Pressure or power washing uses pressurized water to clean dirt, algae and more from surfaces. The water is given more cleaning power by being released at 40 to at over 4,000 pounds per square inch(PSI) and 5 gallons per minute(GPM). The ideal psi to use when cleaning depends on the object being cleaned. Using 700 psi can clean automobiles
without damaging the paint job. Cleaning siding takes 1,200 psi or so. Cleaning grills,
decks, patio furniture and oily driveways takes 2,000 psi or more. Well-trained experts
should do the job to ensure it's done safely and properly.
1. What Should You Not Do With A Pressure Washer?
Pressure washers are powerful pieces of equipment and must be operated responsibly.
Misused, they can cause injury and do damage. There are many things you shouldn't do with pressure washers. They include:
a. Never spray people, plants or any living creature.
b. Don't spray bricks, old mortar or structurally weakened material. They might break
apart, send small fragments flying, injure people or damage things.
c. Don't use it to clean machinery with fine, intricate, delicate parts.
d. Never use them on electrical panels.
e. Don't spray it at loose gravel.
f. Don't use it at too high a pressure setting for the task.
2. What Should I Spray Before Power Washing?
If areas to be cleaned are stained and very dirty, spray on cleansers to pre-treat it,
loosen mold, mildew and stains and make cleaning it easier. Spray on solutions made of
detergents, citric acid, vinegar, baking soda, sanitizers and disinfectants and leave it for a minute. This makes it easier to remove grime, mold, mildew, mud, loose paint or graffiti off fences, automobiles, buildings, masonry, driveways and other asphalt or
concrete surfaces.
3. What Are The Steps To Pressure Washing?
First choose the right psi pressure washer. Next, protect electrical fixtures, vehicles
and plants and shrubs from damage from high pressure water and flying detritus with plastic covering. Pre-treat stubborn stains with cleansers and a scrub brush. Then, put
cleaning solution and water in the detergent dispenser. Connect a garden hose to the pressure washer's water supply inlet and turn the water on. Test the water pressure level. Hold the nozzle about 3 feet from the item being cleaned. Moving it closer makes the spray stronger to remove stubborn stains. Spray at a 45-degree angle and move
the spray from side to side. Finally, using plain water thoroughly rinse the item you cleaned and let it dry.
4. Do You Have To Use Soap In A Pressure Washer?
Soap is optional when using pressure washers. However, when using low pressure nozzles,
soap can make cleaning surfaces faster and easier. It helps remove stubborn stains,
dirt and grime and does a more thorough cleaning job. Sometimes using pressure washer spray can clean items without adding soap. If you are concerned leaving the detergent compartment empty cause damage to the machine, put water in it.
5. Pressure Washing Secrets
As a Long Island power washing company with clients in Nassau County, Suffolk County, Long Island and other parts of New York, we have discovered many secrets that improve our results. Secret 1: Using pressure washers helps protect people, especially those with compromised immune systems, from allergies and other illnesses by removing common
allergens like mold, mildew and pollen. Secret 2: Pressure washers remove and keeps away algae, moss, lichen and other organisms that damage roofs. Secret 3: Having surfaces pressured washed removes slip and fall hazards like moss, mold and mud.
6. Damage From Power Washing
Improper power washer use can do serious damage. It can:
a. Cause water build-up below the siding and encourage mold and mildew growth.
b. Dent, damage and removing shutters, siding and shingles.
c. Knock paint off surfaces or make paint become discolored.
d. Splinter or crack wood and stone surfaces.
Have a home or business in Long Island, Nassau County, Suffolk County or anywhere in New York? We have the power washer expertise to safely clean and beautify it.
7. Can You Lay A Pressure Washer On Its Side?
Always keep pressure washers in an upright position or its oil and gas will drain into the wrong places in the engine and prevent it from starting. When pressure washers are
laid on their side, gas can get on the piston and in the combustion areas and prevent
them from starting. After cleaning, drying and reinstalling the spark plug and cleaning
the carburetor's float bowl, it may start. But the engine will smoke. The air filter may be soaked with oil and gas may get in the oil. So keeping pressure washers upright
is imperative.
8. Pre-Treat Concrete Before You Pressure Wash
To remove mold, mildew and stains on concrete surfaces, pretreat it, then clean it with
the pressure washer. Pre-treating when cleaning with pressure washing makes it easier
to thoroughly clean concrete surfaces. Ever said "I wish there was a company offering pressure cleaning near me now?' We are your wish come true. We are Long Island pressure
washing experts. Our powerful detergents and cleansers can pre-treat concrete surfaces and leave them sparkling clean. Instead of saying 'I wish there was a company doing pressure cleaning near me that's good, fast and affordable', just give us a call.
9. Pressure Washing For Dummies
We are the Long Island pressure washing company you can turn to for thorough cleaning
services. But, if you want to pressure wash the surfaces yourself, here are steps you
should take. First, get a pressure washer with the right psi and GPM for the job. Clear
off the surface to be cleaned, pre-treat it with detergent and cleansers and let sit
for 15 minutes. Fill the pressure washer with water and cleaning solution. Cover plants
with plastic and remove pets. Choose the nozzle needed to clean the surface.
Wear goggles, gloves and footwear that completely covers and protects your feet. Hold
the wand securely and keep the spray tip at least 18 inches to 3 feet away from the surface you are cleaning. Test the water pressure and begin cleaning the surface moving
the wand in a slow, even, up-and-down motion. When the surface is clean, put water in the pressure washer and thoroughly rinse off the detergents and cleansers and the job
is done.
10. Pressure Washer Tips
There are several different types of tips you can use with pressure washers. Those tips
are often color-coded so it's easy to find the right one for your needs.
Red tipped nozzles deliver maximum water pressure and a narrow spray. They're used for removing stubborn stains.
Yellow tipped nozzles are set at a 15-degree angle and have a medium-sized jet spray. They're ideal for preparing surfaces, stripping off paint or doing heavy-duty cleaning.
Green tipped nozzles are set at a 25-degrees angle and are the most commonly used tip.
They combine moderate pressure with a wide water fan that covers more area. The strong but gentle pressure can wash dirt and leaves off decks, patios, walkways, driveways and
vinyl siding and clean boats, cars and trucks.
White tipped nozzles are set at a 40-degree angle and have a wide spraying pattern and low enough pressure to safely use it on blinds and windows and any delicate and fragile
surface.
Black tipped nozzles are set at a 65-degree angle and their low pressure makes them a
good choice for wetting surfaces and putting on detergent and other cleansers.
Turbo or rotary nozzles have the same water pressure as red tip nozzles and have the green tip nozzle's spray angle. It cleans thick dirt and grime, take gum off sidewalks,
removes rust and strips paint.
11. Can You Run A Pressure Washer Off A Well?
Most pressure washers used in residential properties need less than 2.0 GPM to function
properly. It should be possible to run those pressure washers using water from a well
without having to worry about it causing damage to the pressure washer. However, should
you think your well cannot provide the minimum water pressure you need to safely run a
pressure washer, then don't risk it.
12. Pressure Washer Detergent
Most manufacturers recommend specially formulated pressure washer detergent be used in
their pressure washers to avoid the risk of it malfunctioning. It is risky to use just plain regular household soap when cleaning with a pressure washer. If the soap is not compatible with the washer, it can damage it. Plus, using regular household soap in a pressure washer may not do a thorough cleaning job. The pressure washer detergents are
specifically designed to handle tough cleaning jobs. Regular household soap isn't as strong. You may have to use more time, elbow grease and water to do the job right.
Long Island Power Washing Service
We do high-quality cleaning with pressure washing machines. We are the one Long Island
pressure washing company you need to call when you want excellent exterior residential
or commercial cleaning. Call us or visit www.aboveallpressurecleaning.com.