Tips on Taking Care of Your Concrete Patio

A concrete patio is an excellent choice for those who favor a sturdy and long lasting area outside the house. However, like any surface, your patio will need regular cleaning and maintenance to keep it in good form. Here are some simple tips on caring for your concrete.

As much as possible, never put off cleaning your concrete; do it as soon as possible especially it you see grease, stains and molds. For regular cleaning, use a stiff-bristled broom to sweep it of dirt like fallen leaves and twigs. If you need to use water and soap to remove the dirt, use only mild soap to keep the concrete from fading.

If you notice any cracks, fill it with caulk. Sealing is a good way to protect concrete from damage. Use a good quality sealant to ensure that all crevices are covered, and that they do not easily come off. Otherwise, water will seep in and you'll endanger your concrete patio.

Should you deem that it needs a more thorough clean than you can do with a garden hose and a bucket of cleaning solution, call a professional for help. There are many contractors who offer pressure washing services and can guarantee that they can deliver quality workmanship. 

Cleaning Mold Off Your Concrete Sidewalk

Mold growth on your concrete sidewalk not only makes it look unappealing and old, but also poses a threat of slipping to anyone who walks on it. Mold isn't a problem that goes away on its own, rather it needs to be manually removed if you want to get rid of it totally.

First, you'll need a bucket of water, some oxygen bleach, and a nylon scrub brush. Pour a cup of the oxygen bleach on the empty bucket, then add the water. Soften the molds by rinsing the concrete surface with water.

Then, pour the cleaning solution to the affected parts of the sidewalk, making sure that all areas with mold growth are completely saturated. Use the nylon brush to remove all the remaining molds which were not washed off by the solution. Brush thoroughly until all traces of mold are gone; repeat the rinse process.

You can also use a pressure washer together with the oxygen bleach solution. If you don't know how to operate a pressure washer, then don't take the risk. Call a professional cleaning contractor to thoroughly clean your driveway; you can also include all other areas in your house like your windows, sidings, and patio.

How to Operate a Pressure Washer

Pressure washers are an easier and quicker way to clean your car, deck, driveway or sidings. However, because of its power, it can cause injury to the user or damage to the property. Thus, it's important that you know how to use a pressure washer properly before you get hold of one.

Wear a safety outfit when using a pressure washer. A protective footwear should be rubberized to help minimize slipping on wet surfaces. When pressure washing your siding, clean it from top to bottom; for driveways, work downhill. Protect breakable objects by covering them or keeping them away from the direction of the nozzle.

When using a gas-powered washer, fill it with gasoline and oil; for an electric powered-washer, plug it in a properly grounded outlet. Then, connect a hose to the pressure washer water inlet. Turn on the water before turning on the pressure washer to prevent damages to the pump. Attach the spray tip to the nozzle; your pressure washer is now ready to use.

Don't use too much pressure or stand too close to the surface you're cleaning to avoid causing damage, and switch nozzles according to the pressure you want. Keep in mind that a pressure washer shouldn't be pointed at people or animals because it may cause injuries.

Pressure Washer Maintenance

It is important to ensure that your pressure washer is running smoothly every time it's in use. Here are a few ways to keep it working efficiently.

Before using it, check if the engine is working properly, and if fuel and oil are at the right levels; look at the screen filters as well. Inspect for any leaks and cuts in the pressure washer hoses and o-rings. Make sure the trigger and nozzle in the spray gun are working properly.

After using your pressure washer, leave running water in it for about two minutes to remove any leftover cleaning materials you used. Then, shut off the engine off and let it cool. Remove water from the spray gun trigger and detach it from the hose. It is important that the pressure washer is kept dry inside before storage.

To properly maintain the pressure washer water pump, remove all contaminants like dirt and debris by flushing these out. Change its oil 50 hours after use or depending on the manufacturer's recommendations. The pressure washer engine oil should also be changed, either after the first five hours of use or 50 hours after. To make sure that you don't miss out on any oil change, schedule that for the pressure washer pump and engine at the same. 

Pressure Washing Moss and Algae off the Roof

Using a pressure washer on your roof may seem difficult especially because of the strong jets of water it produces which can damage the roof material or cause you to fall to the ground. However, there are a couple of techniques that you could do to clean your roof through pressure washing, without damaging it as well as endangering you.

The first step is to choose the right tip for your pressure washer. Although the washers have manual controls on pressure, tips also help in adding or reducing the pressure as well as focusing or widening the spray. The recommended tip for asphalt shingles is 25 degrees. This is strong enough to wash dirt and algae, but not too strong as to scrape off asphalt granules.

When washing your roof, make sure you have both feet firm on a dry patch. Then, with the wand at your hand, wash a single shingle first before moving onto the next and check if it has any damage. If it doesn't, then you're good to move on to washing more shingles at a time. Remember to check the shingles every now and then, and do not direct the spray upward into a shingle as it break it and cause leaks.

Pressure washer damage on your roof will be a big headache, but with careful hands, you can turn a pressure washer into a magical dirt cleaning wand that washes away all those gritty and slimy gunk that has stuck to your roof.

Engines and Nozzles: Power Washing Your Home Exterior

With powerful jets of water, pressure washers are great for removing dirt and stains off your walls without the need to excessively brush them manually. With just a quick wave and a strong spray of water, it's like scraping off dirt from your home's exterior with a magic wand. However, pressure washers are much more complicated than this, and knowing the right way to power wash could help you maximize the use of this handy equipment.

Though a pressure washer is stronger than a garden hose, not all are cut for the job especially the smaller electric powered ones. While electric washers are great for cars, furniture, and other relatively smaller objects, the objective of a smaller electric one is to effectively clean without damaging your things. So if you're power washing your exteriors, it's better to choose the bigger gas engine models.

Another thing to consider is the nozzle you'll put at the tip of your washer. Some nozzles direct a more focused jet or stream of water, while some are built for wider sprays. Each nozzle would also add to the pressure on your washer, so be sure to find out which one will do the job efficiently.

Power washing is a great way to avoid having to use your hands to wash your home inch by inch. However, make sure you now how to use them the right way.