Preparing Your House for a Pressure Wash

By BWS

Preparing Your House for a Pressure Wash

You have decided the time is right to pressure wash your home. Here are some basic precautionary actions you can take to ensure it all goes safely and has the best possible result.

1. To avoid internal water damage, make sure all doors and windows are tightly closed, without any gaps. Secure ventilation or other openings during the power wash. If any windows are even slightly cracked, have that repaired first. If there are leaks or gaps that just cannot be closed inform your professionals before they begin, or stay clear of that area if it's a DIY.

2. All moveable items that should not be pressure hosed need to be moved right away from the house wall area before the wash begins. Such items include furniture, tools, vehicles, and electric or electronic items in particular. Anything that is left too close to the water area may still be sprayed with dirt, spiderwebs, fragments of paint, foliage, and whatever else the washing process brings down.

3. Those things that cannot be moved away but still need protection can be covered with a tarp or other strong waterproof sheet.

4. Ensure electrical safety. Close off all external power points or open sockets. Unplug or remove extension cords.

5. Make sure your pets and any small children are safely inside or away from the area during the time while the building is being pressure washed.

6. Plants will need protection also, as the force of the water blast can damage them. Potted plants should be moved away. Garden plants can be covered with a sheet of plastic. If you or your professional are using eco-friendly detergent then the water itself will not harm the plants or the soil they are growing in. If bleach or certain strong detergents are used then you may want to cover any garden soil below the house walls, as well as the plants themselves. Covering the soil will also facilitate cleaning the lower part of the house walls, as there won't be wet dirt spraying up from the ground.

7. If you are doing the pressure wash yourself, be very careful around windows. The force of the blast can sometimes shake the pane in its frame, particularly in some older homes, and in worst case instances may break the glass. Similarly, avoid pressure spraying outdoor lighting.

8. After the house has been pressure washed you may find residual dirt and debris around the base of the walls. Once dry, this is usually easily cleared away with a broom or a blower.