This powerful cleaning method can remove dirt, grime, and even stubborn stains in a fraction of the time it would take to do it by hand. But when is the best time of year to pressure wash your house?
Power wash in Spring or Fall
If you’re like most homeowners, spring is when you start thinking about all the projects you’ve been meaning to get to for the past few months. And, of course, this includes the annual ritual of spring cleaning. But should pressure washing your house be on that list, or should you wait for the cooler temperatures in autumn?
Is It Safe to Pressure Wash Your House?
Before we get to the best time to pressure wash your house, let’s answer a common question: Is it safe?
Pressure washing uses high-powered water to remove dirt, grime, and other build-ups from surfaces like driveways, decks, and patios. But because of the power of the water stream, some people are concerned that pressure washing could damage their home’s siding or other delicate surfaces. The good news is that when pressure washing is done correctly, it is safe for your home. Pressure washing can extend your siding’s life by removing dirt and other debris that can lead to wear and tear.
Necessary Precautions
Of course, as with any cleaning method, there is always a risk of damage if you’re not careful. That’s why you should understand the precautions before pressure washing your house.
First, ensure you’re using the correct pressure setting for different surfaces in your home. Experts recommend using low PSI when cleaning vinyl siding, decks, and other surfaces that have softer wood. Using a higher PSI rating for cleaning concrete surfaces and driveways is okay.
Incorrect pressure or power washing techniques can cause damage to several areas. Examples include breaking windows, causing leakage in window seals, damaging your house’s siding, and damaging brick walls by blasting away the mortar. High pressure can also remove paint from surfaces like your deck, patio, and siding.
So how do you adjust the washer’s pressure? The right pressure level will depend on the surface you’re working on. For instance, if you’re cleaning a concrete surface, you can increase the pressure up to 3,000 PSI. However, when cleaning a wooden deck, you should maintain a pressure of between 500 and 600 to avoid damage like splintering and tiger stripping.
Power wash in Spring or Fall
Experts agree that spring or fall is the best time to pressure, or power wash your house. The goal is to avoid cleaning when the temperature is too cold or hot. The best practice is to ensure that you pressure wash your home once per year between March and November when the temperatures are not extreme.
Spring
For several reasons, spring is the best time to power wash your house’s interior and exterior surfaces. For starters, the weather is usually milder in spring, so you won’t have to worry about the water freezing on surfaces or evaporating too quickly. In addition, pressure washing in the spring allows you to remove any dirt, grime, or salt that has accumulated over the winter. This build-up can be tough to remove and can lead to wear and tear on your home’s exterior if it’s not cleaned off.
Some surfaces, such as siding, gutters, decks, and roofs, are more prone to mildew and mold during the winter. If you let the mold sit on these surfaces for too long, it can cause permanent damage. Spring cleaning with a power washer will remove any mold or mildew before it has a chance to do severe damage.
Finally, pressure washing in spring allows you to prepare your home’s exterior for the warmer months ahead. By removing any dirt or debris, you’ll create a clean surface that’s ready to be painted or stained.
Fall
Fall is also a perfect time to pressure wash your house because the outside temperature is not too hot. During this season, it’s easy for leaves to fall and accumulate on your roof, gutters, and deck. The wind may also blow these leaves and debris onto your windowsills and other hard-to-reach surfaces.
Furthermore, there’s a high risk of pollen and dust buildup during the fall. If you don’t remove these materials before winter, they can be challenging to get rid of later on because they’ll be trapped under the snow.
Power washing in the fall allows you to remove all of this debris before it has a chance to damage your home. For example, if you don’t remove leaves before winter comes, they’ll trap moisture that will promote the growth of fungus and mold. The mold may start releasing spores that can cause health problems for you and your family.
Pressure washing your house in the fall also removes sticky materials that might have been stuck on your outdoor surfaces, like patios and decks, during the summer. This includes sap from trees, pollen, and BBQ sauce. These materials can be tough to remove if they’ve been sitting on your surfaces for a long time.
Winter
Although some professionals can power wash your house in winter, you should avoid doing it yourself. The process is more challenging, even when using hot water from a power washer. Water may get into cracks and other areas that not even rain will reach. When the temperature drops, the water may freeze and start expanding. The result is significant damage to your home as the water breaks through the surface.
You can also damage your pressure washer if you use it during the winter. Cold weather can cause the pump and other components to freeze, damaging the washer and voiding the warranty. Another thing is that most cleaning chemicals will be ineffective during the winter because they were designed to be used in warmer weather. You might have to use more chemicals than usual, which can be tough on your surfaces.
If professionals have to wash your house during the winter, they will use various tactics. The goal is to ensure they clean your house effectively without damaging it. Some of these tactics include:
- Cleaning in the Afternoon: The best time to power wash your house in the winter is during the afternoon when the temperature is warmer. There will likely be some sunlight to heat your surfaces and dry the water quickly. This will help prevent the water from freezing and damaging your surfaces.
- De-icing: De-icing is especially vital when pressure washing your home’s exterior. The process involves using sand or rock salt to prevent icing on areas like the driveway and sidewalks. You can also use other substances like calcium chloride and magnesium.
- Avoid Power Washing the Deck: Power washing the deck is only recommended when the temperature is slightly higher than 50 degrees. Pressure washing it during the winter will make the wood trap moisture, leading to mold growth.
- Covering Exposed Areas: If you’re pressure washing your house in the winter, cover any exposed areas like vents and electrical outlets. The last thing you want is for water to get into these areas and cause serious damage.
- Storing the Pressure Washer in a Warm Area: After using the pressure washer, store it in a warm area. This will help prevent the pump and other components from freezing.
Summer
While summer may sound like the best time to pressure wash your home, there are some drawbacks. It will be challenging for you to do an effective cleaning job when the temperature is too high. Using some chemicals in hot weather is also not ideal because they can produce fumes that can harm your health. When pressure washing in the summer, the heat can make removing all the dirt and grime difficult. The water will also dry more quickly, which can leave streaks on your surfaces.
Contact us
BEARCLAW is a Mercer County power washing company that has been performing painting and pressure washing for the past 20 years. We specialize in refurbishing home exteriors, decks, sidewalks and walkways, and roofs. We provide restoration of many surfaces including brick, concrete, roofing, stucco, vinyl and aluminum siding, wood, and cedar shake. Many people do not know that you can bring many surfaces back to their original beauty with the process of power washing.
Service towns in Mercer County, NJ area include Princeton, Pennington, Lawrence, East Windsor, West Windsor, Hamilton, Hopewell, Robbinsville, Hightstown, Windsor, Trenton, and Groveville. With 20 years’ experience, Bearclaw is a professional, high quality power washing service. Phone 609-882-1688 Email NJBEARCLAW@AOL.COM