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| TIPS & INFO: Pressure Washing |
Pressure washing can be very effective in the preparation process, but
can do SERIOUS scaring to deck surfaces. Care must be taken to use the
right pressure, tip, distance from surface and angle of the wand to
surface. If you are going to purchase a pressure washer for home use,
something in 1500-2000 psi range is powerful enough to do the job. A
$300-400 machine from Costco is a great machine for a homeowner.
Never clean a deck without using chemical first to soften the
dirt. Most of the damage to wood decks in the cleaning process is
because the person did NOT use chemicals. Water alone will not remove
everything.
Hold the wand no more than 10-12” from surface after the chemicals have
soaked into the surfaces about 10 minutes. Always move the wand in
smooth direction of the surface at an even distance. DO NOT use a
swinging golf type motion. That will diminish the power at both ends
and may be too strong in the middle. If the grime is not coming off
easily, try getting a little closer, but you never want to be closer
than 6”-8” from the surface or you can have serious wood damage. You
may have to use the chemical stronger and/or twice.
Masonry cleaning such as concrete driveways, bricks, etc. may
not require chemicals. Chemicals can help in stubborn stains or very
dirty surfaces. Use smooth sweeping strokes, overlapping a bit. If you
don’t overlap, your driveway may look like a striped zebra when you
think you are done. Get closer to the concrete surfaces (down to aout
3”–6” if needed). Getting that close with the pressure washer on
concrete will not harm it.
Eye protection is important - wear goggles. Never put your
finger near the tip of the wand. The water may actually cut through
your flesh.
When we wash something, it typically splashes on surrounding
areas, so hold the wand even farther and rinse off surrounding
surfaces.
Do not be fooled by the thought that anyone can pressure wash
properly immediately. It takes months of practice and dozens of decks
for a new employee to learn to be an expert pressure washer. Like
anything, there are tricks to the procedure. This is a dangerous weapon
in careless hands. |
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