Tips and Tricks for Wilmington Power Washing
Many homeowners and business owners rely on Wilmington power washing to keep their properties clean. Power washing—the process of using pressurized water to remove debris from exterior surfaces—is a highly effective way to restore beauty to your little part of the community. However, the effectiveness of power washing relies on the skill level of the individual doing the work. So, if you are planning to power wash your own surfaces, our tips and tricks will make the process all the easier for you!
We are Riptide Pressure Washing, and we are the go-to source of power washing in Wilmington, NC. We’ve learned a lot during our time serving the community, and now, we’ll share some of that knowledge below.
1) Know Your Enemy (Or Surface)
Who was it that said that “knowing is half the battle”? In any case, there is a lot of truth behind this statement. By preparing for the fight ahead, you’ll make things a lot easier for yourself. This is especially true when power washing your surfaces. You see, every kind of material needs to be treated with a different amount of water pressure. By choosing the correct amount, you’ll ensure that surfaces are cleaned safely and effectively. This is where it pays off to research what you’re washing ahead of time. That way, you know that you’re using the right techniques for your power washing project.
We’ve included a few examples of the materials you may encounter during your work, as well as how much water pressure you’ll need to clean them:
- Concrete: 2,500–3,500 PSI
- Wood (Decks/Fences): 500–800 PSI
- Vinyl Siding: 1,300–1,600 PSI
- Stucco: 500–1,200 PSI
2) Give Yourself Ample Time
If you are planning to do your own Wilmington power washing, it’s important to realize your limits. You’re human like the rest of us, and that means you can’t perform miracles. And it would be a miracle if you somehow cleaned your entire home exterior in an hour or two. Unfortunately, this work is time-consuming, and the worst thing you can do is fail to plan ahead for that. Don’t miss important commitments because you got caught up with power washing—lay out your schedule accordingly so you have time for everything!
We recommend giving yourself at least five hours for all your power washing needs. For large projects, such as power washing your entire property’s exterior, it may be best to set the entire day aside. It’s better to have too much time than not enough with this sort of work.
3) Protect Yourself
Safety should always come first no matter what you’re doing. When power washing your property’s exterior, protecting yourself is particularly important because pressurized water poses a real safety risk. If mishandled, you can accidentally spray it on your bare skin, which will bruise or even slice it. To prevent this from happening, always be mindful of where you are pointing your power washing hose, and never squeeze the nozzle unless you’re sure that you are aiming at a surface that needs to be washed.
Additionally, you should wear safety equipment to protect yourself in case something goes wrong. We recommend eye protection, closed-toe shoes, and full-length pants. If you don’t have these items already, and you plan to do your own power washing, go and get them!
4) Use Cleaning Solutions When Needed
Sometimes, when power washing surfaces, water alone won’t be enough to finish the job. You might come across stubborn debris that simply won’t rinse away even when using high-pressure water. So, what should you do? Shrug your shoulders and give up? Don’t do that—instead, rely on the power of cleaning solutions to ensure immaculate results!
Cleaning solutions are specialized chemicals that quickly break down debris that would otherwise put up a fight. One such example of these cleaning solutions is sodium hypochlorite. To use this cleaner, simply apply it to the area afflicted with stubborn debris. Then, give it a few minutes to break it down. Finally, power wash the area, and you should find that any and all grime disappears before your eyes.
5) Know Your Limits
No two power washing projects are the same, and how challenging your project will be depends on what you’re working with. So, while you may feel capable of power washing a small patio, you may find that power washing all your home’s exterior surfaces isn’t as feasible. You may even be faced with an overwhelming project such as parking lot or parking garage power washing. In these scenarios, if you begin to feel like do-it-yourself Wilmington power washing isn’t the play, consider reaching out to a professional business. For example, at Riptide Pressure Washing, we would be happy to fulfill your power washing needs!
By scheduling an appointment with us, you won’t have to do any of the physical labor associated with power washing. This allows you to spend your time and energy in other ways. You could relax inside, go run errands, or even visit your friends. In the meantime, we will power wash any exterior surfaces you pointed out to us, and we’ll make sure they are spotless. In return for our services, all you have to do is pay a reasonable custom price.
Cost of Professional Wilmington Power Washing
How much will our professional power washing cost? Ultimately, this depends on the size of your project. To ensure that every customer receives a fair final cost, we will review the surfaces that need to be cleaned at the beginning of the appointment. Then, we will provide an upfront quote based on the overall size of the project. This means that whether your job is big or small, you’ll pay a price that makes sense. There are no hidden fees at Riptide Pressure Washing, either! Reach out to us anytime by contacting us online, and we’ll even give you a free cost estimate. We hope to hear from you soon.
