How to Power Wash a House
Are you looking to boost the resale value of your home? Do you want it to be spic and span when visitors come over? Do you want to be the envy of all your friends and neighbors?
If you answered “yes” to any (or all) of those questions, you definitely ought to consider power washing the outside of your house.
Power washing provides tons of benefits to homeowners, and it’s not as tricky as you might initially think. Read on to learn everything you need to know about how to power wash a house.
Benefits of Power Washing
Table of Contents
- Benefits of Power Washing
- Tips for Choosing a Power Washer
- How to Power Wash a House
- Power Wash Your Home Today
There are lots of reasons why you might want to power wash your house. The following are some of the greatest benefits power washing has to offer:
Improve Curb Appeal
If you have concerns about the way your house looks, power washing can have a huge effect on its appearance and curb appeal. When the exterior of your home is squeaky clean, everything looks a bit nicer, even if you haven’t had the time or funds to make any major improvements.
Get Rid of Stains and Mildew
At first glance, the outside of your home might not seem like it needs cleaning. If you look closely, though, chances are you’ll notice stains on the siding or mildew buildup.
If you spot any of these issues, address them with a power washer right away. This’ll help eliminate them before they become permanent fixtures.
Avoid Damage and Expensive Repairs
Not washing your home’s exterior on a regular basis could cause you to experience serious damage and need expensive repairs later on. For example, you could end up with severe rot or decay that wears down your siding and shortens its lifespan. Unless you want to replace your siding altogether, it’s in your best interest to keep it clean.
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Eliminate Airborne Contaminants
If you or any members of your family struggle with allergies or respiratory issues, power washing can be a godsend. Power washing helps to get rid of airborne contaminants (dust, dirt, mold, mildew, etc.) that may find their way from the exterior into the inside of your home, where they can make symptoms worse.
Tips for Choosing a Power Washer
The first step to enjoying all these great benefits is to make sure you’re using the right power washer. Whether you choose to rent or buy your own power washing tool, these tips can help you pick out the right one for your needs:
Electric vs. Gas
One of the first decisions you need to make when choosing a power washer is whether you want an electric or gas model.
Electric power washers work well for small spaces, and they don’t produce any fumes. They have lower water pressure, though, and you’ll likely find that your house takes longer to clean when using one.
Gas power washers, on the other hand, produce higher levels of water pressure and make for a shorter, more powerful clean. They can sometimes produce fumes that are unpleasant to breathe in, though, and they’re often noisier than their electric counterparts.
Nozzle Type
Some pressure washers come with an adjustable nozzle. Others require you to use different nozzle attachments to get a specific type of clean.
Most people prefer the adjustable nozzle option, as it saves them from having to waste time changing the nozzle during their power washing project.
Customer Reviews
Whether you’re buying or renting a power washer, pay attention to the customer reviews available online. They’ll help you get a better sense of what will work for your house and which type of power washer tends to yield the best results.
Special Features
Consider whether you want any special features, too.
For example, if you don’t want to deal with finding a place to plug in your washer before getting started, you may want to shop for the best cordless power washer.
You may want to look for one that comes with an extension wand, too. This can be especially helpful if your house is two stories or more.
How to Power Wash a House
Okay, now that you’re sold on the benefits of power washing and know how to choose the right power washer, it’s time to get down to business. Follow these tips to power wash your house and see the greatest results:
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Safety First
Start by making sure the area is clear. Wear safety goggles to prevent dirt or debris from falling into your eyes as well.
In general, it’s best to avoid standing on a ladder while power washing, as you won’t have a lot of stability. If you have concerns about being able to reach certain parts of your house, use an extension wand instead.
Prepare Your Washer
Now, it’s time to prepare your washer. This involves using a hose to fill it with water, then adding your detergent. Follow the instructions for your specific washer to ensure you use enough detergent.
Apply Detergent
At this point, you can apply the detergent to the exterior of your house.
It’s best to apply the detergent from the bottom up. This prevents dirt from dripping down onto dry parts of your house.
Apply the detergent at a time when the sun is not shining directly on your house, too. This’ll prevent it from drying in place.
After applying the detergent, let it sit for about 5-10 minutes.
Rinse It Away
Once the detergent has sat, it’s time to rinse it off. Rinse from the top down to get the exterior as clean as possible.
Power Wash Your Home Today
Now that you know more about the benefits of power washing, as well as how to choose a great power washer and how to use it, what are you waiting for?
Get to work today and give your house a good power wash. Whether you want to increase the resale value of your house or just want it to be sparkling clean in time for your holiday guests, now is a great time to show it some TLC.
Do you want more home improvement and home cleaning advice? If so, visit the For the Home section of our site today for some helpful tips and tricks you can try today.