Washing for ultimate cleanliness

Power washing are mainly used for heavy duty cleaning on hard surfaces like vinyl siding, concrete, or stone. With the facility to control the pressure, this device removes all kinds of stubborn stains, dust, grease, grime and oil marks. Power washers may be electric, hydraulic, diesel-based or gasoline-based, hot or cold.

Domestic Use of Power Washers

Power washing your house every year with a high-pressure water spray keeps it looking good and also cuts the expense of repainting as often. Power washing aluminum, steel, vinyl or wood siding removes grit that grinds away the surface like sandpaper, when it is agitated by wind or rain. If you own a brick home, however, be cautious, as some types of brick, especially older brick, will crumble if a power wash is applied. Power washing is also a good way to prepare a house's surface for repainting. Before repainting, a thorough power washing removes not only dirt, mildew and moss but also helps in peeling, flaking and chalking paint. You can easily wash even a large house in a single day with a power washer.

The Safety Measures

While using a power washing device, certain safety measures need to be observed to avoid accidents:

You should always wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from splash back or accidental direct spray. Make sure all windows are closed tightly, always turn off the power to light fixtures and electrical outlets at your home's main service panel and cover them with plastic bags or film secured with duct tape, place drop cloths over plants and shrubs and move your lawn furniture away. However, do not wash on a windy day.

Keep the nozzle of the power washing device 10 to 12 inches from the surface, at about a 45-degree angle, use extra caution when cleaning aluminum or steel siding as power washing devices can bend sections and even blow them right off the house. Avoid not spraying on the windows directly, Do not spray under the laps of horizontal siding as it can lift them, don't spray directly into crawl spaces or gable-end vents.

Do not allow children to operate a power washing device. While operating the device, never put your hand near the tip of the wand or aim it at a person or animal because the water may cause severe injury.

How to select a power washing device?

You can choose from a wide range of power washing devices according to your need and choice. For washing your car once or twice in a month, you may spend only $80 to get one although it will not be much durable. For the purpose of washing your house and car both, a device worth $180 to $250 will be fine. You will also get a gasoline unit by spending $250 to $350.