Whether you’re trying to sell your property or simply keep it looking its best, regular house washing is important. It helps remove cobwebs and can even prevent the growth of moss and algae.
A professional soft wash service uses low-pressure water combined with specialized detergents, algaecides and surfactants to clean the exterior surfaces of your home. This process requires tarps and ladders for the higher areas of your property.
Pressure washers
Many light-duty pressure washers run off your home’s electricity and are compact, quiet, and easy to move around. These units can be used for short cleaning sessions and can power through dirt, mildew, cobwebs, wood stains, stone pavers, and concrete sidewalks. They’re also good for removing bird droppings and degreasing the undercarriage of your pickup truck.
Patios and driveways get dirty quickly and need frequent washing. They can be cleaned easily with a pressure washer and are a popular usage case for house washers.
There are many different types of nozzles for use with a pressure washer. Look for a set of color-coded interchangeable nozzles or an all-in-one adjustable nozzle. Avoid zero-degree tips, which are more likely to damage surfaces. You should also be careful when washing electrical equipment such as outdoor light fixtures, outlet receptacle covers, doorbells, or backup generator cabinets as high-pressure water can cause corrosion and potentially lead to a fire. The best nozzle for your job will depend on the surface materials you’re cleaning and whether there are cracks in the surface.
Ladders
Whether you’re completing a painting project, changing a light bulb or scaling a rooftop, ladders are a necessary tool for many jobs. But choosing the right ladder is about more than height — it’s also about safety, application and durability. Understanding the different types, grades and materials of ladders can help you make an informed choice.
Ladders come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, but all must meet certain standards. These include: checking the ladder’s stability before using it; ensuring that the ladder is placed in the proper location, with an adequate ratio between the top support point and the foot of the ladder; using an appropriate climbing technique; and inspecting a ladder before each use to ensure it is clean, safe and in good condition.
It’s also important to avoid working on a ladder if you feel dizzy, sick or tired. These conditions can cause you to lose your balance and fall off, which can be a serious injury.
Protective clothing
Many types of clothing restrict airflow and inhibit evaporation of perspiration, increasing the risk for heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Specialized protective clothing, including aprons, coveralls, coats, pants, hoods, sleeves, gloves and fully encapsulating chemical protective suits, can help prevent these health hazards.
Look for a jacket that is rated to be 100% waterproof and avoids zippers, which can break in high-pressure water. You should also invest in heavy-duty rubber gloves that resist punctures and tears and keep out oils, corrosive chemicals and debris. You should also use safety goggles that completely protect your eyes from the spray of the pressure washer.
Ask your employees how often they plan to launder their PPE garments and whether they are willing to do it themselves or if they will send it out for laundering. If they choose to do it themselves, make sure the garments are washed separately from family laundry. Also, make sure that launderers are trained to properly clean PPE garments without compromising their protective properties.
Plants
Whether you’re using a pressure washer or soft washing, it is always a good idea to cover any flowers, plants and bushes that may be effected by the cleaning solution overspray. The plant cover can be as simple as a large sheet or can be something more elaborate, such as a covering that is specifically designed for the job and can fit over your entire garden area.
The house wash process is a chemical removal method that combines low to moderate water pressure with specialized detergents and algaecides. The type of surface being cleaned will determine the algaecide/detergent strength and mixture ratio – a typical bio-friendly wash for smooth surfaces uses a mix of 1% to 3% sodium hypochlorite (commonly known as SH) to water. Porous surfaces such as brick and Stucco will require a higher concentration of SH.