Top Uses for a Pressure Washer
Pressure washers are used in commercial, industrial, residential, and other settings to clean a variety of objects, structures, and surfaces easier. There is of course a huge difference between the amount of pressure, area of coverage, and distance that water can be projected from in industrial or commercial models of pressure washer, versus those made to be used at home.
Industrial and commercial pressure washers are used in factories to clean large machines, loading docks and concrete flooring, and used to clean many large structures, commercial buildings, parking lots, and a number of other things that are hard and even impracticable to clean with the average water hose.
High powered industrial pressure washers can loosen and remove ingrained grease, oil, metal fragments and debris from large porous surfaces areas, better and quicker than you could with water hoses and scrub brushes. Many city street departments use pressure washers to easily remove graffiti from bridges, building walls, sidewalks, and signs in their communities.
Residential pressure washers are available in small, medium, and large sizes, numerous colors, and vary in the features they offer. Pressure washers are either powered by electric or gas fed motors. Electric models are lighter in weight and often cost less, but they are also less powerful and often don’t clean as well as the gas powered models can.
On the other hand, gas powered pressure washers are heavier than electric powered units, making it more of a chore to move them around to continue cleaning with and they do release a regulated amount of pollution into the environment. If lightweight, compact, eco-friendly models are more appealing to you, consider electric powered pressure washers. If the job is a big one, a gas powered pressure washer is usually the better choice.
There are many practical uses for a pressure washer around your home, which is why they have become such a popular item to own. A pressure washer can provide you with up to 50 times more pressure to clean with than your garden hose. The size, included features, and powering source that is the right choice in pressure washer for you depends on what you will using it to clean the most. It also matters if you only intend to use your pressure washer to keep dirt rinsed off outdoor fixtures, surfaces, and things like bikes and furniture, or you need a pressure washer capable of cleaning away stubborn grime and mildew.
Small pressure washers work just fine for cleaning items like small pieces of outdoor tables, chairs, and loungers, or bikes, bird baths,, windows, and garden decorations. But a larger pressure washer is needed for washing cars, trucks, RV’s, fountains, driveways, sidewalks, and the siding on your home. Trying to use a small pressure washer for bigger cleaning jobs strains the capacity of the pressure washers motor, and is more likely to damage your pressure washer.
Alternatively, you don’t want to use a large pressure washer for small jobs because the added pressure provided by larger pressure washers can strip the paint off, cause cracking and other damage to small items.
For removing stubborn grime, mildew, and rust from fixtures and structures, you will want to choose a pressure washer model that includes a detergent tank for convenience. This makes it easier to apply detergent to the dirty area to aid in softening imbedded dirt and grime for removal. You will also want to choose a pressure washer with adjustable nozzle settings and even attachments like scrubber wands that can be added to the nozzle for even more power to scrub away stubborn stains.
Pressure washers can be dangerous and care should be taken to protect yourself and other people and pets in the area whenever you are operating a pressure washer. You should always follow the manufactures guidelines for the safe use of your pressure washer. You should also remember that the surface you are standing on can become slippery when it gets wet, so you need to wear proper shoes to prevent slipping and falling.
Goggles are also recommended to prevent debris from flying into and injuring your eyes. Look over the area before using your pressure washer and remove debris and other things that could become dangerous projectiles when pressurized water is applied to the area.
Small electric pressure washers and small gas powered pressure washers can be found at affordable prices. The internet is a good tool to use to compare a variety of pressure washer models before you decide which one to buy. Online you will find many useful reviews of pressure washers to help make your decision easier and you are not likely to find as much information like this in your local stores.
Clean Your Homes Siding With A Pressure Washer
Pressure washing which is also referred to as power washing is the best way to clean your house of mold and mildew. It is also a must to prep your home for painting and other projects. Basically pressure washing a house’s exterior will clean dirt and build up from the atmosphere off your siding material. One thing to be careful about is when pressure washing a house is not the same as a drive way. Only low pressure (around 300 psi) should be used. A high pressure spray will damage the siding material. Your first question to a pressure washing contractor should be ‘what pressure do you clean with’. If they use high pressure (more than 300 psi), drop them like a hot potato! If you will be doing the job yourself, be sure your pressure washing unit has a house wash tip with it. If you plan on getting a new coat of paint on your house, it is essential to get the house washed. This will create a clean foundation for the paint to adhere to. Pressure washing a house is safe for almost all siding products like metal, vinyl, brick and hardy plank. Again this only applied to low pressure techniques. High pressure on brick and mortar will most likely damage it. Vinyl siding is also easily damaged if care is not taken. If your house has wood siding then low pressure cleaning will also keep it looking good. To clean the house a mixture of cleaning agents is mixed into the water that is sprayed onto the house. After sitting for a few minutes it is then rinsed off. For moldy siding a mix of bleach is an excellent cleaner. For wood special detergents are needed that will not damage wood fibers. If you are just needing a general cleaning then an all purpose house wash mix will be used to remove the grime that has built up on your house over time. Most of these cleaners can be found at local home improvement or pressure washing stores. To get started you will need to find a local rental place and obtain the proper size unit. I suggest a quality brand such as a Karcher power washer. Since you will be using low pressure to clean your house a unit of around 3000-3500 psi will be more than enough. The only reason to have this much pressure is to reach the high eves of a second story house. How do you get low pressure out of 3000 psi ? You need to use a special tip on the wand, sometimes called a house wash tip. It has a large hole which creates a lower pressure stream but with more volume. This will bring the psi down to around 300 psi. To mix in the cleaning material the unit should have a ‘down streaming’ function. This is a small hose you put into a bucket of cleaning solution. When you start up the unit a vacuum is created that will draw up the solution and mix it with the water as it comes out the hose. This usually creates a mixture of around 5-1 or 7-1. You will need to read the cleaning solutions directions to be sure you are using the correct amount of solution. The best way to actually clean your house is to start at a corner. Slowly work your way across to the other end of the house. As you go spray the stream of water down at the bottom of the house and work your way up to the eves of the roof. Always work from the bottom up, this will reduce the chance for streaks to appear. Be sure to saturate every inch of the side you are working on. If you do not then you will have spots where the bleach and cleaner did not touch. Once you get to the end of the house you will need to pull the ‘down streaming’ hose out of the cleaning solution bucket and go back over the side of the house again, this time with only clean water coming out the hose. Thoroughly rinse the siding. You should now be done with that side of the house. Put the ‘down streaming’ house back into the solution bucket and begin the next side of the house. Start with the nozzle about 3 feet from the wall and work your way closer until you feel the spray is strong enough but not too strong. Never get closer than 12 inches from the siding or you may damage it; do not point it at windows and avoid aiming it upward, where it might drive water under the siding. Remember, this is extremely high pressure, so never point the nozzle at anyone and be sure to wear safety glasses. Also keep the wand, the water, and yourself away from any electrical wires or devices. Protect any plants, light fixtures, or other breakable objects around the house with plastic bags, duct tape, and drop cloths. Move obstacles and outdoor furniture away from the house. A pressure washing unit is no toy. Be sure to wear safety glasses and do not underestimate the power of water. Never point the wand at anyone at any time. Power washing is the best way to clean your home hands down. If you decide to buy your own unit check out a Husky pressure washer or other name brand. Cleaning your house with a pressure washer is not very hard and will result in a nice shiny house you will be proud of.
Awnings Cleaning with Pressure Washer
Awnings are beautiful and can make such a difference on any building. Besides the fact that they add a touch of professionalism and welcome to your business they also provide a purpose as well. They can keep the blinding afternoon sun out but they can also add a bit of shelter if a client happens to be waiting for a ride in the rain. There are so many types of blinds available today for both residences and for commercial purposes. If you own awnings then you already know that without the proper care and awning cleaning your awnings will go from sheik to drab in no time. The only way to really clean your awnings is by way of pressure washing. Whether you live in a home with awnings, own an awning cleaning business, or own a business that happens to have awnings, power washing is really the only answer for meeting your cleaning needs. Usually it is the elements and the weather that will age your awnings quicker than anything. Awnings get dirty grime that almost laminates them and without the proper awning cleaning it really is impossible to remove. Once these films deposit they are nearly impossible to remove. Have you noticed any stains on your awnings, if so, awning cleaning by way of power washing is the only remedy for that. While you can conduct your awning cleaning yourself you will need certain things in order to accomplish the task such as the correct detergents and chemicals. This will be dependent on the material of your awnings. You will also need the power washer and possible attachments, depending on the style that you have. There are plenty of companies that offer this service if it seems too time consuming for you or if you are unable to do it. They will use the same materials that have been mentioned to perform your awning cleanings and fees for this service are competitive, so shop around. Make sure though that who ever completes this task also pays attention to the underside of the awnings. They are just as important as the tops. After the job is complete there are preventative measures that can be taken to ensure that your awnings don’t need to be cleaned quite as often. Check out having them sealed, waterproofed, UV protected or any other measure that may be available as part of your awning cleaning service. Make sure that your awnings get cleaned after business hours and if you happen to hire an outside company to do the job, keep in mind that often referrals will save you money in the future. It is fairly standard that fabric awnings should be cleaned two or three times per year and vinyl a bit more. Metal awnings only need to be cleaned about twice a year. Pressure washers are a great time saver for all kinds of cleaning. Cleaning awnings can be a very lucrative opportunity. Starting this type of business is one of the best marketable business ideas you could invest in.
8 Tips For Hiring A Power Washer
We all want to make the right buying decision when making a purchase on anything and hiring a contractor is no different. Your home is your largest investment and you aren’t going to trust just anybody when it comes to home improvements. When hiring a power washer you need to be sure you are dealing with a reputable and professional company.
Allowing an inexperienced contractor pressure wash your home, roof, deck, or concrete can end up causing you more troubles than it’s worth. The more information you can get on a particular power washing company the better. Making an informed and intelligent decision when hiring a power washer can be made easier by following these simple guidelines.
1. Always be sure to ask for proof of insurance. A power washer being operated by an inexperienced contractor can result in damage to your property. Also in the case of an accident or injury you don’t want to be liable for anything.
2. Be sure to ask for references or past customer testimonials. If their customers are not saying good things about them how can you expect great results?
3. Ask the power washing contractor if they guarantee their work and if they do ask if they can put it in writing on the estimate sheet. A quality pressure washing company will not have anything to hide so it shouldn’t be a problem. Be sure it’s a 100% satisfaction guarantee in case you are not happy with the work.
4. Don’t be afraid to research some of the methods and techniques used by a power washer and then ask the contractor what their methods are. A company that knows what they are doing will only use contractor grade cleaners, and low or soft pressure to wash vinyl, wood, and roofs. Anything much more than 1000 pounds per square inch of water pressure can damage these surfaces very easily. Just remember that only garden hose pressure should be used on roofs, 1000psi or less on wood, and 500psi or so on vinyl or else water can be forced underneath the bottom lip and behind the siding.
5. Ask the contractor if his company power washes full time. A company that does this type of service for a living is probably a lot more professional and serious about it than a part time or weekend warrior type of contractor. Part time may be a sign of a fly-by-night company or one that is new and just starting to test the waters. You may not want a company like that testing methods on your home.
6. Be aware of crafty marketing claims. A common one in this industry is the “hot water” claim. Hot water is most commonly used for commercial pressure washing. It is not necessary and can be damaging in residential work. You never want to use hot water on any wood surface because it will splinter and cause the wood to fur.
Never use hot water on your shingle roof because it can soften the shingles and wash away excessive amounts of shingle granules (the small gritty particles that cover your shingles and help to protect them). Hot water can also warp your vinyl siding resulting in permanent damage. The bottom line is hot water should not be used in most residential type services. An experienced power washer can achieve exceptional results using cold water and the right cleaners and methods without the risk of damage. The hot water claim is just a marketing gimmick.
7. Be leery of an unbelievable low price. We are all tempted by a low price because we want to work within a budget. But some contractors use low pressure washing prices as the bait in order to land a job. They are hoping you are basing your buying decision on price alone and if they are the cheapest, they will get the job.
8. Unfortunately once they get the job they have to take shortcuts in order to make a profit. Professional power washing is not as cheap as some unethical power washers would like you to believe. Make sure you are paying for the level of quality you expect.
Follow these few simple guidelines to make an informed and intelligent decision when choosing a power washer for your exterior cleaning needs. You’ll be more relaxed and at ease knowing you’ve hired a professional to clean up your largest investment.
Enhance Your Power Washing Business With Pressure Washer Accessories
Once you’ve made the initial investment of a good, powerful pressure washer it will benefit you to take some time to explore all of the pressure washer accessories available. Pressure washer accessories can optimize the list of services you can offer customers and put you ahead of your competitors. Pressure washer accessories, such as GFCI cords and plugs, brass couplings, hose restrictors, good pressure gauges, winterizing kits, battery boxes, unloader valves can extend the life of your existing equipment. They can also just simply make your job easier and more professional looking. To expand the list of services you offer, consider adding a sand blaster (medium to heavy duty equipment is available) or sewer jetter (can clean pipes and tubes from 1” –6” in diameter) to your system. Chemical injectors are a necessity when you need the extra cleaning power of chemicals. There are high or low-pressure chemical kits with adjustable chemical injectors. There are metering valves, nozzles for distance or maximum pressure, and systems that save your pump, lance, hose and gun by having the chemicals by-pass them. Add the service of duct cleaning to your repertoire, and shine above the competition even more. Made to be corrosion-resistant and with self-lubricating bearings, the Swiss made carbide swivel duct cleaner is one great pressure washer accessory. Working with hot or cold water, duct cleaners clean any kind of duct, vent, chimney, or chute. And don’t forget the market for cleaning restaurant hoods and trash chutes and even kegs and barrels. Some surfaces can be cleaned with pressure and cold water alone, but many cleaning jobs will go faster with (and some downright require), hot water. If you don’t yet have the power of hot water, it should be one of your next pressure washer accessories. There are many types to choose from that can be added to existing cold water pressure units. If you want to help the environment, there is another good pressure washer accessory to help you do so. The “wash water filter system” protects the environment by re-using wash water that has been filtered. When power washing floors, driveways, or any flat surface, this system harbors, collects, and then filters the dirty water. Using portable dams and drain covers, and a closed vacuum, state-of-the-art filter, and holding tank system, this wash water filter set-up makes sense economically and environmentally too. For ease, comfort, and professionalism, there are pressure washer accessories such as foot valves (lets you operate the pump from a distance), extension wands and brush attachments, carts, skids, hose reels, magnetic starters, and so much more they are hard to list here. It will benefit the pressure washer owner to know of the many accessories available and their applications. For instance, by checking out the accessories available, you would learn that simply adding a rotary nozzle would increase cleaning power and efficiency for large, flat surfaces. A rotary nozzle uses centrifugal force and is 200% more efficient than a 25° flat fan nozzle. Rotary nozzles come in small (2,500 psi), medium (3,000 psi), large (4,350 psi) and extra large (5,000 psi), and there is a stainless steel, super-heavy-duty (7,350 psi) rotary nozzle. Of course, the pressure washer accessories list includes replacement parts—from engines and pumps (and parts for them), through to tires for hose reels and hardware for all mechanisms.
