If you’ve decided to paint your home’s exterior or other hard surface that’s already been painted, you’ve got a long job ahead of you. No matter your level of expertise, this kind of endeavor will take several hours if not longer. But what if you must remove existing paint first? That’s another hours-long task to look forward to. And now the final question – which pre-paint treatment is the best, pressure washing or scraping?
AHH, THE JOYS OF PAINT SCRAPING
A committed DIY enthusiast will tell you there’s nothing more satisfying than doing small home repairs and renovation work on your own. If that sounds crazy, you’re not the only one that feels that way. For millions of people, manual labor-intensive work – even around their own homes – is a non-starter. And that’s manual scraping is as a pre-paint treatment. It’s physically grueling. Depending on the weather, you may have to wait hours or days before starting, let alone finishing the job in a reasonable amount of time.
And there are other considerations for Long Island homeowners when it comes to paint scraping. You must buy supplies, often more than once. Scraping paint from wood, brick, or stone can quickly wear down even the best paint scraper you can buy. Why spend your own time, and money on supplies you may never use again, when a pressure washing company could do the work for you, often finishing in only a few hours?
PRESSURE WASHING VS SCRAPING: WHICH IS THE BEST PRE-PAINT TREATMENT?
If you’re up for a challenge and the thought of manual paint scraping doesn’t bother you, have at it. Otherwise, a better option may be to go with a reputable Long Island pressure washing service to do the job for you. With the right equipment and expertise, professional cleaners can have your home’s exterior or another surface prepped and ready for painting in a matter of hours.
THE BENEFITS OF PRESSURE WASHING
For small projects like paint scraping for a one-story home, pressure washing is a better option than doing the work by hand. It’s less abrasive to surfaces like wood, brick patios, concrete, and masonry. These kinds of machines also work on softer surfaces, including siding, tiled areas, and wood decks.
Pressure washing removes many items which adhere to paint
One essential thing to consider when choosing between pressure washing and paint scraping is how well one works compared to the other. When scraping by hand, you’ll likely get tired and there’s no guarantee you won’t miss a patch of paint that needs to be removed. With pressure washing, the chances of missing paint are slim, especially when the work is done by a professional. Because the pressure washer uses water, your home will also receive a thorough cleaning and scrubbing. You’re eliminating debris, grime, mildew, and nasty microscopic life forms living on your home’s exterior. By thoroughly removing all traces of old paint and cleaning at the same time, you’re better preparing for fresh paint than if you were to scrape by hand.
Saves time
Ten times out of 10, an experienced pressure washing company can get the paint preparation job completed quickly and more efficiently than the average homeowner. You won’t have to spend time gathering supplies or cleaning up afterward.
TIPS TO FOLLOW
- Make sure your Long Island pressure washing company uses the right nozzle before starting work, and low-pressure water. In most cases, a 15- or 25-degree nozzle will work fine.
- Cover cars, exterior light fixtures, and plants before the work begins. The company you hire should use lightweight canvas drop cloths to cover plants and clingy plastic to cover doors, windows, and light fixtures.
- Prior to painting, make sure you pick the right primer for your home’s exterior. Consult with a paint professional or paint supply store for the right product advice.
- Give yourself enough time, and plan for inclement weather.
WHY WE RECOMMEND PRESSURE WASHING BEFORE PAINTING
To summarize: Pressure washing is your best opportunity to remove all manner of bugs and debris before painting. It’s critical to clean your house to ensure a new coat of paint has the opportunity to bond with the primer. By removing all the gunk, you can make sure the paint glides smoothly, and not just roll over dirt. But there’s more than dirt to worry about. There also could be mildew or mold, which a pressure washing company can remove by using a bleaching solution to completely remove all mildew from the outside of your home.
Pressure washing is the first important step in prepping your home for its paint job. In addition to pressure washing, our team also sands and scrapes as needed, resets loose nails, primes bare areas, and repairs minor cracks in stucco. By putting in a little bit of extra effort into prepping your home’s exterior, a Long Island pressure washing company will ensure the best paint job possible.
NASSAU & SUFFOLK COUNTY PRESSURE CLEANING SPECIALISTS
For more than 20 years, Majestic Windows & Exterior Cleaning has served hundreds of customers in Huntington, Wantagh, and more communities throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. We pride ourselves on offering expert-level exterior cleanings at affordable prices. All of our technicians are trained and experienced and work diligently with homeowners to explain how a home’s exterior will be cleaned. Call us today at 631-421-2295 for a no-obligation consultation.