Purchasing a gas powered pressure washer can save you hours of scrubbing and time spent on tedious tasks like tackling stubborn mildew or moss. But the benefits of a professional-grade pressure wash go far beyond simply saving you time and effort.
Dirt, moss, bird droppings, and mold growth are not just unattractive, they can also wear away at building materials and cause structural damage. Regular cleaning prevents these problems and saves on costly repairs in the future.
Prevents Damage
The buildup of dirt, grime, mold, mildew, moss, and algae can degrade surfaces over time, leading to costly repairs. Routine pressure washing eliminates these substances before they cause long-term damage, extending the lifespan of your exterior surfaces.
Built-up grime eats away at paint, concrete, and wood. Moss and fungi hold moisture against surfaces, accelerating deterioration and weakening structural integrity. In addition, dirt and debris clog gutters and downspouts, redirecting water flow to undesirable areas. Pressure washing these areas ensures proper drainage and protects the foundation of your home.
A professional pressure washer uses nozzles and pressure settings appropriate for each surface to avoid stripping protective layers or causing surface abrasions. For example, softwoods, painted surfaces, vinyl siding, and brick are better off with a low-pressure “soft wash.” This method uses less force but still effectively cleans the materials.
When handled improperly, a pressure washer can be dangerous. Professionals use the right equipment and know how to safely operate it. If you’re using one at home, follow the instructions to avoid injury and keep your family and pets safe. For example, keep the nozzle well away from windows and other delicate objects that could be broken or damaged by high water pressure. Also, mind where you place the hoses and power cords to prevent kinking and tripping hazards.
Prevents Allergies
Allergens cling to outdoor surfaces and can trigger unpleasant symptoms, ranging from sneezing and itchy eyes to more severe respiratory problems. Fortunately, regular pressure washing can eliminate these substances and create a cleaner living environment.
Allergen-producing materials like dirt, mildew, and pollen gather on outdoor surfaces and may become airborne when exposed to sunlight or wind. When they reach the home, these allergens can aggravate indoor allergies and cause them to become airborne, causing even more allergic reactions.
Pressure washing is an effective way to prevent allergens from entering the home and triggering allergic reactions in family members. The high-powered water blasts effectively dislodge the microscopic particles of mold spores, pollen grains, and other substances from outdoor surfaces. It is recommended that professionals use a specialized wide-angle or rotating turbo nozzle to avoid damage to delicate surfaces and ensure that the right amount of pressure is applied to each surface.
Allergens tend to accumulate on certain outdoor surfaces, including walls, patios, and driveways. It is recommended that professionals focus on the most critical areas, such as the eaves, overhangs, and gutters, which can be prone to mold growth. They also recommend cleaning decks and outdoor furniture to reduce allergen accumulation. In addition, it is essential to schedule routine cleaning of these outdoor spaces to ensure that allergens do not become airborne and infiltrate the home, triggering allergy symptoms.
Prevents Vermin
Over time, dirt, grime, moss, and other organic materials accumulate on and around your home. These elements provide shelter and food for pests, such as ants, spiders, rodents, and insects. Pests are attracted to dark environments and moist areas where they can hide, breed, and scavenge. By removing these attractants, regular pressure washing helps prevent infestations and enhances your pest control efforts.
Standing water around your home’s foundation creates ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other pests that carry diseases. Dirty gutters, clogged downspouts, and moldy siding also trap moisture, encouraging the growth of bacteria, mildew, and other organisms that feed on and damage various exterior surfaces. Pressure washing removes these traps and sanitizes surfaces, deterring many pests from breeding or nesting in the first place.
As an added benefit, combining pest control with pressure washing helps eliminate entry points into your home that pests like termites, ants, and spiders use to enter and invade. Pressure washing your home’s exterior surfaces, especially the crevices of your doors and window frames, garages, outdoor storage areas, and garbage bins, disrupts these pest pathways, making it harder for them to gain entry. Soft washing can also eliminate spider webs and egg sacs, dislodging current wasp populations. It is important to note, however, that soft washing does not guarantee permanent wasp extermination, as wasps are beneficial predators that naturally recolonize outdoor spaces over time.
Saves Money
In the long run, regularly pressure washing your property saves money. Not only does it remove debris, dirt, mildew, moss, and other contaminants that can cause damage over time, but it also enhances curb appeal. When prospective buyers and tenants see that your home is well-maintained, they are willing to pay more for it. This makes your property more valuable in general, saving you the hassle of having to find a new buyer or tenant.
A professional will know how to properly operate a pressure washer to avoid damaging your property. They can adjust the pounds per square inch (PSI) to exactly what your surface needs to get clean without causing any damage. For instance, a wood deck requires a lower PSI than a concrete patio. This also includes knowing what to use and what not to use—a soft wash is best for cedar siding, asphalt shingles, and other delicate materials that can be damaged by high-powered water sprays.
Additionally, hiring professionals is much cheaper than trying to DIY your pressure washing. If you try to power wash your own house or apartment building, you could end up causing costly damage. Plus, it takes a lot of time to learn how to properly operate a pressure washer. It is easy to overdo things and end up destroying your siding or outdoor furniture.