As the warm weather of summer starts to blossom across the United States, people are spending more and more time outside. While the green grass and fresh breeze are appealing, what may not be so appealing is the exterior condition of your home, walkways and other features of your property.
Staying indoors for the winter usually means that you may not have noticed just how grimy and dirty your home has become on its exterior, and you may feel compelled to pressure wash it. However, understand that some times of the year are better than others when it comes to pressure washing your home for the best results.
Power Washing DIY vs. Commercial Options
Pressure washing, sometimes called power washing, is one of those tasks that many people plan to pick up as a DIY project before summer gets into full swing. However, it is important that you are aware that pressure washing is much more complex than simply aiming a high powered hose at your exterior.
In fact, improper pressure washing techniques can actually damage your exterior, which is why it is wise to rely on a commercial pressure washing service instead of tackling the project yourself. DIY may be appealing in the short term, but remember that a commercial washer can save you time, hassle and money in the long term by preserving the integrity of your exterior surfaces instead of damaging them.
Best Weather Conditions for Pressure Washing
The weather plays a significant role in how successful pressure washing will be. While it is true that cloud cover or windy days will not make the pressure wash any less effective, they can have unintended consequences by obscuring dirt that would be easy to see in the sun.
Similarly, it is unwise to pressure wash your home and exterior surfaces in cold weather because the water may turn to ice after it has settled onto a surface, causing damage.
Another factor to consider is what sort of substances are making your home and walkways dirty. In general, it is wise to wait to pressure wash until the weather becomes warm, but if you notice that your home is particularly susceptible to griming up from pollen, you may be better off by waiting to pressure wash your surfaces until springtime is over and the pollen drifting through the air has settled.
Thus, for many people, the beginning of summer is the best time to pressure wash. However, the good news is that this project is flexible, and with only a few exceptions, it can be molded to suit your needs.
Deciding to Pressure Wash Can Be Flexible
As mentioned previously, there is no single “best” time to pressure wash. The beginning of summer works for many people simply because it is a convenient combination of generally good weather, more free time, a renewed desire to spend time in outdoor spaces and the ability to simultaneously remove both dirt and residual pollen from surfaces.
However, many families also elect to power wash their exterior in the fall, before the temperature drops too low and winter sets in. This helps to clear away any rotting debris and detritus from autumnal trees that have shed their leaves, and it prepares exterior surfaces to be robust against the cold weather, snow and ice.
Thus, the time of year that is best for pressure washing is nearly as flexible as you are. Just remember that pressure washing in cold weather where ice is a possibility is not recommended; ice expands and can damage surfaces such as brick exteriors by degrading the mortar.
In addition, one of the benefits of pressure washing is having the water carry debris and dirt away from your home. If the water freezes once it has picked up all of these contaminants, you are simply freezing dirty water onto your property. And that leaves a mess to clean up in the spring and summer.
Work With The Reputable Commercial Pressure Washing Experts
Whether you have already attempted to pressure wash in preparation for summer and need assistance or would like someone to handle the project for you so that you can spend your time on other things, be sure to work with the experts.
The technicians at Waterproof Caulking & Restoration are experienced with the care and maintenance of a home’s exterior surfaces, from masonry repair to proper pressure washing that does not degrade your outdoor surfaces. Reach out to schedule an appointment to discuss your goals and set up a time for commercial pressure washing so that you can be prepared for the summer season.