Cleaning a patio with a pressure washer, whether it’s constructed of brick, pavers, concrete, or even wood, is an efficient way to clean. You can easily get rid of grime, slime, and debris that has built up over time. Though a pressure washer’s blasting strength can be utilized to jet wash in an eco-friendly manner, even when no detergent is used, sometimes it’s necessary to use one.
A pressure washer is an extremely useful tool, but not everyone has one. Luckily, you can rent one from a hardware store, garden centre, or other such establishments. You should only use a washer that is as large as you are comfortably able to manage on your own.
This will help to ensure that the washer is an effective jet wash while also reducing the risk of injury.
Safety Protocols for Pressure Washing
It is imperative that the following safety measures be taken when using the pressure washing method:
- If you care about the well-being of your eyes, you should wear protective eyewear. Small objects, such as pebbles and sticks, can be thrown up by a jet wash and hit you in the face or eyes. Put on some goggles to shield your eyes from debris and maintain your vision unimpaired.
- You can use plastic sheeting as well as trash bags to secure your windows and delicate doors. It can be an awesome way when it comes to detering burglars and other trespassers from targeting your home. You cannot just wear eye protection and assume everything is going to be fine; always make sure your house is all set and secure. This is especially true if your deck or patio is close to the impacted area.
- Always use the correct amount of pressure on your pressure washer. Surfaces can be harmed by the washer if the pressure is set too high.
- Cracks and craters on the surface of your patio or deck are something you want to avoid at all costs. If you want top-notch outcomes, it’s best to consult with an expert. They will do the job thoroughly without damaging your property in any way.
7 Steps to Clean Your Patio with a Pressure Washer
Step 1: Be Prepared
It is one of the most important and first steps to make sure you are all set for the jet wash. You should not enter the undertaking unprepared. It’s crucial that you know exactly what you’re entering into and take all necessary measures.
Hire a professional crew to do the pressure washing work if you lack the necessary experience or equipment. The force of a pressure washer is strong enough to etch masonry, so be careful while using it on your wooden deck. The same holds true for the patio you built out of bricks and concrete.
The least effective pressure should be used. It is best to first try out your pressure washing settings in an inconspicuous region.
Step 2: Remove Furniture
Remove all chairs, tables, fire pits, and other items from the patio or deck area before giving it a good pressure washing. You can now give your surfaces a thorough jet wash thanks to the extra room and ease of access provided by this solution.
Furthermore, patio and deck furniture are vulnerable to damage from pressure washers; to avoid losing your investment, relocate the pieces to a safe distance from the intended cleaning areas.
Step 3: Sweep Away any Debris
In all seasons, snow, rain, sleet, and wind will batter your patio and deck. Leaves, twigs, and other organic and inorganic waste and pollutants will accumulate on your surfaces over time.
Make sure all debris is removed from surfaces before applying pressure. This provides the room and access you need to do a thorough cleaning and jet wash.
Step 4: Set Up the Pressure Washer
Hook up the water supply to the pressure washer by turning it on and releasing the trigger for about 20 to 30 seconds. When you buy a new pressure washer, it usually comes with all the accessories you need to connect it to your garden hose and outdoor faucet.
To speed up the water flow, rewind the hose and take the next step by untwisting any kinks. Run it off of the wall outlet and turn it on.
Step 5: Start Pressure Washing
Pressure cleaning should be done after all debris has been swept up and furniture has been relocated. If you are cleaning a surface with stains that are particularly difficult to remove, you may want to use a cleaner in addition to pressure washing.
Remember that improper washing techniques will allow impurities to build up and eventually ruin the surface’s grains and fissures. So pay special attention to cleaning these areas.
Wooden patios should be pressure washed with the grain, not against it. The likelihood of getting splinters from the water jet wash is reduced if you do this.
Step 6: Use the Lance Correctly
Standard patio cleaners and lances may struggle to remove stubborn dirt and organisms like lichen. The rotary pencil jet wash nozzle found on most pressure washers can increase pressure by as much as 80%. If you switch to this lance, you can wash away any grime, no matter how entrenched.
These lances have some outstanding power, so keep in mind that you should only use them on hard surfaces. The best example is stone or brick. Wooden or car surfaces that are more sensitive to water damage could be ruined if cleaned with this lance.
Step 7: Rinse Off
Rinse the surfaces thoroughly after you’ve finished pressure washing them. After using soap for pressure cleaning, it is important to rinse in the right manner. Soap residue once dried and sticky will attract even more dirt and filth to your patio or deck.
Pressure washing will be undone if soap is left on the surfaces. So be sure to give everything a good rinse afterwards. When you’ve finished this process, give the deck or patio some time to dry.
Always turn off the power and drain the water from your pressure washer when you’re done using it. Then, activate it again and pump the trigger to get rid of any residual hot water. Stop what you’re doing and let the patio dry out.
