When we think of cleaning the house, we think of vacuuming the floors, tidying up the rooms, wiping down windows, and dusting off furniture. We don’t usually think about the exteriors but, the truth is, it needs as much TLC as the indoors do. The outside of our homes puts up with changing weather conditions and harsh elements all year round. To keep it looking its best, we should step up our exterior cleaning game as well.
Exterior deep-cleaning is a huge task, so it requires powerful tools. Luckily for us, there are power washing tools that are specially designed for every heavy-cleaning need. One of the most commonly used is the pressure washer, which uses mechanical power to spray high-pressure water.
This wonder machine can produce pressure anywhere between 750 and 30,000 pounds per square inch (psi). To give you an idea, merely 4,000 psi is enough pressure to cut off a person’s arm. Pressure washers are no joke and if you’re not sure if you can handle it well, you can always leave it to the professionals. You can hire All Clean Pressure Washing in Metairie, then just sit back and watch them get the job done. You can also have your home exteriors assessed to know how it can be restored to its original spick-and-span state.
If you’re ready to take on the task, here are five important things to keep in mind:
- Know When To Use Power Tools
Just because you have a pressure washer doesn’t mean you can go around and hose down your exteriors to finish the job in an instant. You should first consider the type of materials your house is made of. Pressure washers might be too harsh for wood, plaster, stucco, bricks, and other building materials of the same density.
Some excellent pressure washing services use special soft washing techniques to prevent cosmetic damages. This can also prevent structural problems from moisture damage in case water accidentally seeps through the roof, ceiling, or walls.
You should also consider the type of paint used on your house. If it’s a lead-based paint, strong water pressure may break down its lead particles and spread it all over your house. Exposure to this chemical element could potentially put your family’s health at risk.
- Use The Appropriate Cleaning Solution
Cleaning outdoor structures like porches, patios, decks, balconies, and verandas may sometimes require more than pressure washing. This is especially true if there’s moss or algae buildup. Those organisms thrive in damp environments so it’s better to use chemical solutions such as powdered chemical bleach or baking powder paste.
Rust and stain are usually more stubborn so you need to use non-hydrochloric acid-based formulations. They are effective enough to eliminate blemishes, but not too strong to damage concrete surfaces.
- Go Easy On The Windows
This seems like a given but some people still make the mistake of pressure washing their windows, screens, and vents. If you know your pressure washer well, you may try this as long as you start from the lowest setting available, then gradually increase it as needed.
Otherwise, you’re better off with manual cleaning. It’s best to use a squeegee and a commercial window cleaning solution. Sure, it requires more time and effort, but it’s better than breaking your windows from pressure washing.
For windows and frames that are riddled with rust or stains, you can make a homemade solution out of water and dishwasher liquid. You may also add a little bit of ammonia. But if your windows are too old or worn out, cleaning might cause more harm than good. It might be a more economical decision to replace them altogether.
- Sweep Up The Roof
Shingles are more vulnerable than they seem, so you should completely skip the pressure washer when cleaning your roof. Moderate rainfall can make shingles crumble and lose granules, so imagine how much damage high-pressure water can result to. Instead, climb up your roof with a broom or portable leaf blower to remove dirt and debris.
If there’s moss buildup, don’t scrape them off. Most roof shingles aren’t moss-resistant, so the buildup won’t come off and you’ll just end up damaging the shingles. For best results, use chemical solutions like the ones mentioned above.
According to cleaning experts, house exteriors should be deep-cleaned at least twice a year. Do this to make sure you retain your house’s beauty, safety, and value.
