Do-it-yourself pressure washing isn’t easy. If you choose to try this process for yourself, you’ll likely encounter many hurdles along the way. Avoiding errors is key to a successful project, but how are you supposed to know what to expect if you’ve never done the work before? In this blog, we’ll cover five common pressure washing mistakes—that way, you can keep an eye out for them as you work!
We’ll also show you how the Vineland, NJ professionals at Redline Exterior Cleaners help homeowners overcome these obstacles. As you’ll soon see, full-service pressure washing is a highly convenient option that is worth the investment.
Mistake #1: Not Knowing When to Pressure Wash
The most common pressure washing mistake is not knowing when to pressure wash at all. You might think that skipping pressure washing wouldn’t be a big deal. Well, think again. When your property goes without pressure washing, its surfaces become dirtier and dirtier over time. This will drastically reduce your property’s curb appeal, leaving homeowners frustrated and making it more difficult for business owners to draw in customers.
Additionally, when your property isn’t pressure washed enough, debris will eventually wear down its exterior surfaces. Over time, this will manifest as property damage (think holes, cracks, and leaks). Ultimately, this will force you to pay a significant amount of money on repairs.
How professionals help: The team at Redline Exterior Cleaners knows how often surfaces should be cleaned and will inform you of which parts of your property need attention. We highly recommend annual cleaning as a general guideline.
Mistake #2: Not Having the Right Equipment
In order to pressure wash your property, you have to know how the necessary equipment works. However, this is easier said than done. There is a lot of gear involved in this work, including the pressure washer itself, the attaching hose and nozzle, detergent, cleaning solutions, and safety gear. Learning how to use these items could take hours of practice. Note: that’s before you’ve even begun the actual DIY project.
Additionally, you’ll have to buy all these items. If they aren’t in stock at your local hardware store, you may need to order them online. This means even more time spent waiting.
How professionals help: Skip the need for shopping for and learning how to use pressure washing equipment. Redline Exterior Cleaners will bring all the necessary items—and put them to good use so you don’t have to.
Mistake #3: Using the Wrong Amount of Pressure Washing
This is important: the amount of water pressure to use during your project depends on what you’re cleaning. Using the same amount of force “across the board” is one of the many common pressure washing mistakes. For example, a painted wall can’t withstand as much water pressure as a concrete driveway. So, it’s instrumental that you know how much force to use during any specific project.
This will require some research—Google is your friend! We also recommend that you test your selected water pressure setting in an inconspicuous area before committing to the whole project. That way, you can ensure you’ve selected a safe amount of water pressure that the surface doesn’t react negatively to.
How professionals help: We’ve taken on our fair share of pressure washing projects, and we look forward to serving you, too. No matter what you need us to pressure wash, we’ll be able to figure out the correct amount of water pressure and get the job done right.
Mistake #4: Not Putting Safety First
It’s important to keep yourself safe during your pressure washing project. However, doing so requires a certain degree of focus and planning. For example, do you have safety gear on hand? This includes gloves, goggles, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes. By wearing these, you’ll ensure that your bare skin isn’t exposed, reducing the risk of pressurized water slicing or bruising your body.
It’s also important to keep your property safe. Always make sure you only wash the surfaces that you intend to clean. Don’t accidentally spray windows or other fragile parts of your property—it could cause serious damage.
How professionals help: The experts at Redline Exterior Cleaners understand the safest way to complete the work and are fully insured to boot. You can trust us to complete the work without any accidents or injuries.
Mistake #5: Failing to Ensure Quality Results
It’s one thing to know how to pressure wash. Securing quality results is another. Unfortunately, this isn’t a simple task for local DIYers. Ensuring the brightest shine for exterior surfaces is sometimes downright impossible without the use of specialized cleaning solutions, too.
We recommend that DIYers take their time to pressure wash exterior surfaces inch by inch. Additionally, we suggest the use of cleaning solutions, such as sodium hypochlorite, to break down and remove stubborn debris. Even tough moss, mold, and algae will be weakened when treated with this chemical.
How professionals help: With our experience and use of cleaning solutions, we transform even the dirtiest exterior surfaces into clean masterpieces. Rely on Redline Exterior Cleaners to complete even the toughest projects successfully.
Getting Started With Redline Exterior Cleaners
As you’ve seen in this blog, there are many common pressure washing mistakes that take DIYers by surprise. You’ll need to make the right preparations if you want your DIY project to be a success. Or, alternatively, you can reach out to Redline Exterior Cleaners for an appointment. Our pros will be happy to serve you for a fair price.
How much will our pressure washing services cost? Ultimately, that depends on the price of your project. The more surface area you need us to clean, the more the final cost will be. There are never hidden fees or surcharges.
Interested in getting started? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us online with information about your project and get a free estimate today. Then, you can choose a time and date for your appointment. We look forward to revitalizing your home or business in the very near future.