It’s been a while since the driveway by your house was built, and now it looks like something the ancient Mayans had left behind. The grime and some bacterial action have now turned your once crystal clear driveway into a modern-day relic. In your defence, you’ve been washing it regularly. But this situation has only gotten worse as time progresses. So now you wonder what can be done about it. Fret not because there is an entire industry out there that handles situations just like these: the pressure cleaning pros. And they provide their services in various difficult situations, from cleaning the solar panel by yourself with regular house tools that just aren’t cutting or something unsafe for amateurs like cleaning windows of high-rise buildings.
What is Pressure Washing?
Pressure cleaning or power washing uses pressure washers to sanitise surfaces, walls, and windows of residential houses or commercial buildings from debris, grime, bacteria, loose paint, mould, and other similar elements. The parts that can be cleaned could also include patios, outdoor furniture, decks, grills, walkways, vehicles and more.
The most commonly used cleaning agent in this process is water, as most substances can be dissolved by water, which is why it is called a “universal solvent”. This property, along with the high pressure created by the washer, enhances the water’s ability to clean. This, in turn, promotes a mechanical action that loosens the bond and forces out the stains from the area. The ensuing water stream rinses and carries the dirt away.
Based on the type of surface and cleaning job, different amounts of pressure are used to clean the specific surface. Some jobs may be suitable for high speeds that perform the functions very efficiently and quickly. But other jobs may require slow speeds as the surfaces may get damaged at higher speeds.
Different Types of Pressure Washing Jobs
There are multiple types of pressure cleaning jobs, and some of them are:
- Graffiti removal
- Driveways and concrete
- Residential and commercial buildings
- Mould and dirt removal
- High-pressure and low-pressure washing
- Fascia and eaves
- Outdoor timber and pergolas
- Strip and seal
- Tile areas with grout
- Paving and pathways
Factors Considered During a Pressure Washing Job
Care should be taken when choosing the pressure washer for a specific surface. Using the wrong type of machine at the wrong pressures may damage the surface. For that reason, you must consider the following factors.
- Pressure Rating: The pressure rating calibrated in psi of the machine provides you with an idea about the impact the pressurised water would make while removing the dirt.
- Water Flow Rate: This is the amount of water the pressure pump supplies. This gives you an insight into the efficiency and speed of the cleaning system at which it could remove dirt.
- Type of Nozzle: The spray tip or nozzle of the hose used determines the efficiency of the cleaning method. The nozzles are classified by the angle of spray, orifice size and spray pattern.
- Availability of electricity and water.
In Conclusion
In summary, the pros won’t intimidate you with the technical know-how and expertise in pressure cleaning. If proper care and precautions aren’t taken, one could make errors and mistakes that could lead to health hazards and damage to property. Thus, it would be in the best interests of everyone to hire professionals. These professionals have the knowledge and expertise to accomplish the job with the best outcomes. They are equipped with the best tools for different jobs, use top-quality equipment, have good knowledge and experience about the amount of pressure to use, and follow the best safety practices.
