When you decide that your old gray deck or fence is becoming an eye sore you can pressure wash it. First things first you need to assess your project get the proper tools and equipment ready for use. Then develop a strategy for cleaning that keeps tabs on what direction the deck drains and move all of the fragile objects that you can. Other items such as windows and fixtures which can be broken by the powerful pressure washer need to be avoided. Make sure that you direct your spray in a way that is congruent with your plan.
Select a tip usually the 15 percent or the “white tip” for the job. The tips attach to the end of the wand that is attached to the pressure washer by a high pressure hose. The tip you use and the PSI of your pressure washer determines the water pressure the smaller the opening the more power will be delivered. You should use a pressure washer with a PSI of 2400 to 2600 for decks as the wood is very fragile and can be splintered easily. More experienced contractors may use a higher psi. I for instance use a 4000 PSI unit. I just keep the spray further away. Using a stronger unit allows you to do jobs a lot faster but you have to be careful.
Whenever using a pressure washer its a must to wear gloves and protective eyewear before starting your pressure washer. Also, check that all hoses are tight and not leaking water; a loose hose can turn into a projectile that can hurt you or break a window or other valuable items.
Start the unit and check the spray. Begin by working away from the wood and then slowly fan the wand toward the starting point from a couple feet away. Make a few practice passes fanning in and out until you have the right distance to clean but not splinter the wood. Make slow, fanning motions to rinse the deck of all gray and algae. If you are going to use a cleaner i recommend a bio-degradable product so not to interfere with the grass or plants around the deck.
After you have fully cleaned the deck allow 24-48 hours for the deck to dry before applying the stain. This is the most important part of the process. After a rigorous beating from the pressure washer the wood is like new and the pours are open again. You must allow the wood to dry. If not you will be setting your staining up for failure as it will not properly take to the wood if it is wet. We will go into staining your deck in a future post.
Click here for information on starting your own pressure washing business.
If you are short on money and barely making ends meet especially with the shape our economy is in there is going to be an a lot of people searching for ways to supplement their income or possibly try to start their own full time pressure washing business because of a layoffs and lack of work . Starting a pressure washing business is a low overhead great way to supplement your existing income or turn it into a full time business.
If you enjoy the outdoors and working hard but not long the pressure washing business is a terrific choice for you. The wonderful thing is that even someone with a smaller budget can do it. If you shop around and know where to look you can buy all of the equipment you need to get started with your own business for under $1000. After initial purchase of your equipment, the only thing left is the gas, cleaner, and insurance of your business. Be prepared for equipment maintenance expenses,even that is very minimal if you own quality equipment, and take care of it.
There are several ways to promote your business without marketing expenses. Some ways you can advertise your pressure washing business for free or for a low cost is to simply hand out business cards or pass out flyers around the neighborhood. You can also get new customers by starting a referral program with your current customers. You can also place free adds on the internet that can help with free marketing.
The easiest pressure washing is pressure washing homes. It usually takes no time at all and you can charge anywhere from 200-500 dollars depending on your work load. You can even get into washing and staining decks and fences which i will talk about in another blog post and give you detailed instructions. Many of these jobs take almost no time. You can also use your pressure washer to clean gutters. Once you get your name established is when you can get into the bigger commercial jobs and actually make a lot better money. The commercial work is even more profitable when you are servicing business’s.
Another great thing is you don’t have to go to school, take classes, have a degree, or even be certified. Pressure washing isn’t that hard and doesn’t take a rocket science to learn. I will however say that it is somewhat of an art once you get good at it.
Click here to learn how to pressure wash your deck.
When learning how to use a power washer it is very important to first understand how the pressure washing and pressure washers function . I am going to discuss some of the basic steps in the pressure washing process which is pretty standard no matter what machine or method you use. The steps and power washer suggestions are: know the minimum amount of pressure needed to do the job sufficiently, use I bio-degradable cleaner, especially if working in the grass, and also be aware that your pressure washer does get very hot.
When using a pressure washer be absolutely sure you read the manual. Running a pressure washer without water cycling through the engine and out the gun is devastating on your motor and will also burn the seals up in your pump. The pump is one of the most expensive parts on a pressure washer. Depending on the model sometimes it is less expensive just to buy a new pressure washer. Always, always keep water cycling through your pressure washing.
Pressure washing is an extremely effective way to do large amounts of work in an extremely short amount of time. When you get your pressure washer ready for use make sure you connect all hoses, and guns before starting your pressure washer. Once all hoses are connected and you have water cycling through your pressure washer turn the switch to on and pull the cord. If the pressure washer has not been started in awhile you may have to choke it. Another helpful tip is to always winterize your pressure washer. If your pressure washer doesn’t start pull the spark plug out as it may need to be replaced if it is foul.
Once you are up and running you are ready to do some cleaning. I suggest starting far away from the surface that you are cleaning just to ensure you do not damage anything. Pressure washing can be extremely dangerous as well. If you are working with a machine the is too big for your pressure washing task you are liable to damage wood, siding, or even yourself. Do not use a pressure washer while on a ladder for obvious reasons. Remember safety first.
