Pressure Washing Tips For Beginners – Part 2

In a previous post we discussed pressure washing for beginners and offered information and advice on how to choose the right unit for the work at hand and discussed the differences in the many pressure washing units for sale and rent. In part 2 we are going to explore further some of the other things that a do-it-yourselfer will want to know prior to and during the pressure washing of their home or place of business.

Your Nozzle Of Choice

The size of the nozzle you use while pressure washing determines the angle of the water stream. You might not think it but this is important but it can affect the efficacy of water and even cause damage if you are not careful. Fortunately, nozzles are color coded for both the eager do-it-yourselfers out there as well as professionals.

Red Tip - Crimson colored nozzles indicate a zero degree angle. This nozzle produces a stream of water that can cause severe injury if misused and so great care should be taken when using this high powered nozzle. Never use a red nozzle when you intend to clean a surface up close.

Yellow Tip - Yellow pressure washing nozzles create a spray with a 15 degree angle. This type of nozzle is best utilized on concrete around homes and offices. Its hard edged spray can cause injury so again...be cautious with this one.

Green Tip - This nozzle is a wonderful all purpose type of nozzle. Producing a spray at a 25 degree angle, this nozzle can effectively clean cars, outdoor furniture, patios, decks, walkways, and of course brick. There are more specialized nozzles for all of the aforementioned jobs but this is a great nozzle of choice when you can't afford many different ones.

White Tip - White tipped pressure washing nozzles are one of the safest nozzles as they produce a 40 degree stream. This makes pressure washing safe for windows, siding, and other quasi-fragile surfaces. Although it is still dangerous to the human body, the spray from white pressure washing nozzles is more forgiving when accidents occur.

Black Tip - The most gentle pressure washing spray is produced by black nozzles. Shooting out at a 65 degree angle, the stream is light enough for all surfaces and is best used during the beginning and end of a job when you are either wetting a surface or applying protectants at the end of a job.

Miscellaneous Attachments

In addition to the many standard nozzles that are made for pressure washing, there also exists a number of attachments that make a job easier to complete and help produce better results. Consider any or all of the following when undertaking this type of work at your home or commercial building.

Surface Cleaner - This attachment is a spinning bar that helps distribute water over large areas. Using a surface cleaner attachment can save you a great deal of time by coating areas such as driveways or expansive walls in a fraction of the time it takes without one.

Rotary Nozzle - For obstinate stains, excessive build up, and even mold, a rotary nozzle is the way to go. These nozzles are sometimes referred to as turbo nozzles because they produce a harsh zero degree stream. It's hard spray removes the most problematic of debris from surfaces.

Pressure Washing Broom - This handy attachment takes the single jet of water leaving your pressure washer and splits it into two, three, or four powerful streams. This attachment is extremely useful in situations where you either want to clean a large area or multiple areas all at once.

Wand Extender - For those places on a home or building that are out of reach there is the wand extender. This attachment allows users to clean 2nd and 3rd story surfaces as well any others that may be just a bit or far out of reach. Expanding wands can add inches to feet to your reach.

Cleaning Solution Reservoir - These container-attachments allow you to add cleaning and protective solutions directly to both your pressure washing unit and its stream. When utilizing this attachment you'll want to remember to use a nozzle that doesn't produce too high a stream as it will force soap to the surface and then cause damage.

Getting Professional Help

Pressure washing can be a daunting and frustrating task when you lack the proper tools, experience, and time to be efficient. Never be afraid to contact a professional pressure washer when you find yourself in rut, frustrated, or when you are not seeing the type of results you'd like to see. Most professionals will gladly give you advice and point you in the right direction. Their services can also save you all the headache, hassle, and time that come along with this type of work.