Knowing how to clean your home and garage with a pressure washer is smart thinking nowadays. There may be a lot of dust and grime accumulation on the garage floors or exteriors of your home.
However, cleaning such areas without the proper tools and processes can be backbreaking. Using a pressure washer to clean is highly effective and involves less strength than other conventional methods.
A little research on how to clean your garage floors with a pressure washer will be beneficial. You will learn the technique how to get started with this cleaning tool. Moreover, using vinyl siding cleaner for pressure washer adequately tackles all the dirt build-up on the concrete floors.
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What is a Pressure Washer?
The pressure washer is an exterior cleaning tool that operates with a pump to regulate the water flow from the connected hose. The pump is typically powered by gasoline or by electricity. There is a high-water pressure of 1,000 – 3,000+ PSI which is forced through a narrow spray wand outlet.
This high-pressure of water spray is powerful enough to remove a layer of dirt from surfaces. The higher pressure ensures that tougher grimes are removed with ease. So, this post will share the cleaning process of using a pressure washer.
Home and Garage Cleaning with Pressure Washer
1. Start Slow with Nozzle Size
The pressure washer is equipped with a variety of nozzles that ranges between 0-40 degree. The lower degree indicates the water stream to be narrow and more impactful.
Start slowly with the higher degree and then move to the lower ones to make the cleaning process more effective. Handle the pressure washer with ease because you do not wish to damage or gouge the garage floors or exterior surfaces you are cleaning.
2. Do not Forget to Add Cleaner
Most pressure washer models feature a special nozzle or reservoir that allows spraying a soapy liquid or cleaner solution. Based on your cleaning and surface type, various cleaner solutions make the cleaning task easier.
The multipurpose house wash is perfect to clean the exteriors like patios and decks while degreasers are excellent for driveways and garage areas. Scrub the surface in suds and leave it for a few minutes before rinsing to get the added shine.
3. Continue with Pressure Wash Brush
Be patient to allow the combo of the cleaner or soapy liquid and water to do their work. There is no need to hurry and rush to rinse the floors. Now, you can attach the floor brush with the pressure washer for sweeping away those bigger particles.
The foaming bristles of the brush will intensify the degreaser detergent or soapy solution into the larger stains. However, do not forget to evaluate the quality of the floor brush. There are brush models specifically designed for garage floors and home exteriors.
If you are using the wrong brush you will not achieve the desired result. For instance, using a carpet brush on a garage floor will run the risk of damaging the brush and not cleaning the floor.
4. Rinse Everything Clean
This is the most exciting part of cleaning with a pressure washer. Get the pressure washer to the maximum level and start spraying the areas. However, be careful to adjust the nozzle if you have an underlying soft surface like plastic, paint, or putty.
Even though the surface seems durable, a pressure washer will dislodge any loose material. The efficacy of cleaning the surface depends on the complexity of dirt and contamination and might require repeating the process a few times. The selection of the right cleaner determines the success of the process.
There is no need to put that extra scrubbing effort as the entire process operates on the pressure of the appliance. Moreover, the risk of flooding the area is less as the pressure washer uses 80% less water compared to garden hoses.
5. Get the Finishing Touches
No matter how pro you become in operating the pressure washer, there will be still some water left on the surface. Here, you can consider using help from a squeegee or wiper to finish off your cleaning task.
Although it is difficult to get a uniform shine on the surface, it will get rid of the excess water. It will also avoid splashing water on drywalls.
6. Take Adequate Precautions
You might think a pressure washer to be a reliable cleaning tool, but it is not totally safe. The pressure washer is an immensely robust appliance and accidents can occur for unexpected reasons.
So, take adequate precautions by wearing close-fitting thick clothes, boots, and eye gear. If you use the electric models make sure you keep the connections away from water contact. On the other hand, gasoline models release carbon monoxide so operate it in the open air.
Key Takeaways
That is a summary of the most critical pressure washer cleaning tips. Make sure you follow the steps properly to avoid the chances of mishaps. With a pressure washer, you can clean your home and garage in a swift, practical, and effortless way.
Author Bio: This is a guest post from Kevin Jones. He writes: “After over a decade-long career in retail I learned a lot about people and what they think they need, what they truly need, and how to bridge the difference between the two. And that is easily one of the most valuable skills to have.” For this contribution, Kevin writes for Home Cleaning For You .