pressure can take the paint of window trim
as you try to dislodge whatever is causing it toand cause the wood to splinter. Use a smaller
be clogged. If you cannot unclog it, turn yourpressure washer to clean storm windows and
pressure washer off before inspecting the nozzlesimilar small objects.
and hose for obstructions and removing them.It is a good idea to clear your gutters of debris
Children and pets should never be in the samebefore cleaning your siding so that the debris is
area in which a pressure washer is being used duenot blown out by the pressure washer and create
to the risk of serious injury that a pressurea disgusting mess scattered on the ground below
washer presents. The pressure of the water canfor you to have to pick up. Worse still, the debris
cause burn like injuries and even remove layerscould fall on you and hurt you. Dirt sprayed on
of skin. The full pressure of the water hittingyour siding from your gutters will turn to mud and
someone in the eye can cause serious eye injurycause you to have to clean your siding twice.
and even damage that cannot be repaired andIf you live in an area where mildew buildup on
blindness. Children should be taught to stay awayyour siding is common, you may need to use
from pressure washers and to never play withcleaners specifically made for mildew removal with
them. A pressure washer should be stored whereyour pressure washer. Check your user’s
children cannot get to them and turn them on andguide to ensure that a specific cleaner is safe to
risk hurting themselves with.use with your specific model of pressure washer.
You should never stand on a ladder or makeshiftMany pressure washers can be used with certain
platform to clean a two story home or tall buildingdetergents that provide even more cleaning
on your property with a pressure washer. Notpower for a lasting clean.