If the exterior of your Pittsburgh area home seems dull or dirty, consider having it professionally power-washed. While house washing can help restore your home’s curb appeal, following safety precautions is important. Read on for tips on how to stay safe during exterior house washing.
Why Consider Exterior House Washing?
Over time, your home’s siding, brick, stucco, concrete, or other exterior materials can accumulate a lot of built-up grime. This can include:
- Dust and dirt
- Mold, mildew, and algae
- Pollen/tree sap
- Oxidation
- Vehicle exhaust residue and other pollution
This buildup not only looks unattractive, but it can also lead to long-term damage if left untreated. Power washing can thoroughly clean your home’s exterior surfaces.
Professional house washing services use special equipment to spray exterior surfaces at high pressure. This pressure helps lift and remove built-up grime. It’s much more effective than using a garden hose and elbow grease!
Thoroughly cleaning the exterior can help restore your home’s aesthetic appeal. It protects siding, brick, wood, and other materials from deterioration.
How to Stay Safe During House Washing
While a fresh power-washed home looks fantastic, safety should be the priority during the house-washing process. Consider the following safety tips when having your Pittsburgh area home’s exterior cleaned:
Research and Hire a Professional Company
Don’t take risks by power washing your home yourself. Instead, hire a company specializing in house washing near me, like Premier Power Cleaning. They have the right equipment, knowledge, and experience to clean your home’s exterior safely and effectively.
Avoid Electrical Hazards
Power washing requires electricity – and water and electricity are never a smart combination! Have the house washing crew thoroughly inspect your home and identify potential electrical hazards before starting. Ensure all electrical components are protected and safeguarded.
Protect Landscaping
High-powered water sprays can damage delicate plants and shrubs if you aren’t careful. Plastic coverings should shield your vegetation during the house-washing process. Your landscaping pro may also recommend trimming back extra foliage beforehand.
Cordon Off the Work Area
Your house washing team needs ample room to work safely. But you also want to ensure family members, guests, or pets don’t wander into harm’s way. Work with your house washing Pittsburgh pro to block access to work zones using cones, tape, or other barriers.
Prevent Fall and Slip Hazards
The combination of water and various cleaning solutions can make exterior walking surfaces extremely slick and slippery during power washing. Your pro should post clear signage warning of fall risks. Avoid walking around outside while they work. Wear sturdy shoes with slip-resistant soles if you must go out.
Wear Protective Gear
When working with high-pressure power washing equipment, house-washing pros need thick rubber gloves, boots, full coveralls, goggles, and face shields/masks. Ensure any staff or family members who venture out while work is underway are adequately protected.
Allow Surfaces to Dry
Pressure-washed surfaces stay dangerously slick long after crews finish spraying them down. Your exterior won’t have suitable traction for walking or climbing until it has had time to completely dry out – this could take 24 hours or longer after power washing finishes. Remain indoors until house washing teams give the all-clear signs that conditions are safe again.
FAQs
What does house washing involve?
House washing involves using specialized power washing equipment to spray exterior surfaces at high pressure. This removes built-up dirt, grime, mold, mildew, and other contaminants. A typical house wash thoroughly cleans siding, brick, stucco, concrete, decks, driveways, walkways, and other exterior surfaces.
Is house washing safe for my home’s exterior?
When performed properly by a professional house washing company, power washing is a safe and effective way to clean your home’s exterior. Reputable house washing pros use the proper pressure settings and techniques to clean exterior materials without causing any damage.
How long does the typical house wash take?
The duration of a house wash can vary considerably depending on the size of the home, the scope of cleaning required, and several exterior surfaces to be power washed. In many cases, full residential exterior cleaning takes 2-4 hours. Commercial properties often take 1-2 days.
What kind of results can I expect from house washing?
A thorough, professional house wash removes up to 90% or more of existing dirt, mold, mildew, and other grime. It’s common for homeowners to remark that their home looks newly painted or dramatically improved following professional power washing.
How often should I have my home’s exterior washed?
For many homes, house washing every 2-3 years is ideal. Homes in wooded areas or those with many environmental pollutants may need cleaning every 12-18 months. Talk with your house washing company about an optimal frequency for your home.
By keeping these important safety tips in mind, your home’s exterior can get sparkling clean without putting anyone at risk. Trust the power washing experts at Premier Power Cleaning to make safety the first focus while thoroughly cleaning the outside of your Pittsburgh area home or business. Contact them today to learn more or request a free estimate for your upcoming house-washing project.
