Are you planning to do your own pressure washing in the near future? If so, you need to make sure you have the correct expectations for the work. If you think you’re going to have a cakewalk when you pressure wash your property, you’ll probably wind up disappointed. That’s because there are many challenges of pressure washing that you’ll have to overcome—and if you don’t prepare yourself appropriately, you’ll experience even more difficulty than necessary.
In this blog, Brite Exterior Solutions will teach you five of the biggest challenges of pressure washing. Discover what makes this process so tough. Then, learn what you need to know to overcome each of these challenges!
Challenge #1: Finding Enough Time For the Work
Out of all the challenges of pressure washing, perhaps the biggest one is finding enough time for the work. Let’s face it: DIY pressure washing is tough. This is especially true if you’ve never done the work before. Cleaning your surfaces and learning how to use your equipment are all going to require a time investment. The question is: how much time do you have to spare? Does your weekly schedule even allow for DIY pressure washing?
This is one of those cases where “your mileage may vary”. If you don’t have much room in your schedule, perhaps you’re better off scheduling professional services. On the other hand, if you have time to spare, why not give DIY pressure washing a try? It could be a good fit for you.
Challenge #2: Purchasing the Right Equipment
If you have decided that you are going to pressure wash your property on your own, that’s great. However, you obviously can’t do this work without the right equipment. So, what will you need? We’ve provided you with a checklist with everything required for most pressure washing projects, which you’ll find below:
- Pressure Washer: A specialized machine that pressurizes water so it can be sprayed at exterior surfaces to remove all debris.
- Cleaning Solutions: We recommend using a pressure washing detergent. It’s also a good idea to have sodium hypochlorite on hand to target stubborn grime.
- Protective Gear. Protect yourself from pressurized water by covering your skin. Wear goggles, gloves, pants, and closed-toe shoes.
Challenge #3: Preparing the Area For Pressure Washing
Once you have everything you need for pressure washing, you can’t just leap into the work. You’ll need to prepare the area for pressure washing first. But what exactly does this require? First and foremost, have you moved your belongings out of the way? You’ll need to relocate your outdoor furniture, decorations, and vehicles before you begin pressure washing. That way, you don’t have to navigate around any obstacles.
What about your flower beds and gardens? Be sure to cover them with tarps or drop cloths before your project. That way, these delicate plants are shielded from potential damage.
Challenge #4: Choosing How Much Water Pressure to Use
Next, you’ll need to figure out how much water pressure to use during your project. If you thought you could use the same amount of water pressure no matter what you’re washing, think again! You’ll have to choose carefully depending on what exactly you plan to clean. For example, if you’re cleaning an asphalt roof, low-pressure water is required. On the other hand, you can use significantly more water pressure when cleaning concrete.
Here is a simple list of different surfaces, as well as how much water pressure to use when pressure washing them. Don’t see yours here? Consult a search engine of your choice.
- Softwood: 500–1,000 PSI
- Asphalt: 500–1,500 PSI
- Hardwood: 1,000–1,500 PSI
- Metal: 1,500–3,000 PSI
- Concrete: 2,500–4,000 PSI
Challenge #5: Actually Removing All Debris
When pressure washing your surfaces, your goal should be to wash away all debris. After all, if you fall short of this objective, what was the point of pressure washing in the first place? However, removing all surface debris is sometimes easier said than done. If you find that some grime won’t wash away no matter how hard you try, perhaps it’s time to use sodium hypochlorite to bust these messes for good.
Here’s a simple guide for using sodium hypochlorite. First, apply a thin layer of this substance to the area with unwanted debris/stains. Then, wait fifteen minutes for this debris to be broken down. Finally, pressure wash the area again, and you’ll discover that grime that was once too tough to remove vanishes before your eyes. How convenient is that?
Additional Challenges of Pressure Washing
So, are those all the challenges of pressure washing? Far from it. There are a significant number of other problems you could face during your project, including:
- Physical Fatigue: There is a lot of physical labor involved in pressure washing, and you could find yourself tired and exhausted quickly.
- Potential Damage Risk: Careless pressure washing could result in property damage, so it’s important to always do your research before beginning your work.
- Potential Injury: Mishandling pressure washing equipment could result in you spraying and injuring yourself.
To avoid all the challenges of pressure washing effortlessly, you are always welcome to schedule an appointment with a professional business. For example, at Brite Exterior Solutions, it would be our pleasure to completely pressure wash your surfaces so you don’t have to. With our help, you’ll completely avoid the DIY process for a reasonable price.
Our Professional Pressure Washing
When you schedule an appointment with Brite Exterior Solutions, you completely avoid the challenges of pressure washing. What you’ll pay is based on the overall size of the project. The more surface area you have for us to clean, the more you can expect to pay. There are never hidden fees or surcharges.
Get started today by contacting us online and letting us know how we can serve you! We look forward to learning more about your appointment and restoring your property’s beauty. You’ll love what Brite Exterior Solutions has to offer you.
