Can pressure washing damage your house? The short answer is yes. You must take several safety measures in order to pressure wash a house successfully and leave it undamaged. In fact, you can cause irreversible damage if you don’t have proper experience and knowledge of how to pressure wash a house.
Here’s the kind of damage pressure washing can do if not performed correctly:
- Water can build up below a home’s siding causing mold and mildew growth.
- Accidental removal or denting of siding, shingles, shutters, etc.
- Paint removal and discoloration.
- Wood and stone surfaces could splinter or crack.
In the end, it’s supposed to be a home improvement project. Don’t let it lead to a large home repair project and a lighter wallet.
In order to pressure wash correctly, you must understand the complexities of pressure, distance, and technique.
Using the Right Amount of Pressure
Pressure washing and power washing are two terms that are often used interchangeably because they both, in part, use the force of water to achieve their goal (cleaning surfaces). But pressure isn’t always a good thing. Typically, the higher the pressure, the higher the risk of damage.
Certain surfaces, like concrete, can handle a rather large amount of pressure. It’s often required to deep clean and remove dirt, grime, and winter buildup. Other surfaces, like roof shingles, should never be treated with pressure (we use a soft wash instead). Water can easily get underneath a roof and cause a mess of problems.
Pressure washing a home isn’t as simple as picking up a pressure washer and lugging it around the yard all day. You must know the surface you’re washing, what it’s made of, and the right PSI to use when washing it.
Pressure Washing from a Safe Distance
The distance from a pressure washing wand to the surface you are cleaning is just as important as the pressure you use. Think about if you were to use a high amount of water pressure three inches from the surface of a deck. What would happen? Well, you’d certainly get rid of any dirt on the surface. But you’d also mark, scratch, and discolor the surface. Not good.
Just like pressure, you should determine distance by the surface you are washing. Vinyl siding is different than stucco. Concrete patios are different than brick. You must take this into account.
Pressure Washing Techniques
Believe it or not, there’s a science to pressure washing. While power washing may not be that complex, it does require a bit of practice and knowledge.
Let’s look at siding for an example. Vinyl siding has gaps in between each of its sections. If you pressure wash against the grain and where the gaps are open, water has a good chance of flowing behind the siding. It would be almost impossible to know that as a homeowner pressure washing their home for the first time.
Avoid Pressure Washing Damage
With so much at stake, it is best to leave pressure washing to the professionals. We truly believe a professional cleaning is necessary in order to achieve the best results possible. First and foremost, that means your house is safe and left undamaged.
When you work with Bishoff Home Services, you can relax knowing there’s nothing to worry about. We’re a fully insured company that guarantees to deliver the best results possible for your property using our safe and effective processes.
Contact Bishoff Home Services for a free estimate