Are you hoping to do your own Vineland, NJ pressure washing in the near future? If so, you have your work cut out for you. You have to purchase all the necessary pressure washing gear, and you have to learn how to use it. You have to set aside time and energy to dedicate to the DIY process. And finally, you have to keep yourself safe during the work! The question is, though, how? Don’t worry because we’ll explain the core tenets of pressure washing safety in the paragraphs below.
Learn five pressure washing safety guidelines to apply to your project. Then, don’t forget that Redline Exterior Cleaners is here to help. If you feel like you can’t safely do the work on your own, we’ll handle all the necessary tasks for you.
#1: Make Sure You Are Well-Rested
Pressure washing is a highly demanding form of physical labor. Because of this, we highly recommend that you are well-rested before you begin this work. You need a lot of energy to dedicate to this process; otherwise, you won’t be able to ensure quality results. And if you’re not going to make your property as beautiful as it can possibly be, what’s the point of pressure washing it in the first place?
But that’s not all: being well-rested is an important part of pressure washing safety. When you’ve had plenty of sleep, you are naturally more attentive and more focused on your work. This means you’ll more easily avoid mistakes—and when you’re working with high-pressure jets of water, that level of caution is a must-have.
#2: Treat Pressurized Water With Care
A necessary part of pressure washing is using jets of pressurized water. However, you need to respect the sheer power of pressurized water during your work. This water is sometimes pumped to a level as high as 3,500 PSI. That’s more than 200 times the pressure of a typical car tire. In other words, jets of pressurized water shouldn’t be taken lightly—if you accidentally spray yourself with it, you cut or bruise your skin!
Avoid pointing the hose at yourself, and only squeeze the trigger when you’re pointing at a surface that you intend to clean. This basic “trigger discipline” will not only prevent you from hurting yourself but also keep you from damaging delicate surfaces that shouldn’t be pressure washed (e.g., windows).
#3: Wear Protective Equipment
Pressurized water and bare skin are not a good combination. In fact, if you were to spray yourself with this water, you would sustain a serious injury. Because of this, we highly recommend that you wear protective equipment during your pressure washing project. After all, the less of your body you expose, the less likely you are to spray yourself and become hurt.
Considering the following pieces of protective equipment, including the following:
- Gloves. To protect your fingers, palms, wrists, etc.
- Goggles. Shield your eyes—they are one of the most important body parts.
- Full-length pants. Cover your legs; they are most likely to be accidentally sprayed.
- Closed-toe shoes. Skip the sandals during your pressure washing project.
#4: Don’t Forget Ladder Safety
Sometimes, your pressure washing job will necessitate the use of a ladder. This is especially true if you are cleaning high surfaces, such as awnings and roofs. However, before you use that ladder, you need to review the basics of ladder safety—it’s a crucial part of pressure washing safety, too.
First of all, is that ladder set up in a stable, flat area? If your ladder rocks or sways whenever you step on the first rung, get off immediately. You’ll want to reconsider your ladder’s placement and put it somewhere it won’t topple over. Additionally, don’t forget the rule of three points of contact. You have four limbs; three of them need to be on the ladder at all times.
#5: Use Cleaning Solutions Responsibly
Sometimes, during a pressure washing project, you’ll come across stains that aren’t easy to remove. Regular techniques might not be enough to get rid of these tough blemishes. So, what should you do? Give up? No—use cleaning solutions such as sodium hypochlorite to weaken this debris so you can remove even the strongest streaks on your property’s exterior surfaces.
However, sodium hypochlorite must be used responsibly. Take care not to get this chemical on your skin; instead, carefully apply it to the surfaces that need treatment. Then, wait fifteen minutes before thoroughly pressure washing the area. Finally, witness the transformation of those surfaces from dirty to spotless!
Other Things to Keep in Mind During DIY Projects
There are other aspects of pressure washing safety you should keep in mind during your project. Read the list below and make sure you’ve considered them all.
- Have you covered your flower beds, gardens, and other sensitive parts of your landscape? By shielding them with tarps or sheets of plastic, you’ll prevent them from being damaged by pressurized water.
- Don’t forget to move objects such as outdoor furniture, decorations, toys, and vehicles out of the way. That way, they aren’t obstacles during your work. This also prevents them from becoming damaged during your project.
- Finally, make sure the kids stay away from the work area. Communicate with them clearly that you are beginning to pressure wash. That way, they don’t randomly dart through the work site and wind up hurt.
Consider Professional Services and Stay Safe
One of the easiest ways to ensure pressure washing safety is scheduling an appointment with a professional business. That way, you don’t even have to get out of your chair during the pressure washing process. Instead, you can sit back and relax while a team of fully trained experts handles the work safely. What’s not to like?
The best part is that we are ready to serve you for a fair price, too. What you’ll pay is based on the overall size of your project; there are no hidden fees. Contact us online with information about your project today, and we’ll get back to you with a free estimate.