Pressure Washing Tips for Beginners

Whether you need to know how to use a pressure washer for big cleaning jobs around the home or commercial endeavors, understanding the proper way to use these powerful machines is essential to getting the job done right the first time. Pressure washing has become a popular way to clean gutters and siding, concrete sidewalks and driveways, and even cars. With the right settings, you can use a pressure washer for even time-consuming and labor intensive tasks such as stripping paint. If you are using one of these machines for the first time, here are some important tips for pressure washing that will help you to feel more comfortable and competent in your cleaning tasks.

The first thing that you should understand about pressure washing is the proper use of the chemicals needed for effective cleaning. The primary rule that you must follow is to always use chemicals in accordance with the directions provided by the unit’s manufacturer. Bleach should never be allowed to see the inside of your unit’s injectors, and neither should acid of any kind. Using these substances can damage the injectors and ruin the pressure washing machine. To ensure that the machine does not backfire and douse you in the chemicals, always check your O-ring to ensure that the seal is still present and tight. Finally, be sure to wear protective goggles or other lenses that shield your eyes from not only the chemicals, but the water spray as well.

One of the most difficult aspects of your pressure washing education will be learning exactly how much power you need for each type of job. Because concrete, wood, and metal are very different surfaces, there is no universal power setting that can be used for every surface. There is, however, a simple way to determine the appropriate amount of power for any particular task.

Begin by standing between six and eight feet away from the surface that you intend to wash. Begin to walk forward as you are holding the trigger, and take note of the effect that the washer is having on the metal, concrete, or wood surface that you are cleaning. As soon as you see the desired effect taking place, you will know the exact range you should be using for your job. From that point on, use that distance as your guide to complete the pressure washing task.

Of course, pressure washing is not an activity that should be done carelessly. As mentioned before, these are extremely powerful cleaning machines. When used recklessly, a pressure washer can easily damage the surfaces you intend to clean. The force of the water can easily and quickly strip away paint and other protective surfaces that you may want to keep intact, so always start with the least amount of pressure and increase it gradually until you reach the level that you need. This will enable you to ensure that your pressure washing cleans the surface without damaging it.

 

Pressure Washing News:

 

Protesters petition city over cleanings
Occupy Austin protesters have petitioned the city to change its power washing policy to once a week during the day...


Industrial Pressure Washers from Daimer Feature Car Detailing Capabilities - SBWire (press release)

Industrial Pressure Washers from Daimer Feature Car Detailing Capabilities
SBWire (press release)
Woburn, MA -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/11/2012 -- Daimer Industries, Inc., a top web rated supplier of industrial pressure washers, has re-launched its 6000-class Super Max„¢ 6120SCW, which is designed for grease-removal on automotive finishes and delicate .

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Research offers new information on Prince William Sound recovery - Cordova Times

Research offers new information on Prince William Sound recovery
Cordova Times
by - More than 20 years after the Exxon Valdez oil spill disaster, new research on the cleanup effort offers some insight into the lagging recovery of hard shell clam abundance and diversity at beaches cleaned by high-pressure washing.

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Occupy Austin challenges city's power washing schedule - YNN, Your News Now

YNN, Your News Now

Occupy Austin challenges city's power washing schedule
YNN, Your News Now
In October, the city began pressure washing the plaza of City Hall, citing unsanitary conditions. According to a press release, the power washing occurs three times a week between the hours of 10 pm and 2 am An online petition asks the city to change .
Protesters petition city over cleaningsAustin News

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Pressure Wash This Inc. receives awards - Rockford Register Star

Pressure Wash This Inc. receives awards
Rockford Register Star
By Laura Roberts The company has received a Super Service Award from Angie's List and a Best of Rockford award for its residential and commercial washing services. Pressure Wash This has been in business for nine years, and looks forward to celebrating .

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How to Stain a Deck : How to Stain a Deck: Pressure Washing the .
Pressure wash a deck before staining. Learn how to pressure wash a deck to prepare...


Under pressure from environmentalists, water privatization proposal scrapped - Tampabay.com

Under pressure from environmentalists, water privatization proposal scrapped
Tampabay.com
By Brittany Alana Davis, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau TALLAHASSEE EUR” Under pressure from environmentalists, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Rep. Dana Young, R-Tampa, scrapped a controversial proposal Wednesday to "privatize" the state's treated .

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LG Debuts Dishwasher With TrueSteam„¢, Virtually Eliminating Pre-washing for Greater Ease
LAS VEGAS , Jan. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- At the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (booth #8204), LG Electronics (LG) showcased its latest steam dishwasher equipped with LG's TrueSteam„¢ technology ...


Occupy Austin petitions city to reform power washing schedule
Occupy Austin collected nearly 200 signatures against the number of weekly power washes at city hall through an online petition. Occupy Austin said power washing city hall three times a week is wasteful. They also expressed concern about structural damage to City Hall. The third reason given to the City of Austin was the health threat to occupiers living on wet concrete in Winter temperatures ...


Spangle couple lose thousands to flooded home - KXLY Spokane

KXLY Spokane

Spangle couple lose thousands to flooded home
KXLY Spokane
Crews continued pressure washing the floor where the water flooded and drying the home out with 28 fans Wednesday. Will says they had a couple thousand dollars in damages, but it could have been worse if the flooding was just an inch higher.

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Harbormaster seeks better way to wash boats
A boat washer on wheels may sound like a luxury item for a town to own, but its a necessity if the Town of Harwich wants to continue to allow people to wash their boats at town landings. In December,  the Department of Environmental Protection sent a EUR˜cease and desist order to stop bottom boat washing on town property...


Pairing Masks, Hand Washing Could Slow Pandemic Flu Spread
Masks and hand hygiene could cut the spread of flu-like symptoms up to 75 percent, a University of Michigan study found. A new report shows the second-year results (2007-2008) of the ground-breaking U-M M-Flu study found up to a 75 percent reduction in flu-like illness over the study period when using hand hygiene and wearing surgical masks in residence halls, said Allison Aiello, associate ...


 

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