Frequently Asked Questions About Pressure Washing Services

If you've heard of pressure washing but haven't seen it in action yet, you might be wondering what all the excitement is about. It's one of those things that really needs to be seen to appreciate how effective and efficient the cleaning power is, and the dramatic difference it can make to your property’s appearance.

For example, an old, moss-covered brick patio can be made to look spotlessly clean and brand-new again with a good wash. You may not even know what color your outdoor surfaces really are until they've gotten professional cleaning.

Considering if pressure washing services are needed for your property, and wondering what is the best way to go about it? This guide will answer some of the most frequently asked questions on the topic and explain how your home can benefit from a thorough cleaning by the pros at Mr. Handyman of Greater Frederick and Hagerstown.

What Is Pressure Washing?

Basically, it’s the use of high-pressure water jets for comprehensive exterior cleaning that can remove built-up dirt, grime, moss, algae, mildew, oil stains, loose paint, and other unwelcome substances from outdoor surfaces. Pressure is what makes it so effective—washers can produce pressures ranging between 750 and 3,000 psi (pound-force per square inch). This is strong enough to cut through some materials and blast away grime that other cleaning methods can't budge. For comparison, a typical faucet clocks in at around 40 to 60 psi.

Is It Pressure Washing or Power Washing?

Both! The terms are often used interchangeably, but there is sometimes a distinction made between the two. The key difference is that power washers can spray heated water, which is more effective on certain types of substances such as grease.

What are the Benefits of Pressure Washing?

Wondering if pressure washing is worth it? Here are four major benefits of this cleaning service for your home or commercial business.

Avoid Damage

Removing dirt from surfaces obviously helps to improve their appearance. But it also helps you avoid damage to your home by removing substances such as mold, algae, bacteria, grime, and mildew from siding, decks, and other outdoor areas. If allowed to fester, those substances can eat away at surfaces and leave them vulnerable to worse damage such as wood rot.

Prime Surfaces for Renovation

Are your deck and porch ready for a fresh coat of paint or wood stain? Power cleaning can remove old, loose paint and stain far faster and more effectively than sanding, leaving behind a clean, smooth surface to work on. If you're not up to the task of refinishing, or just don't have the time, no problem! Mr. Handyman can take care of painting and staining as well.

Boost Curb Appeal

Appearances aren't everything, but they are important. You may be thinking it's not worth it for just a small change, but it's actually not small. It's a big, noticeable difference that will have all your neighbors asking what you did to get your house in such great shape.

Increase Property Value

If you're thinking of selling in the near future and want to find ways to increase your home’s price, power cleaning should be at the top of your list. A dirty house makes it difficult to impress prospective buyers, but cleaning services also offer a surprisingly excellent return on investment. In fact, washing can sometimes add as much as $10,000 to $15,000 to the sale price of a house.

How Can I Clean My House Without a Pressure Washer?

In a word, laboriously. The most common method of cleaning siding without a power washer is to get a bucket of soapy water and a long-handled brush and start scrubbing away. You'll get an excellent arm workout, but there aren't many other benefits. It's difficult, time-consuming work that, in the end, will be nowhere near as effective as pressure cleaning.

What Can Be Pressured Washed?

Here are some of the many outdoor surfaces and items that can be effectively cleaned:

• Vinyl siding
• Driveways & walkways
• Decks, porches, & patios
• Outdoor furniture
• Large sports & play equipment
• Fencing
• Sidewalks

Is Commercial Pressure Washing Useful?

Business owners know how important it is to keep a well-maintained business to boost credibility. Commercial properties can benefit from all the cleaning services that apply to residential maintenance, and then some. For example, we can efficiently clean an entire truck fleet or get a parking lot back to like-new condition in no time.

What Should You Not Pressure Wash?

As great as power cleaning is, it can't do everything. There are some items and surfaces that absolutely should not be exposed to it, including:

• Anything that shouldn't get wet
• Soft, delicate items and surfaces
• Roof shingles
• People, animals, and plants (it can be used to remove some unwanted plants, but they obviously won't survive the “wash”)

In the hands of an inexperienced amateur, the water jets can seriously injure anything living, and cause damage such as broken windows, holes, and missing shingles. That's why it's important to trust the job to a professional with pressure washing experience, who knows the correct settings to use for any given surface and is trained to avoid injury and damage. Mr. Handyman's service pros have the skill and expertise to wash safely.

Can You Wash a Pressure Washer?

Well, yes... but not WITH a pressure washer. The washer machines have electronic components that would be damaged if exposed to pressurized water jets, so (perhaps ironically) they belong on the list of things that should not be pressure washed.

Mr. Handyman is Your Local Pressure Washing Expert

Whether you're in Frederick, Hagerstown, or a nearby area such as Mount Airy or New Market, you can count on reliable, efficient and high-quality exterior cleaning services from Mr. Handyman of Greater Frederick and Hagerstown.

Give us a call today or request service online to find out more about why we're the best choice for a wide range of handyman services!