Pressure Washing Home Exterior

Are you having trouble restoring your home’s siding to its former glory? Your home is one of your most significant assets. As such, you not only want it to look good, but you also want it to last long.

That’s where a pressure washer can come in handy. A pressure washer is a great tool that can help you keep your property well-maintained and on top of that, it can help you save money in the long run.

But, using a pressure washer to clean the exterior of your house requires some skill. It’s nothing difficult, but you need to have the right technique and you can clean almost any surface with it.

In this article, we gathered all the important information you need to know when pressure washing the siding of your home. Let’s check it out.

Can a pressure washer clean the exterior of your home?

Yes, you can use a pressure washer to clean and restore the exterior of your house. A pressure washer can remove even the most stubborn of dirt and grime from the exterior of your house.

However, if not used properly, the pressure washer can damage your house. That’s why it’s really important to find out how to use the right amount of pressure to wash different surfaces. When it comes to house siding, the pressure will depend on the siding material.

For example, you shouldn’t use a highly efficient high pressure washer to clean the homes with shingle siding, hardboard, or rock-dash stucco. Pressure washing can damage the siding.

Similarly, if you don’t want to damage the paint on the exterior of your house, or you don’t want to dent the aluminum siding, you should use lower pressure and the right nozzle to wash it.

Benefits of pressure washing the house siding

Now that you know that a pressure washer can help you maintain the exterior of your home, it’s time to discuss the benefits of pressure washing.

Extends the lifespan of your home’s exterior

Regular cleaning and upkeep of your home’s exterior is the best way to extend its life. Over time the exterior of your home gets dirty, and without maintenance, the wear and tear becomes very obvious.

Regular pressure washing can help you not only extend the life of your home’s exterior but, also save you a lot of time and money. Similarly, regularly cleaning your siding with a pressure washer can prevent different kinds of pests from wreaking havoc on your home’s exterior.

Protects your family’s health

Over time, in addition to dirt, the exterior of your house can get riddled with mildew, mold, bacteria, fungi, and algae. All this growth can be very harmful to your family’s health.

Mold and bacteria are the most dangerous because they can cause severe health issues. Mold alone can cause respiratory problems, which in some cases can be life-threatening.

That’s why regularly pressure washing the exterior of your home is important. Washing the siding can get rid of this sort of growth and protect your family’s health.

Enhances curb appeal

Regardless of what you believe, first impressions are important and that goes for the exterior of your home as well. A house that has a great curb appeal says a lot about its owners. A beautiful exterior also adds value to your house and uplifts the entire neighborhood.

With a pressure washer, you can easily restore the exterior of your home without spending too much money on different kinds of renovations. In addition to washing your house’s siding, you can also wash the driveway.

Raises the property value

Whether you have intentions to sell your home in the near future or pass it on to your children eventually, enhancing its value is paramount. Consistently pressure washing the siding of your home can help you raise the value of the property.

Regular cleaning and maintenance will keep the house in great condition over the years.

How to properly pressure wash your siding?

As mentioned, pressure washing the exterior of your home is not difficult, you just need to know how to do it properly. Here are a couple of steps that will be useful.

Pick the right type of pressure washer

There are two different types of pressure washers on the market – hot water and cold water pressure washers.

Cold water pressure washers are the most commonly used type of pressure washers. They clean almost every surface and they also remove grime and dirt successfully.

However, cold water pressure washers can’t remove oil and grease buildup. So, if your vinyl siding has oil or grease stains, you’ll need a hot water pressure washer.

Use the detergent

Sometimes, washing with water is not enough. Sometimes, you need the help of pressure washer detergent.

The detergent made specially for pressure washing allows you to easily remove any stubborn stains from the surface you’re cleaning. So, don’t be afraid to use the detergent whenever you see that pressure washing with just water is not enough.

Select the right nozzle

As we previously mentioned, pressure washing can damage the exterior of your house if not done carefully and with the right equipment. For example, to be able to pressure wash materials such as stucco without damaging them, you’ll need to select the 25- or 30-degree nozzle. Similarly, if the siding is painted, a 25- or 30-degree nozzle is a good choice.

On the other hand, for tougher materials such as vinyl or brick, you can use a 15-degree nozzle.

Prepare your equipment

Before you start washing the exterior of your home, you need to get everything ready. Remove anything that might be in the way, such as flower pots, furniture, grills, and so on.

Cover the windows on your house so that you don’t accidentally shatter or damage them.

If you have an electric pressure washer, make sure you have a power source nearby. Remember that gas pressure washers are better as they don’t need a power source and you won’t be tripping over extension cords.

Spray in sections

The best way to clean with a pressure washer is in sections. Choose a spot to work on and test the washer. A test spray will show you if the pressure is right if it removes the dirt without damaging the siding.

After that, you can start pressure washing. The best technique is to spray downward in sweeping motions and keep the movement continuous so that you don’t constantly spray just one spot.