Pressure Cleaning is a cleaning technique which is ideal for removing dirt, mildew, oil and grease from a variety of surfaces to bring them back to a sparkling clean state.
Basically, there is a device – a high-pressure washer that is attached to a hose to clean the surface. Due to a smaller diameter of the opening of the nozzle, a high pressure is developed causing water to get jet blasted on the surface. This ultimately cleans the surface at one go.
But, unless you know which surfaces are safe to clean with a pressure washer or which nozzle and technique should be applied for cleaning them, you may even end up damaging the surface or even injuring yourself.
To avoid this, we have mentioned a list of the surfaces that can be pressure cleaned with a pressure washer, along with the ways of cleaning them properly.
So, let’s begin.
What Surfaces Can Be Cleaned with Pressure Cleaning?
#1 Patios and Decks
Mostly the patios and decks are made up of wood. You can easily pressure clean them.
Remember, a pressure-treated wood is very soft, so it is recommended to use a low-pressure nozzle to prevent etching or marking the wood. To play safe here, it is best to check your owner’s manual in order to confirm the type of nozzle to be used.
It should be tested before cleaning the whole surface. You can hire a professional pressure cleaner for this job. They usually pressure wash the whole wooden board to make your patio or deck sparkling clean.
#2 Walkways and Driveways
There is no concern of etching for the walkways and driveways that are made up of concrete. Such surfaces can readily withstand a high-pressure cleaning.
Using a finer pencil-like nozzle is recommended here as it will easily clean the grease stains.
In the case of mildew-covered concrete walkways and driveways, it is recommended to first coat the surface with soapy water while using a low-pressure technique. This will remove the mould easily. Again, if you are not confident about the equipment and techniques, it is better to hire a professional and avoid any damages.
Many cleaning experts also use a rotary nozzle if the walkways or driveways are heavily soiled.
#3 Brick and Concrete Surfaces
Bricks and concrete surfaces can be easily cleaned with high-pressure cleaning technique. It can clean the surface by removing algae, mould or grime instantly.
In order to prevent degrading of brick or concrete surface, it is advisable to choose a nozzle with the widest angle.
Still, hold the nozzle about 30 cm from the surface and sweep it in an even and consistent motion. This will prevent damaging the surface. But, it is not as easy as it sounds. The tougher stains are hard to remove and needs the right technique.
Some cleaning professionals even use detergent to get rid of tougher stains.
#4 Sidings
The sidings can be easily pressure cleaned, be it vinyl, fibre cement or wood clapboard siding. Aluminium siding has a possibility of a dent, so using the lowest pressure with a broad nozzle is recommended. If there are some spots on the sidings that are not removed simply by pressure wash, try using more concentrated blasts. Additionally, you also can consider using a pressure washer to even remove peeling paint from the siding.
It is advisable to not pressure wash the shingles as the pressure can make them loose. Also, the gaps around the doors and windows can allow the water to enter your home, hence avoid spraying water directly on them or even under the lap joints on siding runs.
#5 Roofs
You can use a pressure washer on the roof to remove mould, moss and algae. To avoid damaging the surface as well as to protect yourself from losing your balance while on the ladder, it is best to hire a professional cleaner for this job.
You will also see few professional cleaners applying an equal mixture of bleach and water in a pump sprayer. This lets the moss die on its own.
There is a key to prevent moss from growing – if there is an excessive amount of shade, it is best to trim the overhanging branches or cut down the trees so that the roof is exposed to the sunlight directly.
What Should You Never Do While Pressure Cleaning Any Surface?
- Point it at someone
- Stand on the ladder while using it
- Spray near or on the electrical outlets
- Put your hands in front of the nozzle to test the pressure
These are just the highlights of high-pressure cleaning. It can give great results if done right.
Book A High-Pressure Cleaning Service
Hiring a professional is always recommended. A professional will have an in-depth knowledge of using the pressure cleaning technique. So, in order to avoid any damages or injuries, it is best to hire them.
One such name is Himalayas Group. Our high-pressure roof cleaning services along with roof gutter cleaning services in Melbourne are the best in the industry. Our professionally trained operators are highly knowledgeable about how much pressure any surface can handle.
With us, you can have a peace of mind that your surface won’t be damaged by a pressure cleaning job.
To request a price quote or to book our service, call 0415 841 606.
