With summer right around the corner and Houstonians eager to be out and about, some last-minute spring cleaning may be just what your business needs to welcome visitors, employees, and others. Pressure washing is a great way to maintain and clean your building(s) and knowing which surfaces can be pressure washed, along with understanding how the process works can help you decide the best timing for your next pressure washing project. Here are a few things to consider this month as Houston’s rainy season begins to come to a close and you decide it’s time to make your building as clean as possible.
What Surfaces are Best to Pressure Wash?
For starters, pressure washing can be done on many different surfaces ‒ the important thing is knowing the type of equipment and distance of equipment to the surface each surface needs, along with other cleaning features. The painting or power washing contractor you hire will know how to use their power washing equipment and will know how to treat each surface with the equipment they have. Otherwise, you risk having damaged surfaces, instead of nicely cleaned ones. Knowing the surfaces and the pressure they can withstand can save you from damage to your building.
The main surfaces to focus on when pressure washing are wood, concrete, and various types of siding. Vinyl, brick, stone, and fiber cement siding can hold up to pressure washing without concern. Aluminum siding can also be pressure washed but it can dent easily under pressure, so a lower power setting needs to be used. Some wood clapboard siding can also effectively be washed. It is important to know for sure if any paint on your building is lead-based which will need to be treated differently.
Your professional power washing contractor must also be aware of the types of detergents that can safely be used on your surfaces, as well as sandblasting heads, if additional abrasiveness is needed for a specific cleaning project. In addition, other power washing equipment parts your contractor should know about include trigger guns, lances, pressure gauges, pressure-reducing valves, rotary brushes, and more.
There are many parts of power washing that are more complex than one might think. Trusting an experienced contracting professional to understand, both the equipment and your building’s surfaces is a smart step on your part. They’ll also know which parts of your building should not be cleaned in this way.
Parts of your building that need to be avoided by a pressure washer include roofs and shingle siding as it can cause shingles to loosen and lead to damage. Instead, these can be cleaned with diluted bleach in a pump sprayer to control any mold or moss growing on these surfaces. This is an important step in cleaning especially because of the humidity we have here in Houston.
When Should I Pressure Wash My Building?
Depending on who you ask, there are a few ideal times to pressure wash your exterior. Some would say that in Houston the winter months are actually the best time to pressure wash. Since we have relatively mild and dry winters, some see this as an ideal window. One thing to consider though is if nights get too cold with the wind chill factor, you could run the risk of causing water to freeze and create damage.
Others recommend pressure washing in the spring or early summer as the prime time to refresh and make your building look new. Some would even recommend doing both–scheduling a pressure washing at the beginning of winter and again at the beginning of spring. Depending on your building’s location and condition, this may be an ideal option for you.
Benefits of Pressure Washing in Houston
The benefits of pressure washing don’t stop at making buildings look clean. Power washing can also help with preventing or lessening allergens in and around your building. No one enjoys seasonal allergies, and by pressure washing, you can lessen the build-up of pollen and other allergens that can affect your employees and customers.
Pressure washing can help prevent grime and water from accumulating too long which could prevent damage to your building and surrounding property. With all the humidity, our buildings here in Houston have just the right conditions for mold and mildew to form. The good news is pressure washing is one of the most-often recommended ways to prevent mold and mildew from forming and growing.
Pressure washing is one of the most important first steps before doing other necessary maintenance like caulking and painting. Even if painting isn’t on your radar, pressure washing is a quick and easy way to make your building look fresh and clean. Scheduling routine pressure washings this time of year can help simplify your maintenance upkeep and can set you up for success in maintaining a well-kept building.
If these benefits aren’t enough, consider your building’s curb appeal. Having a clean and new looking building will draw people in. In addition, pressure washing is a great way to prepare for renovations and help find areas that may need repairs on your exterior and prevent any serious, long-term damage.
Our team at Streamline Painting & More has extensive experience in the process of pressure washing. Contact us for more information and pricing on your building’s next maintenance project.
