7 Mistakes to Avoid When Power Washing Your Home’s Exterior in Washington, MI

Power washing your home’s exterior can make your home look as fresh as new.

Most of the time, a thorough cleaning is enough to maintain the cleanliness of your home.

Certain mistakes could lead to tearing and damage in certain materials due to simple overlooked mistakes.

It is ideal to know these mistakes to get the most and avoid further expenses and dismay.

With that in mind, here are 7 mistakes when power washing your home’s exterior in Washington, MI.

1. Not starting at the top

It might sound obvious to some, however, some often overlook this guideline.

If you plan on washing the roof, it is ideal to start from the top.

Once done, move on to the exterior walls, to the porch and railings, and down the driveway.

The idea is to clean from the top so that the molds and mildew won’t drip on cleaned areas.

Starting from the bottom would mess up your hard-earned cleaned pavements when it’s time to clean the upper parts.

2. Washing The Painted Areas

It might seem satisfying but power washing could ruin the paint especially those which have been exposed to sunlight.

Even the lightest spray could ruin paint so it is highly discouraged unless you plan to remove it.

If you’re planning a general makeover, you can wash off the paint and repaint it with new ones.

3. Not Using Proper Angle

The angle of the spray nozzle should not be underestimated as certain angles work efficiently on specific materials.

If you plan on washing hard surfaces or materials with high PSI, use a 15-degree spray nozzle.

On the other hand, you should use a 25 to 30-degree nozzle to wash softer materials with lower PSI.

Improper use of spray nozzle can result in unsatisfying results, or worse, damage and deterioration of materials.

4. Using Hot Water

Although it is what distinguishes power washing from pressure washing, sometimes, hot water is not necessary for cleaning.

Hot water could indeed make cleaning molds, grimes, dirt, chewing gum, and other impurities easier.

However, softer materials don’t need to be washed with hot water as it could lead to deterioration.

Only use hot water on hard surfaces and materials that won’t warp with too much heat.

5. Not Using the Right Detergent

There are different detergents to choose from when using power washers and there’re industrial-grade detergents available in the market.

However, since you’re cleaning your home’s exterior, ensure that you utilize the right detergent to avoid damage on surfaces.

Some detergents are stronger than others as they contain certain chemicals that are engineered for specific uses.

6. Ignoring The Landscape

Power washers use a detergent that contains chemicals that could cause harm to organisms and plants.

This is why you should ensure to cover the plants with a tarp or plastic sheets before spraying.

Chemicals can burn the foliage of the plants, but there are milder detergents available in the market.

Additionally, you should the foliage to maintain the moisture and avoid the chemicals from drying on the leaves.

7. Using Too Much Pressure

In addition to the angle mentioned earlier, the pressure also depends on the materials and surface to be washed.

The power washer machine’s pressure can be adjusted between gentle to heavy cleaning depending on your need.

Too much pressure can splinter wood materials, etch concrete, or even punch holes on your vinyl siding or drywall.

Make sure to read the manual and set your washer to the suitable pressure on specific surfaces.

If you need professional help with your interior painting project, Eason Painting can help.

Our home interior painting services are available in Washington Township, Rochester, Romeo, Shelby Township, Harrison Township, and Clinton Township, MI.

Call us today at 586-465-5081 for a FREE painting estimate.

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