Pressure cleaning is the act of cleaning something using water that is under high pressure. Usually, the high pressure water
alone is enough to do the job, however, their are detergents to aid in pressure cleaning for almost anything you want to get
clean.
Pressure washing is the act of cleaning something using water that is under high pressure, using a machine called a pressure
washer.
Pressure washing is usually done by homeowners.
Pressure washers are sold in most hardware stores for under a thousand dollars, and are designed with the homeowner in mind.
A pressure washer would be described as a residential high water pressure cleaning machine.
They are light-weight, have low hp (horsepower), low psi (pounds per square inch), and low gpm (gallons per minute). They
hook up to your outside faucet, and deliver a force of pressurized water of around 100 to 500 times the force of a regular
garden hose.
These machines are fine for the homeowners who want to DYI and spend a Saturday around the house cleaning their walkway or
something small, but house pressure washing or deck cleaning would take forever.
Power washing is the act of cleaning something using water that is under high pressure, using a machine called a power washer.
Power Washing is usually done by professionals, using a commercial grade pressure washer that offers at least 3800 psi (pounds
per square inch) and water flow of (up to) 4 gpm (gallons per minute).
A power washer can be described as a commercial pressure cleaning machine that provides the user with extremely pressurized
water that will clean just about anything when put to the test.
A power washer offers the experienced user speed when handling large pressure cleaning projects.
Horsepower, gallon rate per minute, psi, tip sizes, and the fact that a person using a power washer can regulate the water
force by pulling away, or by using the pressure knob to turn the water pressure down.
Power washing comes in handy for house washing, deck cleaning, fence cleaning, concrete cleaning, and graffiti removal and
really tough cleaning situations.
Power washing machines cost lots of money, and homeowners generally don't own one. Power washers, like their name states -
have power.
House power washing cost is different for each home we do, and depends on how dirty, how high, how difficult.
We do not use chemicals of any kind, the water's high pressure water is enough to restore your home to brand new condition!
The water force we use varies depending on conditions of what we are cleaning, and if you get your water from a well, we may
not be able to clean due to lack of enough pressure.
House power washing can be done as long as lighting isn't striking, and the outside temperature is at least 60 degrees fahrenheit.
House power washing will remove dirt, dust, mold, mildew (black and/or green, algae, pollen, and mud, but it WIIL NOT
remove "artillery fungus Artillery fungus
" spores, and it does not remove black streaks on gutters 100%.
The proper way to power wash a house, is to get up on the surface your cleaning. This means using ladders to reach high
places, and having the washer wand within several inches of the surface your cleaning. It's not easy work trying to hold
on to a heavy hose and water wand filled with water, that wants to continuesly arm wrestle with you, but it is the right way
(or atleast, it's the way we've been doing it since power washers have been in existance - and it works great!).
However,
There are some contractors who use chemicals and stay on the ground, and others might offer a hot water wash and even a wax,
neither of these services do we provide.
For the most part, we only use a power washer to clean decks and fences.
Usually, power washing alone is enought ot clean
the lumber and get it ready for a new sealer.
There are some instances when a mild detergent is used, but we discuss this
before hand, and it will be documented in our agreement.
Some decks may require a soft stripper to remove previous sealer
or stubborn stains, but this procedure is NOT included unless discussed ahead of time, and documented.
In the hands of an experienced user, power washing can quickly clean better than most anything, chemical free, and
with no harm to your deck.
What destroys a deck is when you neglect to take care of it, and water is continuously allowed
to absorb into the lumber. This, along with temperature changes and sunshine, cause soft / loose wood fibers, warping,
cupping, bowing, and splintering.
If your deck has not been regularly maintained, and water has absorbed into the wood
pores, the lumber pulp may already be soft.
If this is the case, power washing will remove anything that is loose already, including loose wood pulp.
...of course,
we did say that a professional can clean without damaging your deck. If you get someone who doesn't know what they're
doing, your deck can be ruined. Although power washing isn't rocket science, it is a talent and not just anyone can do
it.
"Hand wash instead of power wash?"
Hand washing a deck takes more time than simply power washing a deck.
It
involves using a detergent, a few scrub brushes, and back breaking labor. The procedure usually includes applying a cleaning
solution, allowing it set, then scrubbing, then rinsing, then inspection - and repeating the process where needed.
Power washing a house is the best way to make it clean.
If your house already has loose, chipping, peeling paint, then power washing will blow most of it away if you wanted it to,
but for the most part, the experienced user pays attention to what their doing and will not harm your house.
If you have Cedar siding, power washing is not recommended - only gentle hand washing, and if you have aluminum siding
that is old with the original factory finished paint, power washing may rinse away the old finish.
Painting Inc is a Northern Virginia Painting Contractors. We are Licensed & Insured / power washing contractors
/ office painters, Residential house / home painters & Commercial painting. Service include; Drywall repairs, water damage,
water damaged drywall, mold remediation, water damage restoration, Interior painting, Exterior painting, power washing of
composite decking, brick, siding, patios, concrete, walkways, apartments, community associations, gas staions, lots, store
fronts, swimming pools, pool decks, fences, cedar, IPE, House power washing, Deck / fence Cleaning, and composite Decks /
fence Staining / sealing.
