The water pressure delivered by a typical pressure washer is between 2,000 and 3,000 psi or pounds per square inch. Clearly, that’s sufficient to remove even the most baked-on grime. On the other hand, such power can also cause a lot of damage to your house or even to yourself if it’s used the wrong way. For example, never use a pressure washer to rinse off your hands as you would with a garden hose. The psi can literally rip off the skin. Here are safe ways to pressure wash your house.

Know the Right PSI for Your Siding

All siding is not alike. Some types can tolerate more powerful streams from a pressure washer than others. Vinyl siding can bear up under a pressure washer that delivers a stream as high as 3,000 psi. Other types of siding such as stucco or aluminum need a stream that’s much gentler. For more delicate types of siding, you may also want to invest in the type of spray nozzle that sprays water in a fan instead of a hard stream.

When it comes to buying or renting your pressure washer, you can choose from gas or electric. Gas pressure washers deliver more power and are more versatile since they don’t need to be plugged in.

Safety First

There are other things to consider before you use a pressure washer. For example, cover up or remove outdoor electrical outlets, lights, AC compressors, and potted plants. Use eye protection to guard against bits of debris kicked up by the pressure washer.

Avoid ladders. The very power of a pressure washer can easily knock you off one. If you have a multistory home and really need to reach the upper stories, rent a scaffold whose wheels lock and use a long wand. Never aim the spray into the mortar between bricks or in cracks in the siding. This can damage your house.

Follow Instructions

The ideal time to pressure wash your house is much like the best time to wash your windows. Pressure wash on a warmish, somewhat overcast day in the spring or fall. If you pressure wash in the height of summer, the sun may bake the cleansers before they can be rinsed away. Scrub the siding to remove or soften as much of the grime as you can, and rinse with the garden hose before turning on the pressure washer.

Before using the pressure washer you’ll need to mix water, detergent and mildewcide and pour the solution into the washer. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Rely on the Experts

If all this sounds a little intimidating and you’re concerned about causing damage, simply turn to competent professionals. When pressure washing is done the right way, it is safe and revives the beauty of your home. It might even raise the home’s value. To learn more about pressure washing or arrange for our professionals to come provide you with this service in Corvallis, OR, call us at Under Pressure today.