How to Pressure Wash With Cleaning Solutions
Pressure washing is relied upon by property owners all throughout the Charleston, SC area. This is because this cleaning technique is a highly effective way of removing debris from exterior surfaces. However, even pressure washing isn’t always enough to get rid of unwanted grime. When this happens, cleaning solutions are the key to completing even the toughest project. In this blog, you’ll learn how to pressure wash with cleaning solutions—that way, you can do this work on your own if you’d like!
We are Jay’s Pressure LLC, a local pressure washing company. We use cleaning solutions every day, and we can attest to their effectiveness. You can also schedule an appointment with us if you need someone to pressure wash your surfaces for you.
Why Cleaning Solutions?
Why should you use cleaning solutions during pressure washing projects? Simply put, some debris is too stubborn to remove with pressure washing alone. For example, you may find mold on your concrete driveway that won’t wash away no matter what you do. Or, you might discover seemingly permanent rust stains on your roof. Leaving these tough stains behind at the end of a pressure washing project is obviously disappointing, but with cleaning solutions, you won’t have to conclude your work this way.
With cleaning solutions, even the toughest stains can be weakened enough to be removed. This makes cleaning solutions an essential part of almost every pressure washing project. The correct cleaning solutions won’t damage your property, and they won’t harm the environment, either. All these benefits and no disadvantages… what’s not to like?
What Are My Options?
So, you want to learn how to pressure wash with cleaning solutions. The question is, what cleaning solutions should you use? It really depends on your project, though we find that sodium hypochlorite is a great general-purpose cleaner. This versatile substance is a fantastic choice because it breaks down various debris, including dirt, moss, mold, algae, rust, and more.
- Degreasers. A great choice when tackling oil stains and heavy grime.
- House and Siding Detergents. These are designed to clean delicate home exteriors.
- Specialty Solutions. This includes rust removers, algae killers, etc.
Where can you find pressure washing cleaning solutions? Visit your local hardware store to see what’s available on the shelf. Or, if you don’t mind waiting a bit before starting your project, you can order these cleaners online.
Using Pressure Washer Detergent Tanks
Many pressure washers include tanks that store cleaning solutions. By using this tank, you’ll be able to spray cleaning solutions directly onto surfaces. However, there are some important things you should keep in mind before filling up that tank. First, make sure your cleaning solution is compatible with pressure washers. Typically, the product will be labeled for pressure washing use, but if you don’t see anything saying so, double-check on Google. If the cleaning solution isn’t compatible with pressure washers, it could damage equipment by putting it in the tank anyway, so please keep that in mind.
You should always handle cleaning solutions with care when adding them to your pressure washer’s tank. This is the stage of the process where you are most likely to spill these substances. When this happens, you could accidentally expose your skin to your cleaning solution of choice, and depending on how powerful it is, you could injure yourself. Always exercise caution; it could save you a trip to urgent care.
Applying Cleaning Solutions
Here’s the most important part of learning how to pressure wash with cleaning solutions—applying them to your exterior surfaces. To do this, you’ll want to use your pressure washer’s low-pressure soap setting. With this setting, you’ll be able to apply a thin layer of cleaning solutions to the surface that you want to clean. Remember not to over-apply cleaning solutions because they can run off the surface and damage your flower beds and other parts of your landscaping.
After applying cleaning solutions to the dirty surfaces, it’s time to wait. It will take ten to fifteen minutes to break down stubborn grime. So, feel free to step aside for a quick snack. Once this time has passed, you will find that the debris has been significantly weakened, setting the stage for a successful pressure washing project.
Pressure Washing the Surfaces
With the cleaning solutions doing what they do best, it’s time to pressure wash your surfaces clean. First, you’ll need to switch your pressure washer’s settings. Disable the low-pressure soap setting and choose a level of water pressure that best suits your surfaces. This will vary from material to material. For example, home exteriors should be soft washed with 100 to 500 PSI. On the other hand, concrete can be pressure washed with up to 3,500 PSI.
The best way to pressure wash your surfaces is with horizontal passes. By cleaning the area row by row, you’ll be able to easily keep track of what you’ve washed and what you haven’t. What happens if debris still won’t wash away? If necessary, try re-applying cleaning solutions. That way, you can break down debris further. With any luck, this is exactly what you need to eliminate those unsightly stains for good.
Professional Pressure Washing Services
Learning how to pressure wash with cleaning solutions can be a difficult process. You have to purchase the cleaning solutions and the pressure washing equipment. You also have to invest your time and energy into the process. If you are discouraged from doing this work, cut yourself some slack and schedule an appointment with Jay’s Pressure LLC. Our highly experienced professionals would be happy to do all the work for you!
At Jay’s Pressure LLC, we are always proud to pressure wash home and business exteriors for our clients. We also use cleaning solutions to ensure stunning results. How much do our services cost? Contact us online with details about your project, and we will get back to you with a free estimate in the near future.