Northern Illinois Windows Services Power Washing

Power washing, as a cleaning method, has been increasingly popular in the past several decades and will become even more popular in years to come. A lot of times people put too much effort into cleaning their cars, boats, patios, grills and the exteriors of their houses. By practicing these pressure washing tips you will overcome the burden and you will finish any of these jobs much faster than any of your neighbors. If you just follow these simple pressure washing basics, your home exterior cleaning will be short and painless process by using the right tools.

Here are some valuable power washing tips:

1. Choosing nozzles and/or tips . For using pressure washer efficiently you need to choose the correct nozzle and/or tip. The majority of our machines come with interchangeable spray tips that serve two purposes. One is to lower the pressure and draw the detergent; and the other is for high pressure rinse at the different spray angles. Our pressure washers come with several color-coded tips/nozzles (red, yellow, green, and white) that vary from 0 degrees to 40 degrees. As a general rule the smallest angle delivers the most powerful "punch." For example, it you want to remove a stubborn smudge from you driveway you will use a 0 degree angle. However, if you want to move debris (such as leaves, sand, etc.) away from your house you will use a wider angle such as 25 or 45 degree nozzle. Caution: be sure the nozzle/tip is completely attached before using the trigger gun. Failure to do so may result in the tip becoming the projectile and may be lost or it may damage the property and/or harm persons.
2. Using chemicals. Use only chemicals and pressure washer cleaning solutions that are approved for pressure washer use. We offer a Super Film Remover and Citrus Degreaser. Super Film Remover is mainly used for car washing and light dirt or road film. Citrus Degreaser is used for removing heavy greaser and industrial cleaning. All of our pressure washers come with the detergent injector, which allows for continuous, uninterrupted flow of the cleaning solution into the water stream. If you buy unapproved detergents they may not be environmentally friendly and they may be dangerous for pressure washer components. One solution might work well for the concrete, but it could harm the wood.
3. Testing the power. Test your pressure washer for its power. The best is to start spraying few feet away from any object. Slowly bring your wand to 3-4 feet distance from the surface you want to clean. Move your wand side-to-side a couple of times and check if the surface is clean. If additional cleaning is needed, move your wand gradually closer to the surface (approx. 1-2 feet). The reason for the gradual cleaning is because pressure washers are extremely powerful and if you start too close you could damage the object instead of cleaning i
4. Planning what to clean. Be careful when spraying around windows, postage box, flowers, vents, eaves, or light fixtures. They can break or become damaged if aimed directly at them. In addition, keep the trigger gun pointed downwards so that you don't spray under the siding. This will prevent the siding from collapsing. Also, be cautious when cleaning the edges around the windows. Small, unnoticeable holes can leak water inside your home. In order to prevent this check for any holes, dents and scratches on the frame of the window.
5. Pressure washing. Pressure washing is similar to painting. If you get into "happy mode" you may start spraying everything and everywhere. These random power wash sprayings are not thorough and detailed, they will make you miss spots and you will waste your time by cleaning places twice. To overcome this, spray horizontally with smooth left to right movements. In one strike cover 3-4 feet wide area. To prevent streaking, start from the top and work your way down to the bottom.
6. Pausing before rinsing. Since you used the cleaning solution, you have to give time for it to do its job. You should allow 5 to 10 minutes for the detergent to start dissolving the dirt, but do not let it sit too long so that it dries out. When ready to rinse start at the top and work towards the bottom until entire area is detergent free.

Do's and Dont's When Power Washing

• DO wear proper eye, face and hand protection when operating the equipment and power washing.
• DO attach nozzles and/or accessories completely before starting the machine.
• DO keep hands and feet clear of the cleaning nozzle at all times.
• DO consider using a special cleaning agent if the surface shows heavy dirt and grime.
• DO follow the equipment manufacturer's directions with respect to distance between the spray head and the surface -- typically 6" to 10" while power washing, although this varies with the PSI and spray width settings. (Moving too close may harm the surface; staying too far away may be ineffective.)
• DO work from the top of the wall to the bottom, rather than vice versa. Otherwise, dirt and mildew will run down over the already-cleaned section.
• DO direct the water at a downward arc when cleaning wood substrates. Spraying wood head-on can damage the siding.
• DO power-wash the surface thoroughly.
• DON'T fill the fuel tank while the engine is running
• DON'T leave the nozzle in a closed position for more than a minute or two while the equipment is running. The pump may overheat.
• DON'T try to repair a leak in the hose or connection while the system is under pressure
• DON'T aim the power washer at an upward angle when cleaning lap siding. This can drive water behind the siding. Also, the force of the water can lift the siding from the wall
• DON'T spray stucco, brick or masonry walls straight on. The force of the spray can cause water to penetrate cracks in the walls and cause damage within.
• DON'T aim the spray at windows or glass doors. The force is strong enough to shatter them.
• DON'T let the machine run for several minutes without pulling the trigger gun.
• DON'T point the wand to an animal or a person during the power washing process.

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