How to Power Wash Siding
We spend a lot of time washing, scrubbing and arranging the interior of our house, completely neglecting the exterior side which gives the first impression to any onlookers. With time, cobwebs, grime and mildew accumulate on the exterior walls of a building giving it a gloomy unclean look. This leads many home owners to believe that they need a fresh coat of paint while in reality all the walls need is a good cleaning job. One option to clean them is to use power wash which uses the force of water to clear everything. This is a project you can do yourself and doing it every year keeps your house exterior refreshed and clean. Lets have a look at our step by step guide for this.
Things required:
– Power washer
– Wasp killer spray
– Detergent
– Garden hose
– Eight foot step ladder
Instructions
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1
Buy or rent a washer:
Power washers are also known as pressure washers. You can rent one for a day or for the weekend with a small rental fee. If you want to buy one, do thorough market research first. Compare prices, feature and power. A power washer of 1500 PSI is enough for a two story house. Go for the gas operated ones as they are more powerful than the electrical ones.
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2
Preparation:
Close all doors and windows tightly so that water does not get inside the house. Move away anything that you do not want to get wet like plants and outdoor chairs. Switch off and unplug all electrical appliances and switches in vicinity. Remove all the obstacles in your way.
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3
Remove wasps:
Use an anti wasp to spray at wasp nests from a distance. It is better to remove them before you start working. The water will irritate them and they will put all their energies into disturbing you.
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4
Power wash time:
Hook your water hose to the power washer. Start the machine. Start washing the house from the bottom of the walls and going upward. Once you reach the top, rinse down back. This prevents water streaks. Use a ladder to help if you are cleaning a double story house. It is most effective if you keep the water angle perpendicular to the walls. You may have to hand wash and scrub some stubborn stains.
You can add a detergent if your house has gone grimy or has mildew. Local stores have detergents suited for side washing.
