A Clean House Is a Healthy HouseA Clean House Is a Healthy House

Pressure washing is a great way to clean almost all surfaces on the exterior of your home, from your siding to your driveway. The water rinses away grime, without you having to scrub or wipe anything. But while pressure washing is effective, it is not foolproof. Here are some tips to make sure your pressure washing endeavors are as effective as possible.

Use an adjustable pressure washer.

Some less-expensive pressure washers only shoot the water out at one pressure. While these models will work in a pinch, you are far better off with a model that allows you to adjust the pressure. You can use the lower pressure on delicate surfaces, like vinyl siding and windows frames, and the higher pressure on tough surfaces, like concrete and asphalt. 

Hold the pressure washer at an angle.

If you shoot the water straight at the surface you are cleaning, water will bounce off the surface in every direction, and you may not get a very clean surface. For better results, hold the pressure washer in a way that aims the water downward at about a 45-degree angle to the surface. Sweep back and forth, as you move across the surface. If cleaning a vertical surface, such as the side of your home, always clean from the top to the bottom.

Use the right detergent.

You can certainly clean most surfaces with just water, but to remove more serious grime, you'll want to use a detergent. You can add the detergent to the compartment on the pressure washer, and it will come out pre-mixed with the water. What you need to be careful of is that you use the right detergent for the job. Otherwise, you risk damaging the finish on the surface you're cleaning or getting less-than-desirable results. You can find specialized detergents for everything from concrete to aluminum siding.

Have a friend present.

This tip is more for your own safety than for the benefit of the surface you're washing. There is a lot that can go wrong when you are using a pressure washer, especially if you stand on a ladder while doing so. Make sure you have a friend present, just in case something goes wrong. Have that friend hold your ladder or hand you items, so you do not have to let go. They can also help point out spots that you missed, allowing you to do a more thorough job.

For more information, talk to companies like J & A Steam Cleaning-Waste Water Recovery.