Pressure washing removes dirt and grime, but it isn't designed to strip paint or kill mildew on siding or decks. For the best cleaning results without damaging any surfaces, first test the pressure setting and spray pattern on an inconspicuous place. When washing house siding, follow these rules:
# Lay tarps around the house perimeter to protect plants and collect paint chips blown off during washing. Houses built before 1977 may have lead paint chips that will have to be collected and properly disposed of at a hazardous waste facility.
# Don't hold the spray wand “head on” to the siding. This drives dirt into the surface rather than washing it away. Hold the wand at a 45-degree angle to the siding and at a distance that yields the best cleaning results without gouging wood or denting metal or vinyl.
# Work small areas at a time. To prevent streaks, start washing from the bottom and work up. For even cleaning, use long, overlapping strokes. Rinse the siding by working from the top down.
# Avoid driving water up behind the siding by keeping the spray stream level. Use an extension spray wand for reaching higher places.
# Don't spray windows. The high pressure can break them.
Thu Aug 01, 2013 10:24 pm