What are the most common pressure washing services?
When it comes to pressure washing and pressure washing services, some people don’t know all the situations and applications where this amazing cleaning method can make a difference.
Hopefully, by the end of this article, you’ll have a much better idea about what pressure washing is, when you should use it, when you shouldn’t use it, and the benefits of partnering with a professional pressure washing services company (like us)!
First, What is Pressure Washing?
You know when you’re trying to clean something at home using a hosepipe and you put your finger over the end to create a more powerful jet of water because it cleans way better?
Now imagine if you had a jet of water that was significantly more powerful and you could summon it with the push of a button. Well, that’s exactly what you get with a pressure washer!
Comprising an electric or gas engine, a water pump, and a high-pressure hose/nozzle, pressure washers take ordinary water from a faucet (that’s a tap for anyone in the UK, but Gainesville, VA is ok, too) and accelerate it to make it high pressure. The water can then be released via the high-pressure hose/nozzle by pulling the trigger.
The high pressure of the water and the fact that it is concentrated in a small jet makes pressure washing super effective at cleaning all manner of items.
Plus, because pressure washing services do not usually need any detergents or nasty chemicals to shift even the most stubborn dirt and debris, they tend not to damage the cleaned surfaces.
Common Pressure Washing Services:
To make them even more versatile, various attachments can be fitted to the end of pressure washers so that they can clean a wider variety of things.
Here are just some of the items and areas that pressure washing services can clean:
- Driveways, walkways, and front entrance steps — Adds instant curb appeal and makes them all safer to walk on
- Concrete or tile patios — Perfect ahead of a barbecue party when the weather is nice
- Wood decks — Make them safer to walk on and add to their longevity
- Swimming pools, chimneys, and roofs — Removes soot and ash buildup in chimneys, as well as built-up dirt and debris in/on pools, gutters, drains, ducts, and roofs.
- Home exteriors and windows — Vinyl, aluminum, steel, wood, stucco, and brick house siding can all be cleaned with pressure washing, increasing its life, and your home’s curb appeal. When it comes to your home’s siding though – it’s best to do a soft home wash!
- Commercial Buildings
- Fencing — Dirty and discolored fences can be instantly rejuvenated using a pressure washer. Pressure washing can even remove old paint so you can apply some more, but consult a professional in the first instance.
- Cars, trucks, and other vehicles — No more paying for car washes. Simply add a brush attachment and your vehicle will be clean in no time. Just be mindful of the PSI and be aware you can strip was and even paint (we actually recommend a soft wash for your car)
- Lawnmowers, garden tools, and bikes — Blast away debris from the underside of your lawnmower or mountain bike, and keep your garden tools in good shape.
- Outdoor furniture — Plastic or wooden tables and chairs can be pressure washed in minutes, giving them a new lease of life.
- Barbecue grills — Bye bye grease and burnt-on food. Pressure washing your barbecue grills (if done correctly) won’t do any damage. Just be sure to remove the gas bottle or electric supply first.
What NOT to Pressure Wash
While most of these examples will sound obvious, we should highlight them anyway.
Don’t use pressure washing services for:
- Living things — Like people, plants and pets
- Electrical panels and meters — Water and electricity do not mix. Ever.
- Asphalt roof shingles — The high water pressure can remove the granules that help protect your roof. Instead, you want to use a roof soft wash process!
- Air conditioning units — The delicate fins can be easily bent, affecting the unit’s performance and cooling capability.
- Lead paint — It’s poisonous and should always be removed by a professional and not blown into the air all around.
- Damaged mortar — A high-powered pressure washer can literally blast away damaged mortar, causing you even bigger problems.
Benefits of Pressure Washing Services by a Professional:
1. You don’t have to rent, buy and store a pressure washer
First and foremost, the most obvious benefit of getting a professional to do your pressure washing is that you don’t need to invest in a pressure washer yourself or head to the hire shop each time you need to do some cleaning. If you do decide to buy a pressure washer, you’ll also have the storage and maintenance needs associated with owning one, both of which can add up over time.
2. Keep exterior surfaces clean (and safe)
As outlined earlier in this article, pressure washing services can be used to clean a huge number of different items. But perhaps one of the biggest benefits of pressure washing services is that they not only clean exterior surfaces, they also make them much safer.
For example, you know how slippery patios, driveways, and decking can be when they have a layer of mold, moss, and mildew accumulated on them. Pressure washing can effortlessly remove this, restoring your exterior surfaces and fascias to their former glory in a matter of minutes.
3. Keep yourself and others safe
Whilst pressure washing isn’t as dangerous as, say, white water rafting, it does involve water (lots of it) being sprayed out at high pressure, which could injure you, a family member or a beloved pet.
Yes, pressure washers can be fun to use, but they are tools, not toys. If you’re not confident handling a pressure washer, it’s always best to take advantage of professional pressure washing services in your local area.
4. Add curb appeal
Adding curb appeal to your house not only makes it more desirable to potential buyers if you’re trying to sell but also puts a smile on your face each time you return home. With professional pressure washing services, you can quickly, easily, and affordably add curb appeal to your home.
Final Word:
Here is Bright Exterior Cleaning of Northern Virginia we always let customers know that there is a lot of pressure washing services and pressure washing companies out there (as you can see).
That being said, we know that pressure washing is also a general term many use to describe any exterior cleaning service.
However, it is essential to know that the big three services for most exterior cleaning are:
Hopefully, this article helped you identify what you can and can’t pressure wash, and if you have any questions about something we didn’t include, you can always contact us below!
~Tyler, Bright Exterior Cleaning