Pressure washing is a beloved cleaning technique, and there are many good reasons for this. Not only does pressure washing improve the appearance of exterior surfaces, but it also helps them last longer. To enjoy these benefits for yourself, you’ll be tempted to pick up some pressure washing equipment and revitalize your home or business’s exterior. However, don’t rush into it. There are many common pressure washing mistakes that you might stumble into, but with the right preparations and know-how, you’ll be able to avoid them entirely.
Let’s review these mistakes together! We are Bucher Pro Wash, the home of your local professional pressure washers. And remember—if you want to avoid common pressure washing mistakes with certainty, you can always reach out to us for an appointment.
Mistake #1: Not Knowing When to Pressure Wash
One of the most common pressure washing mistakes is not pressure washing at all. Before you decide whether to pressure wash your property’s exterior surfaces, you should ask yourself: “Is this necessary?” In many cases, an inspection of these surfaces will tell you the answer. If you notice that they are visibly covered with dirt, moss, mold, algae, pollen, dead insects, bird droppings, and other unwanted substances, then yes, it’s time to pressure wash. Additionally, if it has been over a year since exterior surfaces were last cleaned, they are already overdue for additional maintenance.
What happens if you skip pressure washing even when it’s necessary? This can come back to haunt you in various ways. Of course, your property will lose curb appeal, which is annoying for homeowners and disastrous for business owners. In addition to this, surfaces can even become damaged if they are allowed to stay dirty. This will eventually lead to the need for expensive repairs, costing you valuable money. Annual pressure washing helps you save this money instead.
Mistake #2: Using the Incorrect Amount of Water Pressure
Having all the necessary pressure washing equipment isn’t enough to make your exterior surfaces clean. You’ll also need to know how much water pressure to use. It’s not a “one-size-fits-all” scenario—different materials demand different water pressure settings, and you’ll need to do your research to make sure you select the correct amount.
So, how much water pressure is necessary? We’ve included several examples of surfaces that are popular to pressure wash, as well as how much water pressure to use, below.
- Hardwood fence: 500–1,200 PSI
- Metal: 1,500–2,000 PSI
- Brick: 1,500–2,500 PSI
- Stone surfaces: 1,500–2,500 PSI
- Concrete driveway: 2,500–3,000 PSI
Mistake #3: Not Putting Your Safety First
Pressure washing isn’t to be taken lightly. This cleaning technique uses highly pressurized water to restore exterior surfaces, and this water is powerful. So powerful, in fact, that it can remove even the toughest debris from your property’s exterior with the correct preparations. Can you imagine what this water could do to your bare flesh? It wouldn’t be pretty. In fact, people who have accidentally sprayed themselves with pressurized water sometimes walk away with bruises and slices.
Don’t let this happen to yourself. Take the right precautions, and you’ll be able to avoid injury altogether! Be sure that you only point your hose at the surfaces that you intend to pressure wash. Additionally, wear safety equipment to reduce the risk of injury. We highly recommend goggles, gloves, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes. By covering your skin, you won’t be able to shoot pressurized water at it.
Mistake #4: Rushing Through Your Project
When you are pressure washing your property’s exterior, it’s important that you take your time. That’s because rushing is a surefire way to compromise the quality of the results. Why would you want to do this when the main goal of pressure washing is to restore your property’s beauty? Take your time and pressure wash surfaces in a meticulous, row-by-row manner. That way, not even a single square inch of surface area is left uncleaned.
We also recommend that you do your pressure washing project on a day when you don’t already have a lot of responsibilities. That way, you don’t find yourself in a “time crunch” where you need to zip through pressure washing just so you can make it to an appointment on time. Wait until you have a free day so you can dedicate your focus to the work.
Mistake #5: Defeating Stubborn Debris
It’s very possible that you’ll come across tough grime that won’t rinse away during your project. When this happens, what should you do? Will you give up? Surrendering when faced with this challenge is another one of those common pressure washing mistakes. Instead, you should do what it takes to conquer these stains. In many cases, this entails using cleaning solutions, such as sodium hypochlorite, to break down the grime.
To use sodium hypochlorite, apply a thin layer of it to the surface afflicted with stubborn debris. Then, wait fifteen minutes for all debris to be broken down. Finally, rinse the area with pressurized water, and you should find that all grime vanishes before your eyes. This leaves you with a visually stunning property that you and your neighbors will love.
Avoid Mistakes With Professional Services
As you’ve learned, there are many common pressure washing mistakes that will catch you off guard if you aren’t careful. Even with complete preparation, there’s no guarantee that your DIY pressure washing project will go flawlessly. To avoid the risk of making mistakes, reach out to Bucher Pro Wash. We are a locally owned and operated business, and it’s our pleasure to serve our neighbors in the Bothell, WA community.
If you are interested in what we have to offer, why not get in touch with us for a free cost estimate? Simply contact us online with information about your pressure washing project, and we’ll give you a quote. (There are no hidden fees at Bucher Pro Wash.) Then, you can choose a time and date for your appointment if you’d like. We look forward to serving you in the near future.
