If your home is starting to look a little grimy – dirt and mildew deposits along the bottom edges – it's time to bring on the power washer. Giving your home a high-pressure cleaning will remove the dirt and grime. Before you pressure-clean your home, you'll need to start with a few simple steps. Here are four tips that will ensure your home gets a safe and effective power washing.
Identify the Power Lines
Before you begin spraying pressuring water around your home, you need to identify the power lines, and electrical boxes. If you're going to be cleaning in an area that has electrical outlets, or other power sources, be sure to turn the power off to your home. It's also important that you avoid spraying water towards – or near overhead power lines.
Prep the Area
If you've got bare dirt around the perimeter of your home, you'll need to cover it up before you begin the power-washing. The pressurized water can cause dirt to spray back up on your home. If that happens, you're going to be left with a bigger mess to clean up. To prevent dirt and mud backsplash, you'll need to prep the area. Cover the bare dirt with plastic landscape sheeting before you begin cleaning your home. The plastic sheeting will prevent dirt backsplash.
Pre-Treat the Grime
If you've already got dirt stains along the bottom edges of your home, you'll need to do some simple pre-treating. Pre-treating your home will make it easier to remove the dirt stains. Fill a garden sprayer with water and add ½ cup of vinegar and ¼ cup of grease-cutting dish detergent. Spray the dirt with your cleaning solution and allow it to soak in for about 30 minutes.
Start with Low-Pressure
When you begin washing your house, you need to start with the lowest pressure setting possible. Beginning with the highest setting will cause a backsplash, and could harm your exterior walls – especially if you have loose siding or stucco. To protect your home, turn the setting down to low and begin washing. Once you're comfortable with the force of the water, go ahead and turn the pressure up to the next setting.
Whether you need a clean surface for that fresh coat of paint you're planning, or your home is just looking a little dirty, use a power washer to get nice and clean. If your home is severely stained, contact a cleaning service near you. They'll remove the stains and leave your home looking brand new.
