How To Properly Power Wash Your Home’s Exterior Before Painting
When it comes to getting your house ready for a paint job, pressure washing the exterior of your home is one of the most critical steps you can take. This is because any paint applied is most likely to fall off very soon if the dirt on the exterior surfaces of the house is not removed. Just as the name implies, pressure washing is an effective way of getting rid of any old paint, mildew, dust and dirt by use of water under high pressure, although the higher the pressure does not equal better. What you are looking for is high gpm’s (gallons per minute) & to set your power washer at a lower psi.
Depending on the contractor whether its Columbia Brothers or not, you’ll find that some use pressure washers fueled by gas while others prefer to use electric pressure washers, Flora Brother’s Painting uses gas-powered. And while operating a pressure washer isn’t always that big of a deal, ensuring that they are operated by an experienced professional is the best way to ensure great results. It’s often than not, people are taking this job up themselves. It can cause the paint to be removed from the surface due to the high pressures coming from the commercial pressure washer. We would recommend you get someone in to do this as it could become more costly!
Buying a pressure washer
As mentioned when visiting the store to buy a new pressure washer, you want to make sure that you get one with a higher gpm, and of course, a user manual. You can also opt to rent a pressure washer, but you should know that most rentals don’t come with user manuals. When buying a pressure washer, always ask the attendant or a store manager to show you ropes on how to operate it. While there are some functions that are common
among most pressure washers such as spray gun, pressure hose, knob for adjusting the pressure of water, and spray nozzle etc, the main objective here is to learn more about the art of handling the nozzle and pressurized water.
Avoiding common problems that come with pressure washing
Like most tasks, you will most likely come across a few problems when handling pressurized water. One of the most effective ways of avoiding any of those problems is to never point the nozzle at others. Water from a pressure washer is usually expelled forcefully and has the potential harm individuals that it’s directed at. It’s also important to note that when the trigger of the pressure washer is fired, there’s usually a kickback. As such, always make sure that you have stable footing or are well supported to avoid the effect of the kickback. Also avoid pointing the pressure washer at the source of your home’s electricity i.e. the meter box, and too close to the object you are washing. This could cause major damage to your home.
PRO TIP: Never use the red tip when power washing your home or deck. Stick with the green (25 degree) or white (30 degree). If unsure, consult with the professionals over at Beam SoftWash. They’ll be able to help you with your pressure washing conundrums.
Mixing a cleaning solution
You don’t always need to mix a cleaning solution when pressure washing the exterior of your home before painting it. But if you have to mix the water with a cleaning solution, always make sure you use a product with low PH and which is eco-friendly.
If you follow these simple steps you can have a surface nice & clean and ready to paint!