Washing your house can be a daunting experience if you don’t know where to start. Even for an average-sized house, there are several things to consider; windowpanes, for example, are made of different materials than, say, the floorboards. Washing and cleaning each surface may require different methods and detergents. Managing all aspects of house cleaning can be stressful. Surepaint house washing services can be just the answer for you. With a team of professionals experienced in all house cleaning techniques, you can sit back and watch as they turn your grimy house into a sparkling one.
Regardless of whether you choose to hire professionals or do it yourself, washing and cleaning your house has key factors that you need to be aware of. You’ll need to decide whether to use pressure washing or a regular garden hose. Usually, a combination of the two methods is ideal. This is because some house surfaces like vinyl siding are better cleaned using pressure washers. You can use regular cleaning methods for other parts of the house.
Using a garden hose
There are house surfaces and items that do not require pressure washing. A garden hose and a few basic cleaning tools can do the trick. Your neighborhood home improvement store is a good place to find all the necessary supplies. Look for a hose that has a nozzle attachment for a regular garden hose. Sometimes you may need to use a cleanser. Ensure that the hose has a compartment for the cleanser. To start:
- Inspect the surface to be cleaned: Hosing down dirt is usually reserved for the exterior of the house. The house interior usually contains delicate items and surfaces. As such, gentler methods like wiping are more appropriate for things like window panes. Try to spot the areas with the most grime and dirt for the house exterior. This could be mildew or anything that causes noticeable blemishes.
- Pretreatment: Sometimes, the surface is so dirty that hosing down immediately may not produce the desired outcome. In such cases, start by squirting some cleanser on the areas with the most dirt. If necessary, you can scrub too. Pay close attention to mold and mildew. You’ll need an approved bleach solution to deal with the mold. Give the cleanser or bleach solution time to loosen the dirt before scrubbing.
- Wash the surface: After a few minutes of the cleanser softening the dirt, crank up the water pressure, and start hosing down the surface. It’s tempting to just randomly point the hose in whichever direction you please. Point the water hose at a downward angle to achieve the best result. Go over each section of the surface to be cleaned in a systematic manner to avoid missing any dirty spots.
- Rinse: Rinsing is necessary if you use a cleanser while hosting. It helps to achieve a cleaner surface.
How to Pressure Wash Your House
To use a pressure washer, you must have the skills and experience necessary to do so. Otherwise, you’re better off hiring professionals if your house needs pressure washing. This is because pressure washers are dangerous if mishandled. They work by disgorging water at extremely high pressures. While this is fantastic for getting rid of stubborn dirt, it can easily cause serious injuries. The high-pressure water emitted can quickly slice through skin, potentially severing a limb. Needless to say, you want to keep children away from pressure washers.
Using pressure washers for your house should be an option when you have very grimy vinyl or wood surfaces, among others. These can withstand high water pressure without incurring damage. To pressure wash a surface, do the following:
- Use detergents: Water alone may not be sufficient to clean the exterior of a house, even with pressure washing. While the water pressure can dislodge dirt particles, it does little for molds, mildew, and oily surfaces. Luckily, pressure washers have a compartment for detergents. Ensure to use the right detergent in the case of molds, ensuring that the high water pressure completely removes them.
- Select the right nozzle: To shoot water with the greatest pressure, a narrow nozzle is needed. Pressure washer nozzles use a degree system to measure nozzle narrowness, with zero offering the greatest water pressure. On average, a nozzle with a 40-degree spray power is enough to clean most surfaces. In rare cases, a 25-degree nozzle can take care of even the most stubborn dirt.
- Hose downwards: Like with a regular hose, you want to point the water downward to achieve the best results. Start by testing a small area with a particular nozzle. If you see any signs of damage, switch to a regular hose. Otherwise, clean each section of the wall or surface systematically to avoid missing any spots.
Ultimately, you want to ensure that the cleaning method you use fits your situation. With pressure washing, it’s generally advisable to hire professionals to do it.
