How Long Does it Take to Pressure Wash a House

Your house requires regular cleaning to maintain good hygiene and to clear away pests and insects that may dwell in the house due to a dirty environment. Other than the normal dusting and cleaning, a power wash may be required. So, exactly how long does it take to pressure-wash a house? Well, the time it takes to pressure-wash your house will depend on various factors like the size of the house and the kind of machine you have at your disposal.

Factors that can Impact Required Time

The size of a house is the main factor that would determine the time required to complete the job. Small houses of around 1200 to 1500 square feet can take approximately 30 minutes of pressure washing, if you are somewhat experienced. Larger homes can sometimes take from 2 to 3 hours of washing. For example, a 1200 to 2000 square foot house may take between 30 to 45 minutes, 2000 to 2500 one story house may take between 45 to 60 minutes and a larger house of 3500 to 5000 square feet two-story building can take around 1 hr 15 min to 2 hours of washing.

Helpers

The number of workers washing your house also determines how fast the cleaning process will take. Many workers would mean sharing of duties. This simplifies the whole process, making it fast and efficient. Having fewer workers increases the workload, making the whole process tiresome and it takes longer to finish cleaning the house. If you intend to clean the house by yourself, it will take you quite some time and effort to complete the work effectively. A cleaning company is your best option for a faster and more efficient cleaning process.

Experience

Workers from different companies have different levels of experience. You may also have some experience in cleaning your house or using washing machines. This experience plays a significant role in the cleaning process. More experienced cleaning personnel will know where to start, what to use and how long each step will take, which ultimately makes the process faster and more efficient. Someone with less experience or a beginner will take longer to complete the house and conduct all the procedures that would satisfy your requirements.

Equipment

Fast and effective cleaning requires you having the proper tools. Depending on the type of surface in question, you would need a pressure-washer that will serve you without causing damage to the structure or deck flooring. Materials used in the construction of your house surfaces determine the water pressure that should be applied while washing. Stronger non-painted surfaces are best cleaned with a powerful pressure washer in the range of 2500-3200 psi to ensure you can clean strong stains. A house with softer housing materials would require a relatively less powerful pressure washer like a 1200 to 1500 psi model.

The Procedure For Washing Your House

There are several steps to take in washing your house. These steps should be followed systematically to achieve efficiency and avoid damaging your surfaces or other installed equipment such as a satellite dish. The following is a rundown of the steps involved in pressure washing your house.

Protect your Fixtures

Fixtures like lights, flower pots, and landscaping shrubs may be affected by water at its high pressure. To avoid this damage, you should cover them with materials like drop cloths and plastic covers and make sure they are watertight by taping the cover. Other items that can be removed should all be removed and kept outside until the washing process is completed. This is a precaution to enable easy washing and to avoid unnecessary damages.

Scrub Tough Mildew Manually

A power cleaner may not be effective when cleaning tough mildew stains. You should scrub the stain manually using a brush before rinsing it with water and then pressure wash it with a multipurpose siding cleaner. This procedure will leave your wall sparkling clean. In a case where the mildew stain is not hard to remove, just use a pressure washer and it will remove the stain without much effort of scrubbing. This is especially true if you are trying to remove mildew from concrete without resorting to bleach solutions due the myriad problems associated with it as a cure-all.

Use a Mixed Cleaning Solution

You should mix the cleaning solution properly to obtain the required concentrations. It’s important for you to know the correct chemical solutions to be used in this process. This is to avoid using solutions that would corrode your walls. When mixing, you should be aware of the required amounts of these solutions to obtain the perfect mixture to help you remove the dirt easily.

Connect your Water Supply

You can use a garden hose pipe to connect the pressure washer with your water supply. Make sure the hose pipe is long enough to enable you to maneuver easily in and around the house. Your water supply should also be stable for while the washing is underway. The type of water you’re using can affect the efficiency of the process. Hard water is corrosive by nature and can corrode the paint on your walls. Soft water is preferably better.

Testing the Correct Distance

Firmly hold the power washer nozzle 3 feet from the wall. Move closer to the wall while feeling the strength of the spray. Move until you reach a point where the spray is strong enough to wash effectively and still not destroy the wall surface. After finding the proper distance, try to maintain it all through the washing process. This procedure ensures the water pressure does not damage the wall surface and performs the required pressure washing well.

Move Down from the Top

Washing from top to bottom of the house is the best washing practice. You should first spray the roof overhangs as well as the underhangs, gutters, and the roof. The water should be sprayed on the top moving downwards both during rinsing and pressure washing. This practice ensures efficiency. After washing, rinse with plain water from the garden hose pipe from top to the bottom.

Depending on the size of your house and the experience you have in using washing equipment, you will be able to gauge how long it can take you for this process. It is preferably faster and more effective to use an experienced cleaning agency for this work, especially when you have a large house. If you are looking to save some money and have some time to burn through, cleaning your home by yourself is an option, provided you have the correct tools available. Happy washing!