Pressure Washing Beginner Tips

Jet washing is often a neglected chore since the dirty and grime build-ups on the exterior of your home is barely noticeable in most cases. However, pressure washing the premises just once can definitely bring out the brand-new look of the surfaces and clearly show you astonishing results. The pressure washers can be tricky to use and even cause some damage to the surfaces you’re cleaning if not used properly. 

In this article, our cleaning experts in London are going to introduce you to a few different tips on how to handle such tasks efficiently and remain safe during the process.

Understanding what type of pressure washer you have in hand is probably one of the most important details to consider. The two types you can stumble upon are gas or electric pressure washer. The machines have a fairly simple functionality. They use a pump to have decent water pressure flowing through the hose. The pump is generally powered by gasoline or electricity. The two types have their pros and cons that any user should be aware of.

Gas pressure washers

• PRO: The gas-powered jet washers are more powerful and allow you to clean faster & more efficiently
• PRO: These machines are cordless. You don’t have to rely on a nearby power outlet. The mobility is definitely a serious benefit as it provides comfort and a chance to clean anywhere around the house.

• CON: Gasoline engines, even smaller models, require more consistent maintenance. Besides frequently changing the oil, you also must ensure that you’re using the correct fuel additives, especially if you plan to store it for long periods of time & use it in the future.

• CON: Jet washers that run on gas are significantly louder than electric ones. Along with that, they produce emissions, making them quite inappropriate for use indoors.

Electric pressure washers

• PRO: Jet washers that run on electricity do not produce harmful emissions. If you ever need to use it inside the house or in covered spaces - it is going to be a great choice.

• PRO: Electrical engines require lower maintenance and you don’t have to worry about changing the oil.

• CON: They are not as powerful as the gas model. Cleaning larger dirty areas will take significantly longer to get them as clean as you want them to be. And in many cases, it might not be the perfect result you expect.

• CON: Electric pressure washers require a power outlet to function, which makes them way less portable.

The nozzle regulates the angle of the water stream, which is important as it affects what the water stream is supposed to do. If certain premises are really dirty - a narrow-angle spray will help you get through the grime easier as it is more powerful than the large-angle spray.

The nozzles have universal colour labelling for each type, let’s look into them.

• Red - the red one has a zero degrees angle, which is the narrowest one on the list. If you plan on using this nozzle, be aware that the stream can cause a lot of damage. You need to be really careful especially when you’re cleaning a surface that’s up close to you.

• Yellow - The angle you get with the yellow tip is a 15-degree angle. This one is perfect for washing concrete around the house.

• Green - A 25-degree angle that is most commonly used for pretty much any household jet washing. Many people use it when they’re about to wash their cars too.

• White - Known as the easiest to use, the white tip is probably the user-friendly nozzle every beginner should consider using in their first pressure washing sessions. It produces a 40-degree spray. An absolutely reliable choice for all-around exterior home cleaning.

• Black - This tip produces a 65 degrees spray angle and is the gentlest of all nozzles. It won’t actually get rid of almost any dirt & grime. This nozzle is most commonly used for making a certain surface wet.

Pressure washing can seem like a piece of cake, yet can be a messy job and even dangerous if not performed correctly. Of course, it is not rocket science, but there are a few things to have in mind before you jump into your first jet washing experience.

• If you’re going to use a strong & louder machine, for example, a gas-powered pressure washer with a red nozzle, it is recommended to wear eye & hearing protection. Especially if you’re going to use it for some time - the loud noise can be quite annoying. Along with that, the high pressure of the water will result in debris and water spraying back to you. Wearing protection for your eyes and hearing is not mandatory, yet it can be really helpful for you to get used to it and build up confidence in the process.
• Hold the wand carefully with both hands in the beginning. The more powerful sprays can easily get the wand jumping out of your hands - be careful!
• Keep 15 inches or 40 cm distance from the surface you’re cleaning. That way you’ll lower the risk of unwanted damage to the surface.