Pressure washing your siding is one of the quickest and most cost effective way to keep your home looking like new. It removes dirt that can grind away at your siding, and build up mold, mildew and algae can also be pressure washed away, in a fraction of the time that we take to scrub it by hand. I am Mike Kraft and we'll show you how to safely and correctly pressure wash your biggest investment, your home.
How, do you know when it's time to pressure wash? Well, generally cleaning is recommended every two years or as needed. Aluminium, steel, vinyl or wood can all benefit from a thorough washing. It's also the ideal way to prep a surface before you paint. Now, there are a couple of exceptions.
Make sure to repair any damaged areas first, like deteriorated wood. And you don't want to pressure wash if you suspect that your house has been painted with lead paint. Typically, these are homes that were painted prior to 1978. If you think your house has lead paint, contact a professional for an inspection and ask for recommendations.
Pressure washers use up to 80% less water, and up to 50 times more powerful than a garden hose. And it's easy to see why? They are designed for specific applications. Washing your home, your driveway, your car and they feature different attachments for each use. These assure that you are using the right amount of pressure for the application.
Lowes carries the washers, accessories and supplies to make all your cleaning jobs easy. Your Lowes associate can help you choose the right pressure washer for your needs or visit Lowes.com/OutdoorPowerEquipment for a pressure washer buying guide, which will even give you tips on buying the right spray tips as well.
Our pressure washers include three to five different nozzles for specific jobs, 25-50 feet of high pressure hose and a cleaning detergent specifically formulated for pressure washers. You have got the tools, now let's getting out of business. Choose a day that's clear with low wind, and then you can begin to prep the area.
First, turn off electricity or open outlets, use plastic and tape to cover delicate light fixtures and remove or cover lawn furniture and other outdoor items near your home. Next, close all windows and doors tightly, then trim bushes, grass or shrubs that are touching or near your home. These are often problem spots where mold, mildew and algae can collect.
So, you want to have easy and adequate access to them. Use a garden hose to wet down any shrubs so that the soap doesn't adhere too and harm the plants. Now, it's time to start the cleaning process. Always wear eye protection when using a machine. And never pressure wash while standing on a ladder. If you are not comfortable using a pressure washer, contact a professional and remember, only spray what you are intending to wash, never point the pressure washer at anyone.
Now, if your home is more than one story, invest in an extension pole or telescopic wand to reach the higher floors. First, put your pressure washer up to a water source. You will want to follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to do this. Then, put the Siphon tube into the detergent. Some pressure washers have a separate tank for the cleaning solution. Then attach the low pressure soap tip. This low pressure tip is specifically designed for applying soap evenly and with the right force.
Once your machine is hooked up, press the spray trigger until the cleaner is present in the water stream. Then begin applying the solution to your home from the bottom up. Now, this is a really important and often overlook step. Applying from the bottom up, prevents dirt and soap from running down your house onto areas that are still dry, which could cause streaks.
Depending on the size of your home, you will want to apply the cleaner to about one side at a time. You want to assure that the cleaner has time to work but, that it also doesn't have time to dry before you rinse it. Direct sunlight can dry the solution, so plan ahead.
Clean each side of the house, when it is not directly in the sun. Once the cleaner is applied, allow it to penetrate the surface for about 5-10 minutes, then you can get ready to rinse. Now, here is where your pressure washer, really does the scrubbing for you. Set the nozzle to high pressure mode by twisting the tip. Depending on your pressure washer model, you may need to switch to a 25 or 40 degree nozzle instead or another appropriate tip.
If you are cleaning a two-story house, you will need a special tip. Now, press the spray trigger gently to flush any remaining detergent from the line. Once flushed, begin to rinse your siding from the top down, there's definitely a technique to doing this safely and correctly. Here's a few tips to keep in mind.
First, hold the spray gun firmly with both hands. Next, always keep the nozzle about a foot from the surface, at about a 45 degree angle, and never spray underneath horizontal siding. Work with the steady hands sweeping from side to side at a consistent speed. Also always avoid spraying windows directly, and stay back at least 10 feet from power lines.
Once you have thoroughly rinsed, repeat the cleaning and rinsing process on each side of your home. Give your siding a few hours to dry then, admire the results. Pressure washing is one of the best way to keep your siding looking fresh and your home looking beautiful. But don't stop here, you can use your pressure washer to clean tough stains off your driveway, dirt off your car or streaks off your boat.
To learn about other home improvement projects, visit Lowes.com/Videos.
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