Depending on the size of your home and how often you use it, a pressure washer is one of the most valuable tools in a man’s arsenal. But even if you bought a top-quality unit, its effectiveness will be limited unless you understand how to get the best performance from it.
Don’t Forget to Check Out One For Yourself – Giraffe tools pressure washer
Here are seven small but essential things you can do to improve your results:
1) Replace Dirty Nozzle/Tip
Your pressure washer probably came with several different types of nozzles or spray tips. These pieces direct water onto surfaces in specific patterns for cleaning other materials, such as concrete, siding, patios, etc. When these nozzles become clogged with dirt, they both lose their ability to clean efficiently and make it more likely that you’ll damage the surface by spraying too much water on it. Be sure to check and replace as necessary any nozzle/tip that’s become clogged, broken, or corrupted.
2) Steer Clear of Wood Or Fiberglass Surfaces
When pressure washing, please keep away from wood or fiberglass surfaces because too much water can cause them to warp or rot. Also, remember that high pressure from a washer can often yield fragile materials, such as siding or aluminum, to sheer off.
Most pressure washers direct a stream of water with such force that they can strip paint or other finishes from wood and fiberglass surfaces even when used at low pressures and high volume settings. For light-duty cleaning jobs like washing boats, RVs, automobiles, and patio furniture, use low pressure, so you don’t ruin things. Even without special nozzles or tips for these materials, your pressure washer should still provide satisfactory results if you do it right.
3) Add Detergent
Even in the absence of dirt, if you’re cleaning grimy surfaces like concrete or patio furniture, you’ll get better results by adding soap. Make sure to use a soap specially designed for pressure washers, not dishwashing liquid. Use about 2 ounces (about 1/4 cup) per gallon of water and mix it before filling your pressure washer’s tank.
You can save time by washing your car and having a clean patio at the same time. Just add liquid soap or detergent to your cleaning mix and adjust the spray to lightly soaps surfaces as you wash them. It’s also a good idea to run an extension cord from inside your garage, where you’ll be working, so you don’t have to lug around heavy hoses.
4) Remove Murderous Lawn Care Chemicals
Use soap and water to remove chemicals such as weed killer, pesticides, fertilizer, and even those pesky oil stains on concrete driveways before they damage surrounding grass or plants. Also, remember that some fertilizers may contain chemical compounds harmful to fish like koi or goldfish, especially if you wash them off with plain water afterward.
Have you ever wondered if your pressure washer might be getting rid of that pesky moss on your roof or sidewalk? By testing it with an inexpensive pool tester ($2 to $3), you can find out. If the tester registers a green colour, there’s probably still some chlorine in the tank.
5) Clean All Sides of Windows
To prevent streaks, clean all sides of your windows by alternating your strokes between the inner and outer surfaces. If possible, do this in the shade, so the cleaning solution doesn’t dry out too fast.
6) Protect Your Patio Furniture
After using your pressure washer to get rid of dirt and grime on patio furniture or outdoor carpets, protect both surfaces by spraying them down with a light coating of car wax. It will make future cleanups easier while preserving the table from further damage.
7) Don’t Forget Shady Areas
Pressure washers can sometimes leave areas wet after cleaning because they don’t direct enough water onto those surfaces. Just as you might use a mop to wet down tough-to-clean regions such as under patio furniture, be sure to spot treat these areas on your house and any other surface that’s not easy to clean with the standard spray of your pressure washer.
Conclusion
By following these seven simple rules, you’ll be able to safely and effectively use your pressure washer on just about any surface around your home or business. And if you’re ever unsure about what kind of surface you should or shouldn’t clean with a particular type of pressure washer fluid, check the manual that came with it!
