Safe and Effective Pressure Washing Services: A Task Best Left to the Pros

Back in June 2012, Chicago Tribune resident columnist Tim Carter responded to a query from Peggy, a reader from San Jose, CA who was thinking of renting a pressure washer to clean her deck, patio, and driveway. Peggy was particularly concerned about her siding, which consists of a combination of wood and vinyl. In addition, she was worried about how to ensure the safety of her husband and their beloved pets. Carter replied that when used properly, a pressure washer can be a convenient tool. This equipment releases high-pressure jets of water from a nozzle to remove dirt, grime, mud, and dirt from any surface, often eliminating the need for vigorous scrubbing. However, such a machine can also cause serious damage if the wrong angle or power setting is used. Homeowners therefore need to be cautious when using a pressure washer; better yet, they can enlist professional pressure washing services that guarantee a heavy-duty clean with minimal damage risks.

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You'll Need Pressure Washing for a Lot of Reasons

Even though there are many pressure washing services that homeowners can call on for their house cleaning needs, pressure washing equipment is available to the ordinary consumer, allowing him to do the same thing in his home. Of course, ordinary homeowners usually can't match the speed, efficiency, and finesse of professional cleaners. Still, the mere fact that pressure washers can be bought from the local hardware store means that people need pressure washing for a lot of reasons.

One of the most obvious reasons is that pressure washing is the only way to thoroughly clean a deck or a patio without damaging it in the process (especially if they're made from wood). Many professional washers use a cleaning solution to wash away stains that can't be removed using a broom or a vacuum cleaner. The same is true when it comes to cleaning driveways and pathways, because using conventional means doesn't always remove those traces of dirt and grime in hard to reach places, like the spaces between individual tiles.

Gutters and downspouts are also better off cleaned using a pressure washer, especially when dealing with dried-up granules that can't be easily removed by hand. Some people even use pressure washers to clean their lawn mowers and other gardening equipment. Those who don't want to deal with dog feces also use pressure washing to clean kennels, not only to blast the waste away, but also to wash off the foul smell.  

Fight Off Artillery Fungus

If you see a rash of dark-brown or black specks on your car, siding, or any other surfaces around your house that are hard to remove, you probably have a case of something called artillery fungus. According to experts who have been tirelessly seeking ways to control and eradicate this problem,  artillery fungus has become increasingly common in recent years in homes all over America.

More popularly known as “shotgun fungus”, artillery fungus usually originates from organic matter, such as wood-chip mulch found around flowers, shrubs, and other plants. When mulch rots or becomes excessively moist, it breeds small mushrooms that can shoot off spores as far as 20 feet. These spores, which are often mistaken for bits of tar or insect waste, stubbornly cling to surfaces around the house.

Once you have an artillery fungus problem, call a power-washing professional immediately. If the problem is common in your area, they have probably dealt with the problem before, and will know how to handle it efficiently. Don't let the fungus linger for weeks though; complete cleaning without damaging the surface is only possible if power-washing is done within a few weeks of a fungal outbreak.

You may try to perform the cleaning yourself, as there are various methods to get rid of the fungus including scraping and brushing it off yourself. Just be sure you know what you're doing, lest you run the risk of damaging the surface they cling on.

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.