Effective Pressure Washing Tips for Beginners in 2024

Are you worried about the lost shine of your house? Or listed your house for sale but not getting enough buyers? Then, it is time to give your home a spa treatment and bring that refreshing look back. Yes, we are talking about pressure washing. If you are a beginner, our guide lists the top expert pressure washing tips.

Scroll down to get all the insights of that super clean house wash!

• Choose the Right Pressure Washer
• Pressure Washer Size
• Nozzle Selection
• Specialized Adjustments
• Safety Tips
• Pressure Washing Tips
• Extra Tips for Pressure Washing Different Surfaces
• Maintenance for Lasting Pressure Washing
• FAQs

Beginner-Friendly Pressure Washing Tips

As a beginner, pressure or power washing might seem overwhelming to you. But we have some expert pressure washing tips to make the process easier. Let’s explore!

Tip 1 – Choose the Right Pressure Washer

First things first! Choosing the right pressure washer is the key to effective results. Pressure washers mainly use either gas or electricity-powered pumps. Both have their pros and cons. Moreover, it also depends on the surface you are cleaning. Let’s quickly compare them:

Gas Power Washer	Electric Power Washer
They are high GPM (gallons per minute) and PSI (pounds per square inch) and are ideal for large areas.	They are low-powered and are not suitable for cleaning expansive areas.
Best for removing tough stains, paint, and cleaning decks.	Best for small cleaning tasks.
High maintenance costs, such as changing fuel.	Low maintenance costs.
Produce much noise.	Don’t produce much noise.
They don’t require electricity and are easy to use.	Requires power and connectivity to an electric socket.
Emit fumes which are not suitable for health.	Don’t produce harmful emissions.

Tip 2 – Pressure Washer Size

Next comes the selection of the right pressure washer size. It is essential to choose the right power engine according to the task. Heavy-duty tasks require a high PSI and GPM. Here are the types of pressure washers according to size:

• Light-Duty Pressure Washers: Under 2,000 PSI
• Medium-Duty Pressure Washers: 2,000 to 2,800 PSI
• Heavy-Duty Pressure Washers: 2,900 to 3,300 PSI
• Professional Pressure Washers: Over 3,300 PSI

Tip 3 – Nozzle Selection

Now that you have a pressure washer in hand, what’s next? After this comes nozzle selection. Nozzles help adjust the water angle, and every surface requires a specific nozzle for best results. Here are the five nozzle colors available:

 

Nozzle	Angle	Use
Red	0°	A direct stream of pressurized water is ideal for stubborn stains.
Yellow	15°	Best for pressure washing concrete.
Green	25°	The most suitable pressure angle is used for multiple cleaning purposes, such as siding, cars, windows, and more.
White	40°	Best for windows and siding.
Black	65°	Used to spray water mainly before cleaning.

Tip 4 – Specialized Adjustments

Another expert pressure washing tip is to use specialized adjustments with nozzles to make the process easier. Here are some attachments to consider buying:

Attachment	Use
Surface Cleaner	Cleaning broad concrete surfaces but short on time? Use a surface cleaner such as a spinning bar to spray water on an expansive area.
Rotary or Turbo Nozzle	Finding difficulty in cleaning tough stains? Combine a red nozzle with a turbo one to produce zero-degree spinning water.
Expandable Wand	Cleaning a high surface or a space far away from the water source. Use an expandable wand and expand your reach.
Soap or Detergent Reservoir	They are used to apply cleaning agents to surfaces.

Tip 5 – Safety Tips

When pressure washing a house, safety should be your priority. As per statistics, over 7,000 people were admitted to emergency alone in 2022 due to improper pressure washing. Here are some safety tips that are a must-follow:

• Wear proper safety gear such as:
  • Eye and ear protection and gloves.
  • Long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
  • Sturdy shoes with rubber soles to prevent you from slipping.
• Ensure to cover your plants and any electric sockets before pressure washing.
• Keep your pets away.
• Don’t power wash windows.
• Repair any cracks before power washing to prevent water from letting in and moisture from causing damage.
• When power washing, follow safety tips such as holding the power washer wand tightly.
• Moreover, follow the safe distance guidelines to avoid causing any damage. Maintain a minimum of 18 cm distance when pressure washing any surface.

Tip 6 – Pressure Washing Tips

As a beginner, you should not pressure wash everything on your own. It seems enjoyable to hold that wand and revive the old shine of your house. But wait! Any mistakes can result in hefty repairs. Here are some surfaces that are best left for professionals:

• Any surface with old paint or lead paint.
• Roofs built of asphalt shingles.
• Windows, air conditioners, and outdoor lighting.

Do you want a house look that keeps buyers coming in? Then follow these quick pressure washing tips for beginners:

• When pressure washing, an adequate water supply is a necessity. You must not want to leave the process in between due to water shortage.
• Choose a proper nozzle for different surfaces and change the nozzle as required.
• Divide a large area into smaller sections, such as a driveway, into 4×4 sections. This helps clean surfaces more effectively. Also, it helps achieve even cleaning results.
• Use overlapping strokes for best results.
• Try using detergents for tough stains and grime. But ensure using proper and eco-friendly ones. Such as bleach is a good option.
• Rinse the surface properly after pressure washing. Moreover, ensure rinsing the surrounding plants to clean any detergent that may have fallen on them.

Tip 7 – Extra Tips for Pressure Washing Different Surfaces

Did you know that every surface requires specialized pressure washing? Well, this means you cannot wash wood and concrete in the same way. Let’s see how to pressure some most common surfaces:

• Concrete: A high GPM pressure washer is ideal for cleaning concrete.
• Siding: Be gentle when power washing siding. Use a green or white nozzle with a gas power washer for best results.
• Wood: Gas-powered pressure washers work well for wood surfaces. Moreover, wood takes much time to try so be mindful of applying sealant immediately after pressure washing.
• Window, Patio, and Roof: These surfaces are prone to damage due to high pressure. You don’t want that glass window to break in the cleaning process, right? Then, use soft wash cleaning for the roof and other delicate areas of your house.

Tip 8 – Maintenance for Long-Lasting Pressure Washing

Proper maintenance is key to a long-lasting pressure wash. If you want the results to last a longer time, ensure cleaning surfaces properly. Apply sealants to protect the surfaces. Save big bucks by spending time on maintenance.

FAQs

What Are the Best Tips For Pressure Washing?

Pressure washing on your own might seem complex. But with these quick tips, you can get that shiny look in no time:

• Choose a suitable pressure washer.
• Take proper safety measures.
• Clean the surface before doing pressure washing.
• Use soft washing for delicate surfaces such as windows.
• Use overlapping strokes to avoid causing damage to any surface.
• Ensure proper maintenance to protect surfaces in the long term.

What Is Better than Pressure Washing?

Soft washing is a preferred option for cleaning delicate surfaces. If you don’t want to cause any damage to your roof or siding, hire a professional softwashing company. Moreover, check this comparison of soft washing vs power washing to help you understand both better.

Conclusion

That was a wrap-up on our beginner-friendly pressure washing tips. Take proper safety measures and get that sophisticated, clean house look. Happy cleaning! 

Furthermore, you can also check out DIY vs professional power washing differences. 

If you are short on time or want professional pressure washing, TN Wash is the perfect solution for you. Contact our experts today for a house look that makes you go wow.