Your home is a big financial investment and the place you come to establish roots, enjoy your free time, and bond with your loved ones. Naturally, you want to keep it in the best condition possible. Pro Painters is here to remind you that your house can benefit from regular maintenance like power washing! Our team of home maintenance experts is going to give tips on and explain when is the best time to power wash your home.
Why Does Timing Matter?
The time of year matters for your power washing project! This is because of the cold weather! Freezing temperatures, below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, can damage the pumps of a pressure washer, put you at risk of hypothermia, and are less effective for cleaning.
March to September is typically the best time of the year to pressure wash your home’s exterior, but that also depends on where you live and the average temperature during your winter months.
The good news is, power washing can be done in most weather conditions, from 55 degrees to 90 degrees. It is best to do this chore when you can see what you’re doing with the help of daylight. However, you won’t want to power wash during thunderstorms or any extreme weather.
What to Know About Power Washing
Pressure washing is something you can do yourself, or you can hire a professional to take care of it for you. If you choose the former, here are some tips to keep you safe and get the job done right.
Safety Precautions
One of the first things you should know about pressure washers is that they are powerful enough to tear off skin, so always aim the nozzle away from yourself and others.
To avoid electrocution, close or cover any outdoor outlets. Be aware of power lines as you move around to avoid tripping over them or damaging them with spray.
You must wear eye protection to avoid injury from dirt, rock, wood, or anything else that may come off while you are pressure washing your home.
Never pressure wash while standing on a ladder because the washer could propel you off your ladder or backwards even with an assistant holding the ladder’s base. If you have a two-story home, you can rent a rolling, lockable-wheel scaffold to safely reach the heights you need.
Understanding the Pressure Washer
A pressure washer’s power is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). Understanding this is essential to ensure you don’t damage your home. For example, if your home’s siding is made of vinyl, brick, and steel, it can handle about 2,5000 to 3,000 psi; painted, aluminum, stucco, and soft-grain wood homes can handle 1,200 to 1,500 psi. Consult the machine’s manual to double-check how much pressure is safe to use for your project, and if you’re renting the machine, ask the agent for a demonstration of how to use the power washer correctly.
How to Power Wash
Follow these steps to wash your home’s exterior with a power washer.
- Close and seal all doors and windows. You can use plastic sheeting if they are prone to leaking, and you can use that same material to cover any shrubbery, plants, gardens, and lawn space.
- Ready the house washing solution. Mix mildewcide with water; the manufacturer should have detailed instructions on how much to include.
- Prepare the pressure washer. Turn settings to the correct pressure or, if you are using a garden hose, attach the correct nozzle. For high pressure, use a 15-degree nozzle, and for lower pressure, use a 25 or 30-degree nozzle.
- Put on your safety goggles and perform a test. It’s best to start off with a small area so you can better understand how close you need to be to effectively wash your home.
- Work from the top of your home to the bottom. It’s also helpful to work in sections. Once you have cleaned your house, you take down any plastic sheeting you used.
If you plan on painting your home after pressure washing, wait at least two days to allow the exterior to thoroughly dry.
Our Pros Know More Than Paint
To keep up with the maintenance of your home, you should pressure wash at least once a year to get rid of mold and mildew along with any other substances.Remember, generally fromMarch to September is the best time to power wash your home.
If you need assistance with pressure washing, hiring a professional power washer is a great way to take the hassle out of doing it yourself. Pro Painters knows more than just paint; we can handle power washing and most home renovation projects. Contact us today to get your free estimate!
