Challenges of Pressure Washing Orlando, FL Properties
Are your property’s exterior surfaces visibly covered with debris? If so, you’ll need to consider pressure washing. By pressure washing Orlando, FL properties, our neighbors can reclaim the beauty of their homes and businesses, freeing them from dirt, moss, mold, algae, and other sorts of filth. However, if you plan to do their own pressure washing, you’ll need to be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. What sorts of difficulties should you expect? In this blog, Prime Exterior Services will review these challenges. Then, you can decide whether to do the work on your own or schedule a professional appointment.
Challenge #1: Obtaining Necessary Equipment
You won’t be able to do any pressure washing unless you have the necessary equipment. However, if you’ve never done this work, it won’t be clear what you’ll need to bring. At Prime Exterior Services, we have a simple equipment checklist, and we will share it with you for your convenience. Do you have all the items below?
- Pressure Washer. A pressure washer takes regular water and highly pressurizes it so it can be used to remove even the most stubborn debris.
- Hose/Nozzle. A connecting hose and nozzle are necessary for pressure washing, allowing you to spray water directly onto dirty surfaces.
- Cleaning Solutions. Cleaning solutions, such as sodium hypochlorite, can be used to weaken debris. That way, it can be more easily removed.
- Safety Gear. You’ll need to use safety gear, such as protective eyewear, gloves, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes, to protect yourself during pressure washing.
Challenge #2: Finding Time For Pressure Washing
If you’re planning to do your own pressure washing, you’ll have to find adequate time for the project. This, on its own, can prove to be fairly challenging. That’s because there is so much to do during every given week. You have to work, do chores, get groceries, pick the kids up from school, and much, much more. This doesn’t always leave you with a lot of free time. The question is, is this enough time to complete the project? Or are you setting yourself up for failure?
When pressure washing Orlando, FL properties, it’s best to give yourself a significant amount of time for the work. We suggest at least five hours, especially if it’s your first time pressure washing. That way, you have ample time to complete the project, and you won’t have to rush yourself to the finish line.
Challenge #3: Selecting the Correct Water Pressure
Pressure washing Orlando, FL properties isn’t exactly what we would call a “one-size-fits-all” process. What we mean is that you can’t use the exact same amount of water pressure for every single project. An amount of water pressure that’s appropriate for concrete cleaning could damage more delicate materials such as vinyl or softwood. We’ve prepared a short bulleted list below with a few examples of different surfaces and the water pressure they need to be cleaned with. Don’t see your project? A quick Google search will give you the information you need.
- Softwood: 500–800 PSI
- Composite: 800–1,500 PSI
- Hardwood: 1,200–1,500 PSI
- Asphalt: 1,500–2,500 PSI
- Concrete: 2,500–4,000 PSI
Challenge #4: Dealing With Stubborn Debris
Are you struggling to remove stubborn debris from your property’s exterior surfaces? Unfortunately, this isn’t entirely uncommon. There are many substances that put up a fight during the power washing process, especially organic growths (e.g., moss, mold, and algae). So, if they don’t wash away at first, does that mean you should forget about them and accept imperfect results? Don’t do that—instead, use cleaning solutions to break them down so they can be more easily removed!
At Prime Exterior Services, we use cleaning solutions such as sodium hypochlorite to break down stubborn debris. First, we apply the cleaners to the surfaces. Then, we wait a few minutes so they can work their magic. Finally, we pressure wash the area, rinsing away all debris and resulting in stunning surfaces that leave our clients impressed.
Challenge #5: Putting Safety First
It’s easy to take the power of pressurized water for granted. However, don’t be mistaken. Pressurized water, if mishandled, can result in injuries. Think about how pressurized water easily removes debris from filthy surfaces. Now, imagine that same water being sprayed on your comparatively delicate flesh. This could bruise it, or even worse, slice it wide open!
The good news is that there are a few simple ways you can avoid this trouble. Basic trigger discipline is the first. In other words, don’t spray water unless you’re pointing the hose at a surface that you need to clean. This alone will drastically reduce the chance of self-injury. Wearing appropriate safety gear is important, too. For example, protective eyewear will shield your eyes from damage, and closed-toe shoes will protect your feet.
Consider Professional Pressure Washing
As you’ve discovered, pressure washing Orlando, FL properties is a challenging process. If you’re going to do this work on your own, you need to be prepared for the difficulties that lie ahead. It’s very likely that some sort of problem will come up and leave you scratching your head for at least a little while. If problem-solving isn’t your cup of tea, and you hardly have time for do-it-yourself pressure washing anyway, what should you do? Consider professional pressure washing from Prime Exterior Services, a locally owned and operated business.
At Prime Exterior Services, it’s always our pleasure to take on pressure washing projects for our clients. That way, they can do something else with their time instead of conquering one pressure washing challenge after another. How much will you pay if you schedule our services? That depends on the size of your project. At the beginning of your appointment, we will review the surfaces that you need us to clean, and then, we will provide you with an upfront quote. You are also welcome to contact us online for a free estimate anytime!