House Siding
Most houses in America today are covered with vinyl siding. They have the special feature of bringing perfect beauty to your home. However, if not cleaned regularly, they can easily degrade and make your home ugly.
In case your vinyl siding is discolored or dirty, you should proceed with pressure washing. However, it is essential to ensure that the pressure washer is adjusted to a lower PSI (pound-force per square inch) to avoid any unintended damage to the siding.
If you do not have experience cleaning house vinyl siding, please refer to our article on how to properly clean the house. Although wood or aluminum partitions can also be pressure washed, low pressure should be maintained to avoid chipping of aluminum partitions or peeling paint or chipping paint on wooden partitions.
Driveway
The material of the road is usually concrete or asphalt, we recommend choosing high-pressure nozzles for cleaning the driveway.
They are quite durable and will not be damaged by the high pressure of the pressure washer. For some difficult-to-treat stains such as grease stains, mold, glue, etc…, you should use detergents to improve cleaning performance.
Decks
Often this will be a place that your family often uses to move back and forth, so they often accumulate a lot of dirt. This is also the reason for the always dirty state of your decks and you have to regularly pressure wash
In washing the wood deck, it's a good idea to use your pressure washer on a relatively low setting (between 500 and 1,200 PSI depending on the wood) so as not to damage the surface.
Fences
A beautiful wood or vinyl fence can significantly enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home, but over the years fences can accumulate significant amounts of dirt, mold, and algae growth. Whether you are preparing to sell your home or simply want to refresh its appearance this spring, power washing your fence can make it look years younger. Use a lower pressure setting for softer woods like cedar and pine to avoid splintering and damage to the wood grains; while harder woods like teak and ipe as well as vinyl fences can handle higher water pressures.
Car
For basic cars, RVs surface cleaning of light dirt, dust, and grime, a pressure between 2000 and 2100 PSI is suitable, especially when using a detergent solution. The added cleaning agents help loosen and emulsify the dirt so it can be rinsed away with lower-pressure water. For tougher jobs like removing caked-on mud, road debris, tree sap, tar, and other stubborn residues, increasing the pressure up to 2200 PSI can help blast the dirt and contaminants off the vehicle's surface. Choose the proper nozzle when you use the soap to washing.
Pool
If you don't have a lot of money to spend on a pool cleaner, you can completely make your pool perfect again with a pressure washer. Drain them completely first, then vacuum the pool to remove any large debris. Then use a pressure washer to wash away dirt and algae from walls, steps, and floors. Work from the top to avoid pushing debris into the filter.
FAQs about cleaning various things
1. What can't you clean with a pressure washer?
There are some things you should not attempt to clean with it. These include:
Delicate surfaces: Pressure washers should not be used on delicate surfaces such as painted surfaces, softwoods, or surfaces that can be easily damaged or scratched.
Windows: Pressure washers can easily damage windows and the sealant around them, so it's best to avoid using them for window cleaning.
Electrical components: Pressure washers should never be used to clean electrical components or machinery as the water can damage the electronics and cause short circuits.
2. Can you clean your house with a pressure washer?
Yes, you can clean your house with a pressure washer, but you need to be careful not to damage the siding or other surfaces. It's important to use the correct pressure setting and nozzle for the job, and to keep the nozzle moving to avoid leaving marks or streaks.
3. Can you use a pressure washer to clean gutters?
Yes, you can use a pressure washer to clean gutters, but you need to be careful not to damage the gutters or the roof. It's important to use a low-pressure setting and a special gutter-cleaning nozzle, which is designed to blast away debris without damaging the gutters or roof shingles. You may also want to use a ladder stabilizer to help keep the ladder steady during the cleaning process.
4. Can you clean concrete with a pressure washer?
Yes, you can clean concrete with a pressure washer, and it's one of the most common uses for this tool. A pressure washer can help remove dirt, oil stains, and other debris from concrete driveways, sidewalks, and other surfaces. It's important to use a high-pressure setting and a narrow-angle nozzle for this job and to avoid holding the nozzle too close to the surface, which can cause damage.
