Are you thinking about doing your own pressure washing? If so, don’t go into the process thinking it will be a walk in the park. You may wind up sorely disappointed. In fact, there are many challenges of pressure washing that you will have to overcome during your DIY process. Instead of discovering and trying to solve these problems blindly, read through this blog! We’ll teach you about the challenges of pressure washing, as well as real strategies you can use to make sure your pressure washing process isn’t brought to a screeching halt.
We are Alpha Exterior Cleaning Services, and we proudly provide pressure washing services to the Sherwood, OR community. Rely on our experience, and if you ever need professional pressure washing, simply contact us and schedule an appointment.
Challenge #1: Finding Time For the Work
If you are planning to do your own pressure washing, you’ll have to find time for the work. This is easier said than done, especially if you have a busy schedule. Working a full-time job can make DIY pressure washing feel like an impossible task. Add a slew of chores, errands, and responsibilities to it all, and suddenly, you’re struggling to find an hour to dedicate to pressure washing—much less five or six.
If you are going to do your own pressure washing, we highly recommend that you dedicate a day to the work. While the work might not take you all day, you don’t want to be in a position where you feel like you have to rush. This will compromise the quality of the final results.
Challenge #2: Purchasing and Using Equipment
Another one of the challenges of pressure washing is acquiring the necessary equipment. Pressure washing requires a specific set of tools. For example, you’ll need a pressure washer. This specialized piece of machinery connects to a water source and pressurizes water, making pressure washing possible. In addition to a pressure washer, you’ll also need:
- Attaching hose and nozzle
- Pressure washing detergent
- Cleaning solutions (e.g., sodium hypochlorite)
- Safety gear (gloves, goggles, closed-toe shoes)
It’s not enough to simply buy this equipment. You also have to learn how to use it. The careless use of pressure washing equipment could result in damaged surfaces or even injury. Make sure you know what you’re doing ahead of time—don’t rush into the pressure washing process!
Challenge #3: Using the Correct Water Pressure Setting
If you want to pressure wash your property’s exterior surfaces, you will need to use an appropriate amount of water pressure. Determining the correct setting is easier said than done, though. It isn’t a one-size-fits-all sort of thing. Different materials require different approaches. We have included a few examples of surfaces and how much water pressure they should be cleaned with below:
- Softwood: 500–1,000 PSI
- Hardwood: 1,000–1,500 PSI
- Asphalt: 1,000–1,500 PSI
- Metal: 1,500–3,000 PSI
- Concrete: 3,000–3,500 PSI
We highly recommend testing your pressure washer before committing to a full project. Simply find an inconspicuous area where you can safely spray. That way, you can see if the material negatively reacts to pressurized water. Don’t see any problems? Good—then you can proceed with the whole pressure washing process.
Challenge #4: Uneven Cleaning Techniques
One of the challenges of pressure washing is cleaning your surfaces evenly. If you pressure wash your surfaces aimlessly, you can easily lose track of what you’ve already cleaned and what you still need to wash. We highly recommend washing surfaces in a gridlike, row-by-row pattern. This makes it easy for you to keep up with your progress. Be sure to overlap each pass to ensure no surface area goes unwashed!
We also recommend remaining a consistent distance away from the surfaces you are washing, too. Stay about a foot and a half or two feet away. This is important because your distance from the surfaces affects the strength of the pressure washing—and that, in turn, affects the quality of the results.
Challenge #5: Defeating Stubborn Debris
Finally, you’ll need a strategy in place for when you’re faced with stubborn debris. Unfortunately, not all grime will simply wash away. Sometimes, it will put up a fight, and basic pressure washing techniques won’t be enough to remove it. This is especially true in the case of:
- Moss, Mold, and Algae
- Mineral Deposits
- Oil and Grease Stains
The secret to defeating this debris is the use of specialized cleaning solutions. For example, at Alpha Exterior Cleaning Services, we use sodium hypochlorite to break down stubborn grime. You can do the exact same thing. Simply apply a thin layer of this cleaning solution to the dirty areas. Then, wait fifteen minutes for debris to be broken down. Finally, pressure wash the area, and all that grime should easily wash away now.
DIY or Professional Pressure Washing?
As you have learned in this blog, there are many challenges of pressure washing. Learning to overcome them all will require time, energy, and patience. Make no mistake about it—DIY pressure washing is a viable option. However, it might not be the right solution for you, so if you don’t want to do your own pressure washing for whatever reason, reach out to Alpha Exterior Cleaning Services. It would be our pleasure to serve you!
With professional pressure washing, you won’t have to do any of the work. Simply take some time to relax while our experts clean your property for you. We’ll happily restore your property’s exterior for a reasonable price.
Cost of Pressure Washing Services
How much can you expect to pay for our pressure washing? What you’ll owe is based on the size of your project. There are no hidden fees or surcharges, and we would be happy to provide you with a free cost estimate upon request. All you have to do is reach out to us with details about your appointment.
To get started, contact us online and let us know how we can help you! We look forward to hearing from you and pressure washing your property so it looks its best again.
