How to Pressure Wash Your Home

Pressure washing your house is an excellent way to erase the signs of dirt and debris that can accumulate over time. You may want to power wash the exterior of your house to increase curb appeal, prepare for a new paint job or simply enjoy a cleaner facade. With the right equipment, you can make your house look brand new again.

If your home’s siding is vinyl, stucco, aluminum, wood, brick or steel, you can use a pressure washer to clean it. As professional painters, we are well-versed in the do’s and don’ts of power washing. Remember that power washing is not your typical DIY project — treat the process with care or call our professionals for help.

What You Need for Exterior Power Washing

If you decide to power wash your house, you’ll need the right tools to get started. Some homeowners decide to rent their equipment or invest in a personal power washer. Regardless, you’ll need to find the best hardware before learning how to use it. Here is our comprehensive list of what you need to prepare for power washing:

• Pressure washer: The perfect pressure washer for your home will depend on your siding material. Power washers use a high-pressure spray function, measured in pounds per square inch (psi). A higher psi provides a stronger wash. Vinyl siding can withstand high pressure, whereas aluminum, stucco, brick or soft-grain wood need low-pressure washes. Non-professionals should typically not exceed 2,000-psi equipment.
• Various nozzles: The different power washer nozzles determine your spray pattern. Low-degree nozzles (zero-15 degrees) are better for surfaces that require a high psi, while high-degree nozzles (25-40 degrees) are suitable for low psi needs. You can find color-coded packs of nozzles at any hardware store.
• A hose and water supply: Home pressure washers will connect to your house’s water supply, typically via a garden hose.
• A cleaning solution: You can use store-bought pressure washer chemicals or create a cleaning solution in a large bucket. Consider using a phosphate-free laundry detergent, mixing a third cup of detergent with a gallon of warm water.
• Eye protection: Invest in a pair of protective goggles to guard your eyes against high-pressure water, spray back and any loosened debris.
• Scrubbing brushes: You may need to manually scrub certain parts of your exterior before your power wash.
• Extension wand or scaffolding: Homeowners with two-story houses should never use a ladder to pressure wash. Make sure you have solid footing while operating your equipment. To do so, you may need temporary scaffolding or an extension wand.

Before you begin power washing the exterior of your house, make sure to repair any holes or cracks in the masonry. The high-pressure spray can worsen these spots if exposed.

Steps of Pressure Washing Your House

Once you have all the necessary equipment, you can get started. Along with our how-to guide, it’s important to check your pressure washer’s manual for specific setup directions. This manual will identify specific processes for best use. If this is your first time power washing, practice holding and operating the equipment before proceeding.

Here’s how to pressure wash a house:

1. Prepare the Area

Protect anything near your home that you don’t want covered in water or cleaning products. This includes plants, outlets and patio furniture. Ensure all windows and doors are closed, and clean any excess dirt, mud or debris away with a brush before starting.

2. Spray the Detergent

Insert the pressure washer detergent hose in a bucket of detergent or fill the pressure washer’s cleaner tank with solution to begin the cleaning process. Attach your low-pressure nozzle to the wand and stand 3 feet away from your house. Spray a wide section with your solution and work upward. Spraying upward helps you get every spot and reduces patchiness. You may need to reach for your scrubbing brushes to get any tricky areas.

3. Apply High-Pressure Wash

Attach your garden house to the pressure washer mounts. Grab your safety goggles and switch to a nozzle with an appropriate pressure for your surface. A 40-degree nozzle is typically suitable for wood, painted stucco, painted brick, vinyl and painted siding.

Begin rinsing your siding from top to bottom. If you need to spray overhangs or gutters, adjust your hold to create a 45-degree angle between the wand and the surface.

4. Let Dry

Once you’ve rinsed every part of the exterior siding, you can allow nature to do the rest. Wait at least two days for the walls to fully dry before repainting if desired.

Tips for a Perfect Power Wash Job

Pressure washing a house does not take very long, but it helps to have a bit of expertise. When done well, pressure washing should take less than 2 hours. If you’re hoping to do a DIY project, we recommend the following tips for power washing your house:

• Avoid electrical outlets: Prevent electrical shortage by covering each of your outlets with duct tape before power washing.
• Keep pressure washer away from others: Never spray people, pets or plants with your power washer.
• Choose a day with mild weather: Spring or fall are great times to pressure wash your home. If it’s too hot, the cleaning solution may dry before you can rinse it off.
• Start with the second story: If your house is larger than one story, start your process with the top half. Make sure to use scaffolding or an extendable wand if you’re doing it yourself.
• Treat your equipment with care: Power washers are serious pieces of equipment. They can be bulky or heavy, so make sure you can physically handle them before investing in a DIY project.

Pressure washing your house can dramatically improve its appearance. Some people even pressure wash their fences, driveways or back decks. If you want to transform your home but don’t have the tools or the time to do it, you can contact us at Rent Painters. We offer affordable power washing services for any home in the Washington, D.C., area.

Contact Rent Painters for Power Washing Services

Pressure washing your house may not seem like the do-it-yourself project for you. With our team at Rent Painters, you can trust the experts to get the job done safely and effectively. Whether you’re hoping to repaint your siding or want to erase years of mold and mildew, we will pressure wash your home with excellent results.

When you request our pressure washing services, we bring our own equipment so you can save money on the cost of DIY projects. We also protect your investment in our service with a two-year warranty and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Homeowners have trusted our team since 2010 for reliable, transformative power washing services.

To learn more about how we can help you, contact us online for a free quote. Call (202) 706-7539 if you have questions!