When Do You Need a Power Wash?

The buildup of dirt, plant material and more can not only lead to a muddy or faded appearance for exterior areas but can also lead to future damage. The growth of plants or mold within cracks can further expand the broken areas and long exposure to the weather without cleanup can weaken the foundation. Furthermore, the general appearance and damage can lower the value of your house. When there is a layer of dirt and other materials strongly clinging to an exterior surface, this is when power washing is needed.

What is a Power Wash?

As to be expected, the process of this type of cleaning is a powerful one, but it is actually quite simple in theory. Power washing uses heated water and sprays it out at an extremely high pressure. This removes anything stubbornly holding onto a hard surface. This is usually done to decks, sidewalks, fences, driveways, garage floors and patios, but can be used for a variety of purposes.

The Power of Washing

As previously stated, power washing involves the process of spraying hot water at incredibly high pressures. While this is excellent for getting a deep clean and removing even stubborn marks such as grease stains and years’ worth of dirt and mildew, great power comes with great responsibility.

The high pressures of the hot water can cause damage to weaker surfaces. This means an improperly aimed spray could break your house’s window or damage your vinyl siding while working on the wooden deck or asphalt driveway. Due to this, it can be a daunting task to take on yourself. Thankfully, there are many services that offer both commercial and residential power washing, meaning they can help individual homeowners. By having a professional handle the cleaning, they’ll have a much better handle and control over the tool they’re incredibly familiar with. They also know how to properly gauge the pressure for different surfaces, as concrete and vinyl are going to have different levels that they can withstand.