If you’ve got a tough cleaning job ahead, it’s only natural to wonder what’s the fastest and most effective way to get the job done. Let’s say you’re renovating your first house and realize the cement patio’s been painted several times, or you’d like to freshen the siding with a coat of paint but it’s a filthy mess. You can, of course, attempt to remove paint the old-fashioned way – with lots of elbow grease and only-god knows how many paint scrapers. Or, you could call a Long Island pressure washing professional for some quick advice.
Most pressure washers have a tank and special nozzle for dispensing soap or cleaning solutions. Depending on your cleaning task, there’s probably a purpose-made cleaning solution that might speed the job along and make it a bit easier. Degreasers are ideal for driveways, and a multipurpose house wash solution will assist in removing detritus from siding or patio surfaces.
Calcium and lime deposits
Fountains, pools, retaining walls, and other hard surfaces can accumulate calcium and lime sediments over time. Hard water creates such mineral deposits which are hard to remove. Scale can also be removed by experienced pressure washing services.
Chewing gum
Ahh, chewing gun – it’s not just for your bedpost overnight. It’s simply one of the stickiest, hardest things to remove from any surface, like concrete driveways and other kinds of hard surfaces. Pressure washing works wonders on nasty gooey globs, even if there hardened and been trampled in place. The trick is utilizing hot water while spraying the gum to get it to melt. Using a 4000 pounds-per-square-inch (psi) setting and working the surface in a fan pattern should remove it quickly.
Deck stains
Yes, pressure washing can remove a deck finish, but it demands precise care, so you don’t damage the deck. A pressure setting of 1500 psi should suffice. Hold the sprayer approximately 3 inches off the deck and move the sprayer in the same direction as the grain.
General-purpose stains
Pressure washing experts will add specialized detergent to the water, turning the tool into a powerful stain remover. With the right cleaning solutions, you can lift stains from wood and vinyl siding, driveways and walkways, paving stones, decks, and other materials. You can even use a power washer to lift stains off the roof of your house. Most detergent mixes work on all kinds of stains left by dirt, leaves, and other detritus from algae, built-up grime, and other stains.
For unusually tough stains, pretreat with the soapy mixture and a stiff brush. We also recommend you consider using an environmentally friendly, water-based and biodegradable product.
Graffiti
Unless you commissioned Banksy for graffiti, you’ll want to remove it from your property, and few tools are better at this than a pressure washer with a 2000 psi to 3000 psi setting, especially for stains on concrete or brick. For brick and metal surfaces, we recommend first using a chemical product, then a power washer to clean away any lingering paint and residue.
Mold and mildew
As any Long Island pressure washing professional will tell you, mold and mildew needs to be removed from wherever it grows on your property. It can lead to damage and destroy your home and health. Pressure washing is an efficient way of removing mold and mildew from many surfaces, like glass, concrete, pavers, roofing, wood, and siding. By combing a mold and mildew remover with a pressure washer, you can also get rid of the stains mildew and mold leave behind.
Oil and grease
Remember when your sister’s boyfriend left his beat-up VW Beetle in the driveway, and your father discovered oil and grease stains afterward? What a pain to remove, but with power washing, you can remove those stains from the garage, driveway, and walkway in short order. You’ll need a degreasing solution and a power washer capable of a 1700 or higher psi setting. Tough stains may require some pretreating followed by a high-pressure nozzle.
Paint
Peeling or flaking paint on a fence, siding, or a brick surface is a pain in the butt for any homeowner. Long Island power washing makes it easier and quicker. As a precaution, do a patch test before you fully begin to make sure the high-pressure spray won’t damage the surface you’re cleaning. Spray a tiny area and then adjust the pressure as required. Then, work in sections and maintain sprayer movement for the best result.
When removing paint from a wood surface using a pressure washer, be sure to spray with the grain of the wood. If any thinner or stripping chemicals have been used to remove the paint, be sure to rinse thoroughly with the power washer to ensure good paint adhesion when the new coat is applied.
Rust
If you have metal surfaces with spots of rust, using a pressure washer with a 3000-psi setting and a narrow-angle nozzle will power away rust in short order. The compact water jet is powerful enough to get rid of rust and save you some time if you have to scrape and sand.
Call Our Long Island Pressure Washing Experts
Majestic Windows & Exterior Cleaning has been a preferred window cleaner in Suffolk and Nassau counties and Long Island proper for 20 years. Whether you need windows cleaned or have a need for pressure washing services, contact us online today or call 631-421-2295 for more information.