How to Safely Pressure Wash Siding

Pressure washing removes mold and grime from the surface, enhancing the colors and bringing back its original luster. You can find a variety of power washers online that will help you pressure wash siding on your house’s exterior without any hassle.

Pressure washing siding Tampa FL

To use this method effectively, it is important to understand how much water should be used on different types of materials so as not to cause any damage. Make sure you have all necessary safety precautions in place before beginning the project!

Pressure washing is typically done with a gas-powered or electric-powered washer. Before you begin, it is important to consider the surface material of your siding. Wood, stucco/brick, and vinyl are common exterior siding materials in today’s housing market. Different materials require different amounts of water pressure. Power washers operate at a maximum range of 2500 to 4500 psi (pounds per square inch). This can be difficult to judge without prior knowledge, so it is important to read the manual that comes with the machine before beginning any project involving power washing.

Running too much water through your house’s exterior wall can lead to damage just as easily as running too little water. The general rule of thumb is to use no more than 1/4 gallons per square foot for different types of siding materials. For example, you should only direct about 25-50 PSI at vinyl siding, 50-150 PSI at stucco or brick, and 150-200 PSI at wood. This can vary with the pressure washer that you are using as well as volume setting on your machine. Be sure to check before power washing!

Power washing vinyl siding

One easy way to see if you have applied the right amount of pressure is by checking for wet paint patches after power washing. If there are small puddles forming under wet areas where they shouldn’t be, then there might be too much water being used. If you are still unsure, have the machine turned off and listen for water leaking from your house’s walls. If there is no leak, then the power washer should be working fine.

To prevent accidents, make sure that everyone stays at least 20 feet away from whatever surface you are power washing. Hold the wand in a slightly upward angle to avoid hitting plants or other objects on your lawn. Be aware of what is around your exterior walls as well as windy days which might blow debris toward wet surfaces!

Never assume that there is enough water coming out of your machine; always check it before any project starts to ensure safety and effectiveness! Another thing to note about hard-to-reach areas: never use a tip extension. The extra pressure generated by the extension will cause a leak in your house’s walls if it is not always held straight. If you follow these simple precautions, then power washing your exterior walls should be a breeze!

To reinforce that safety is a top priority, here is a short video on on pressure washing safety!