Looking to do your own pressure washing in the near future? If so, you can’t forget about pressure washing safety. Your well-being, and the well-being of your property, should be your top priorities during your project. However, without doing research on proper pressure washing conventions ahead of time, you won’t be set up for success. Good news: Brite Exterior Solutions is here to provide you with the pressure washing safety guidelines you need!
In this blog, we’ll review five important pointers regarding pressure washing safety that you won’t want to miss. As Midlothian, VA’s pressure washing authority, we are always happy to help our neighbors—from giving advice to providing full-service appointments and more!
#1: Make Sure You Are Well-Rested
Have you ever heard that driving while deprived of sleep is just as dangerous as driving while drunk? Sleep plays an important role for us human beings. It’s the process in which your mind resets itself for the next day and your body is given the chance to rest. Sleep is crucial in doing good work and enjoying yourself during your free time. It should be no surprise, then, that it’s just as important to pressure washing your property successfully.
When taking on a pressure washing project, many of your senses will be tested. You have to have a sharp eye for details or else you will overlook areas that must be cleaned. You need to keep your ears listening so you can ensure your equipment is functioning properly and no one is approaching your job site. Finally, your every movement plays a role: one errant swing of your arm could result in you spraying something you didn’t mean to spray.
For all these reasons, it’s instrumental that you rest properly before your pressure washing project. Don’t attempt to do this work on two hours of sleep. Make sure you’ve rejuvenated your entire body through a full seven or eight hours. Only then do we recommend going forward with your pressure washing project.
#2: Wear Safety Gear
An important part of pressure washing safety is acknowledging the power of pressurized water and giving it the respect it deserves. If you were to accidentally spray yourself with this water, you could easily bruise yourself or slice your skin wide open. The good news is that you can reduce the risk of this happening with pressure washing safety equipment.
Before you leap into your pressure washing project, make sure that you have the following examples of safety gear:
- Goggles. To protect your eyes.
- Gloves. Shield your sensitive hands from harm.
- Full-length pants. Eliminate the risk of spraying your bare legs.
- Closed-toe shoes. Avoid sandals and flip-flops.
#3: Exercise Basic Trigger Discipline
You would never point a gun at yourself. Or, at the very least, you’re not supposed to. Even if you believe that the gun isn’t loaded, you still shouldn’t point it at anyone. It’s a similar story with a pressure washing hose. All it takes is one squeeze of the trigger to bring forth a powerful jet of pressurized water. Spray yourself, or one of your friends or family members, and you’ll be in a world of trouble.
Our advice is to always be attentive while pressure washing. Every time you prepare to spray, ask yourself: is your hose pointed where it’s supposed to be? A little bit of thinking and deliberation can prevent a world of property damage and personal injury.
#4: Use the Correct Water Pressure Setting
Pressure washing is not a “one-size-fits-all” process. If you were to use the same water pressure setting for all projects, you’d quickly come across some problems. For example, using too little water pressure could leave you with lackluster results. On the other hand, using too much water pressure could actually damage exterior surfaces—saddling you with hundreds of dollars of repair bills.
To ensure your pressure washing project ends perfectly, always research how much water pressure to use during your project. The correct setting varies based on what exactly you need to clean. We’ve included a short list below for your convenience. Consult the web if you don’t see your project described here!
- Wood fencing: 500–1,200 PSI
- Vinyl siding: 500–1,000 PSI
- Aluminum siding: 1,000–1,500 PSI
- Wood decking: 1,000–1,500 PSI
- Asphalt surfaces: 1,000–1,500 PSI
- Brick: 1,500–2,000 PSI
- Concrete: 2,500–3,000 PSI
Use these as general starting ranges. Actual settings should be adjusted based on surface condition, nozzle, and cleaning technique.
#5: Ladder Safety Is Important, Too
Many pressure washing projects don’t involve ladders at all. However, others will require you to climb up in order to reach high surfaces. This is especially true during roof washing projects. You won’t be able to complete this work without a ladder! For this reason, we can’t think of a better time to review the basics of ladder safety.
First of all, you must always set up your ladder in a flat, stable area. That way, it doesn’t rock or wobble whenever you climb it. If your ladder seems unsteady, we highly recommend that you double-check where it has been set up and move it if necessary.
Additionally, keep the rule of three points of contact in mind. But what is this rule? Simply put, between your two arms and two legs, three of them should be on the ladder at all times. This significantly reduces the risk of falling and keeps you out of the emergency room.
Need Professional Pressure Washing?
Are you concerned about pressure washing safety? Want to avoid accidents at all costs? If so, you may want to consider a professional pressure washing appointment. Reach out to Brite Exterior Solutions, and we will happily do this work for you! That way, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a risk-free experience.
To get started, contact us online and let us know how we can help you. We will give you a free cost estimate, and then, you can choose a time and date for our arrival. We can’t wait to be at your service!
