S&K Blog
Can I Pressure Wash My House Myself?
Many home and business owners recognize the undeniable value of regular pressure washing for their properties. It’s not just about maintaining a fresh appearance; a clean exterior can also play a pivotal role in increasing property value, prolonging the life of exterior materials, and offering a first line of defense against elements like mold, mildew, and grime. The allure of saving some bucks by skipping professional services is tempting. After all, who doesn’t like a good DIY project? However, venturing into pressure washing without adequate knowledge carries its risks. So, if you’ve ever pondered, “Can I pressure wash my house myself?” the answer is a resounding yes. But, as with many things, it’s not as straightforward as it might seem. This guide will delve into the intricacies of the process, the challenges you might face, and the careful considerations to keep in mind before you start.
Pressure Washing Your House On Your Own
Anyone can pressure wash a house themselves, but they’ll have to purchase at least $750 in equipment and spend time learning how to use it properly. You must own or rent a good solid pressure washer that can deliver up to 3,500 PSI of water pressure. You’ll also want a downstream injector, a surface cleaner, and a selection of cleaning chemicals to enable you to do the job properly. You’ll also want safety goggles, protective work boots, and protective clothing.
Once you have all your supplies, you must spend time getting used to your pressure washer. That means installing different tips, learning which tips to use, and slowly cleaning unimportant sections of your home to learn how to clean without doing damage to your property.
You will spend a significant amount of time learning to effectively clean your home with a pressure washer, and you’ll spend more than you would by hiring a professional, but once you learn to do it properly, you can continue cleaning your home each time you need to.
Understanding the Risks and Steering Clear of Common Mistakes
Embarking on a DIY pressure washing journey without acknowledging the potential risks is like sailing into a storm with a leaky boat. It’s crucial to recognize that improper use of a pressure washer can lead to damage to your siding, windows, and even the lush landscaping you’ve worked so hard to cultivate. Moreover, a common pitfall for many enthusiastic DIY-ers is the application of excessive pressure on delicate surfaces or the employment of inappropriate cleaning solutions. These errors not only jeopardize the integrity of your property but can also pose environmental hazards. To navigate these choppy waters safely, it’s vital to arm yourself with knowledge and proceed with caution.
Answers to Your Common Questions Before Getting Started
As a newbie to pressure washing your home, you’re going to have loads of questions. Make sure you get answers to all the questions below and more before you start cleaning.
How to pressure wash a house with mildew?
Apply a mix of bleach and mildewcide to the mildew-coated surfaces using your 40-degree tip and allow the pre-treatment to sit for 30 minutes before rinsing it away with a high-pressure stream of water.
How to pressure wash a house with bleach?
To safely pressure wash a house with bleach, wash and rinse the home well before applying the bleach solution. Now, use a downstream injector to spray your home with bleach. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes before rinsing it away.
How to pressure wash a 2-story house without a ladder?
You can pressure wash a 2-story home without a ladder using an extension pole or a high-powered washer nozzle from a distance. Be careful to maintain a safe angle when washing siding, and never angle your stream upward when cleaning lapped siding. Instead, use an extension pole to apply water from the correct angle while cleaning.
What should I spray my house with before pressure washing?
Spray your home with a surfactant or soap, and consider using an industrial degreaser or a mildewcide to clean your home effectively.
When should I pressure wash or power wash my home?
When asking the question – “should you pressure wash your house” know that it’s important to power wash your house in spring or fall to prepare for the harshness of winter or clear away any contamination that is collected during winter and leave your home clean.
Should I pressure wash my house before painting it?
Yes, pressure wash your house before painting it for an even coating of paint that adheres well.
How to pressure wash a house with vinyl siding?
Apply a soapy solution to pre-treat the siding and then clean it away using a 25-degree nozzle and 2,500 PSI of pressure.
What should you not do when pressure washing?
When pressure washing, you should not use the wrong nozzle, spray upwards at the siding, wear open-toed shoes, avoid eye protection, use gas-powered washers indoors, or apply too much pressure.
What can I put in my pressure washer for mold?
Using a mixture of mildewcide and bleach is best for treating mold.
What PSI pressure washer is best for home use?
A 3,500 PSI pressure washer is best for home use when cleaning varied surfaces.
Do you need soap to pressure wash vinyl siding?
Yes, you should use soap to pressure wash vinyl siding for optimal results.
Getting Professional Help
Learning to pressure wash your house at a professional level takes years of practice. If all the instructions above seem overwhelming, find a pro to handle your exterior house washing near me for the best results. You can hire professionals to pressure wash a house near me at a reasonable cost for immediate results without all the learning, practice, and investment in equipment.
How Do I Prepare My House for Pressure Washing?
The more preparation you do before taking a pressure washer to your home, the better your results will be. If you’re going to do the work yourself, you’ll have to go through more preparation steps than you would have to when hiring a professional to clean your home. One of the most important pressure washing secrets is to take your time fully preparing your home to get the best results.
Before you hire a pro, you should spend time creating a list of pressure-washing services near you that can give you the help you need. The right professionals know what pressure washing chemicals and equipment is needed to fully clean your home. Get these professionals to your home today and enjoy top-tier results.
Simple Preparation Steps
- Clear away any junk around your home
- Seal any openings in your home’s exterior
- Close all the windows of your home
- Get any children and pets away during the cleaning process
- Shut off outdoor power outlets
- Take away any fall hazards
- Move your vehicles away from your home
- Relocate any plants you can
When preparing your home, you are essentially clearing away obstacles that will be in the way and protecting parts of your home and your valuables from taking damage during the cleaning process. It takes time to fully prepare your home, but it’s worth the effort to achieve the best results.
Post-Cleaning Maintenance
After the dust settles—or rather, after the grime is blasted away—your mission to uphold your home’s cleanliness and integrity is far from over. Regular upkeep, such as gutter cleaning and spot treatments, will prolong the sparkling results of your hard work and safeguard your home against the elements. Consider this the armor that protects your castle, ensuring it stands strong and proud for years to come.
You Can Clean it Yourself, But Hiring a Pro Is Probably the Best
It’s possible to pressure wash your home well, but it’s not an easy task or something you can do in a day. Many homeowners develop the skills and gather the equipment to professionally clean their homes regularly, but you’ll have to decide if you want to take the time and spend the money to do this yourself. If not, you should hire a reputable pro to do the work for you. Contact our specialists at S&K Builders and get pros with years of experience and the best equipment to clean your home instead. Get a free quote today and find out what it will take to get your house properly cleaned.
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FAQs
How much should I charge to pressure wash a driveway?
You should charge between $200 and $400 to pressure wash an average-sized driveway. That’s a driveway of about 650 square feet. Most professionals use a rate of $0.20 to $0.80 for driveway pressure cleaning services.
How much should I charge a square foot for pressure washing?
You should charge between $0.20 and $1.00 per square foot for pressure washing services. Charge near the high end for roofing and other difficult surfaces and closer to the low end for home siding and driveways.
How much does it cost to pressure wash a house?
It costs an average of $250 to $750 to pressure wash a 1,500-square-foot house. A 2,500-square-foot house would cost $500 to $1500 on average. If you have an irregularly sized home, you can multiply by between $0.20 and $0.60 per square foot for a cost range estimate.
How much does it cost to pressure wash a driveway per square foot?
It costs approximately $0.20 to $0.80 to pressure wash a driveway per square foot. Only heavily soiled driveways will cost near the upper end of that price range normally.
How much does it cost to pressure wash a 2,500 sq ft house?
It costs between $500 and $1,500 to pressure wash a 2,500-square-foot house. This range varies depending on how dirty the home is, how tall it is, and what company you’re working with.
What are the risks of starting a pressure washing business?
When starting a pressure washing business, you risk investing in equipment that will break down and fail and cause harm to the properties you are working on. You must be careful to maintain your equipment properly and always have insurance before working on someone’s property.
What are the pros and cons of pressure washing?
Pressure washing offers a deep clean that can be achieved quickly. Pressure washing also has the potential to damage the surface being cleaned and can cause more harm than good when done by an amateur using the wrong equipment or technique.
How do you quote pressure washing?
To quote pressure washing, begin by measuring the length and width of the area to be cleaned and calculating a surface area in square feet. From there, you multiply your total area by an estimated pressure washing price per square foot to get the cleaning quote amount.
Ready to Get Started?
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