​Pressure Washing 101

​Pressure Washing 101: Tips for cleaning the exterior siding of your home or business
Most of us clean the interior of our house on a fairly regular basis but we often tend to neglect the exterior of our homes and businesses. The exterior siding can begin to accumulate a lot of dirt, grime and even mildew over time. Dirt and debris will build up faster on the siding of some homes and buildings because of its surroundings such as being on a long dirt road or in/around a new building development where a lot of dirt is present. Textured siding or siding with peeling paint can also rapidly accumulate much more dirt, grime and mildew.

To remove that caked-on, built up dirt and grime a good pressure cleaning is a very effective solution to restoring siding back to its original beauty.

Pressure washing the exterior of your home or business is a fast and effective cleaning method. Many choose to DIY this task, however there are several factors you will need to consider so as not to cause damage to the surface you are cleaning. If you would rather save the time and ensure it is done correctly, without damage to your home or business you may want to consider hiring a professional. The average cost of hiring a pressure washing company is about $250-$300 depending on the size and surface area you are cleaning.

For those of you that would still prefer to DIY it, read on to for some very important can’t miss steps to properly power washing your siding without damage:  

• Step 1: cover nearby plantings with a plastic drop cloth. Wet down plants that can't be covered and try to keep them wet.
• Step 2: pre-treat mildew spots with a weak bleach solution. Wipe it on lightly, then rinse the area with clean water.
• Step 3: if you choose to add detergent to the water flow for added cleaning power, hook the siphon tube to the pump with the filter end in the detergent container.
• Step 4: apply the detergent at low pressure. Work from the bottom up and allow the solution to stand several minutes.

Pressure or Power washing siding is a fairly straightforward process as long as you follow a few basic tips. First, avoid spraying water on an outdoor electrical outlets unless your power to those outlets are turned completely off. Take extra care around the electrical service entrance, the lines and conduit feeding the meter. You will also want to avoid spraying water into the central air conditioner which is also a high-voltage shock hazard. In order to avoid allowing water to seep underneath your siding and cause interior water damage it is important not to spay water in an upward motion, under siding laps and flashing. You will also want to avoid spaying water directly at doors, windows and vents. It is also very important that you get the water pressure right for the type of siding that you are cleaning so as not to peel the paint or create pressure tears in the wood or vinyl.

​Dirty siding can greatly affect the curb appeal of your home or business. Pressure washing can help restore siding to its original beauty.