Newsletter

View Home Maintenance Guide RSS feed

Exterior Home Maintenance - Tips for Using a Pressure Washer

Pressure washers can help you keep the exterior of your house clean. This article offers tips on using a pressure washer.

Over time, the siding and brickwork on your house accumulates dirt, grime and mildew. Using a pressure washer to clean the exterior of your home can clean and refresh the surfaces. Pressure washers have high-pressure sprays and will work much better than the average garden hose or the soap and bucket method.

Here are some tips for using a pressure washer:

  • Choose the right tip or nozzle for the pressure washer. Some nozzles could damage your home's exterior.
  • If you are using soap or chemicals, be very careful. Cleaning solutions may be harmful to some exterior surfaces. Never allow the soap or solution to dry on your house before rinsing it off.
  • Before you begin pressure washing, always test the spray in an inconspicuous area of your house.
  • Stay back at least 12 feet while spraying and always spray at a downward angle to avoid damaging the siding. Spraying upwards or straight on could cause water to seep into the walls.
  • Start pressure washing at the top of the house.
  • Do not point the high-pressure spray directly at electrical boxes or windows.
  • Make sure that your eyes are protected. Debris may fly from the house while you are spraying.

Related Articles

Smarter Water Usage: Five Ways to Save Water Around Your Home

These five simple ideas will help you conserve water in and around your home. Combining home maintenance and repair with some simple changes in your habits can have a very positive impact on water conservation.

Roof Inspection - Performing Regular Inspections on Your Roof

An important part of home maintenance is regular roof inspections. This article offers tips on inspecting and repairing the shingles on your roof.

Exterior Painting - Tips for Painting Your Home's Exterior

Is the paint on the exterior of your home beginning to peel or fade? Then a new coat of paint is what you need. Painting your home's exterior can be one of the most challenging home maintenance tasks. Read this article for some tips on how you can make this painting process go as smoothly as possible.

Gutter Maintenance- Cleaning Your Gutters

Cleaning your gutters is an important and often neglected aspect of home maintenance. This article dicusses gutter maintenance and offers tips on cleaning your gutters.

An Open Letter to Mortgage Borrowers Waiting for a Bailout

This is an open letter addressed to all of the struggling mortgage borrowers (and their lenders) sitting on their haunches waiting for the government to come to their rescue.

Mortgage Bailout Bill Moves Forward Despite White House Veto Threat

U.S. Senate lawmakers have decided to press on with their unethical and irresponsible mortgage bailout bill despite a veto threat from the White House.

Where the Presidential Candidates Stand on a Mortgage Bailout

The housing crisis is a big issue for many voters. Not surprisingly, John McCain and Barack Obama offer vastly different plans to solve it. Let's see where they stand.

Fed Report Shows Americans Have Less Home Equity Than Ever Before

Falling prices are eroding the value of U.S. homes. According to a new Fed report, the equity that Americans have in their homes has dropped to the lowest level on record.

Survey Says Most Renters Won't Buy a Home

A survey commissioned by a national federation of state and local apartment associations shows that most renters will not be jumping into the U.S. housing market anytime soon. Has renting become the smart decision?