How to Safely Pressure Wash Your House Before Painting
Preparing your home for a new paint job involves several essential steps, and one crucial task is to pressure or power wash your house before painting. Pressure washing cleans your home’s exterior and helps guarantee that the new paint adheres properly, creating a longer-lasting finish. In this blog, we will discuss the details of how to safely pressure wash your house before painting.
Why Is Pressure Wash Needed Before Painting?
Pressure washing, also known as power washing, removes dirt, grime, mold, mildew, and peeling paint from the exterior of your home. This step is a game changer because it helps the new paint adhere better and last longer. The new paint might not bond properly without proper cleaning, leading to a less durable finish.
Choosing the Right Pressure Washer
Selecting the right pressure washer is crucial when it comes to pressure washing homes or commercial properties. Most pressure washers can handle different cleaning tasks, but you need one with adjustable pressure settings for proper exteriors. This allows you to use gentle water pressure for delicate surfaces like vinyl siding and more powerful pressure for difficult and stubborn stains.
Preparation Before Pressure Washing
Now that we’ve covered the importance of pressure washing before painting and how to select the right pressure washer, let’s delve into the preparation steps you need to take. Understanding and executing these preparatory tasks will ensure your pressure-washing process is effective and safe. Let’s explore the details and start making your home’s exterior ready for a fresh coat of paint.
Inspect Your Property
In the first step, check for loose paint, damaged siding boards, and areas on your property that have mold or mildew. Address these issues before you begin pressure washing.
Protect Plants & Surfaces
Cover plants, windows, doors, and other surfaces that the pressure washer or cleaning solutions could damage.
Select The Best Cleaning Solutions
After inspecting the property, protecting valuable belongings, etc., you can select the right cleaning solution. Always use appropriate cleaning solutions for different types of exterior surfaces. For instance, use a stronger solution for wood siding with heavy dirt and mild detergent for vinyl siding.
Pressure Washing Techniques
Once you’ve prepared your home or commercial property, it’s time to begin pressure washing. Follow these steps for a safe clean:
Choose the Right Pressure Setting
Most pressure washers come with adjustable settings. Use a medium-pressure setting to avoid damaging the paint for cleaning exterior surfaces. For delicate surfaces, a lower pressure is generally recommended. If you’re dealing with strong and stubborn stains or mold, you should use a higher pressure setting, but always test a small area first. It’s always best to hire a professional pressure-washing company to ensure that your property is washed before the paint job.
Start from the Top
Always start pressure washing from the top of your home’s exterior and work your way down. This wishing technique prevents streaking and confirms that all dirt and grime are washed away from the surface.
Use Smooth & Even Strokes
Always maintain a consistent distance from the surface and use smooth and even strokes to avoid leaving marks or damaging it. Move the pressure washer in a sweeping motion to guarantee complete coverage.
Be Cautious Around Sensitive Areas
When pressure washing areas like wall cavities beneath the siding or around electrical outlets, always use extra care and caution to avoid causing damage. For delicate surfaces with peeling paint, a softer washing technique or lower pressure setting is best. Make sure you get this job done by professionals.
Rinse Thoroughly
After applying a good cleaning solution, thoroughly rinse the surface with clean water to remove all residue. This step prevents streaks and confirms that no cleaning agents are left behind.
How to Remove Peeling Paint from Your Home’s Exterior
Removing peeling paint from the exterior of your home is essential for achieving a durable finish with your new paint job. Professionals generally use a pressure washer to blast away loose and flaking paint and ensure they use an adequate pressure setting to avoid damaging the surface.
For stubborn parts, a paint scraper or a heat gun is used to help loosen and remove the remaining peeling paint. Professionals sand the area thoroughly to smooth out rough edges and create a uniform surface. In the end, clean the area to remove dust before applying a primer and your new exterior paint. This preparation will guarantee the best adhesion of the paint and a professional-looking result. Always hire professionals for this job to get the best results.
Care After Pressure Washing
Once you’ve completed the pressure wash of your house or commercial property now, take the following steps to prepare for painting:
Allow Surfaces to Dry
The first step is to allow surfaces to dry. Give the exterior surfaces ample time to dry completely before applying new paint. This drying time is highly important to guarantee proper paint adhesion and avoid problems with bubbling or peeling.
Inspect & Repair
After washing them properly, now inspect the surfaces for any remaining issues, like damaged siding or wall cavities. Fix these issues right away to ensure a stable surface for painting.
Prepare for Painting
Once the surface you plan to paint is dry and any repairs are made, you can proceed with painting your home’s or commercial building’s exterior. Make sure that you use high-quality paint and follow the best application techniques for an attractive finish that is also durable and long-lasting.
Conclusion
In conclusion, preparing your home or commercial building for a new coat of exterior paint involves several steps to confirm a successful outcome. First, you should pressure wash a house to remove dirty siding and reveal any issues with sheathing and wall cavities that need attention. Using an adequate pressure washer with the right settings can clean the surface effectively, but for delicate areas, soft washing is a safer and right option.
Once your house is properly pressure washed, any remaining dirt will be eliminated, providing a clean surface for your new paint job. Always make sure you hire a professional pressure washing company for this job, as they know the best washing techniques, are well-trained, and have the most advanced pressure washing equipment and tools.
Call Chris’s Pressure Washing for Pressure Washing Homes & Businesses
Call Chris’s Pressure Washing for professional pressure washing services, whether it’s indoors or outdoors on your property. We offer our expert pressure washing services to both residential and commercial buildings. We specialize in power or pressure washing, leaf removal, gutter cleaning, low-pressure house cleaning, roof cleaning, and professional window cleaning. We can also clean rust, stains, and graffiti while providing expert cleaning for concrete decks, fences, and driveways. Get in touch with us today!
