Libbey's Power Washing (2024)

FAQs

How long does power washing a house last? ›

The Lifespan of a Power Wash

Generally, your house can look clean for one to three years after receiving expert power washing from a respected business like JD Power Washing.

The only difference is heat. A pressure washer uses high pressure to output water powerfully in order to wash away grime, dirt and even paint. A power washer does the same thing, but uses heated water.

The best soap to use in a pressure washer depends on the surface you're cleaning. It's best to choose a soap that works well for all surfaces, such as Krud Kutter Pressure Washer Concentrate and Sun Joe All-Purpose Pressure Washer Cleaner.

Clearing away the old finish, grime, mold, mildew, and other impurities in the wood—as well as the graying layer of the wood that was exposed to the sun—will allow the stain to absorb evenly into the wood. After you power wash, allow the wood to dry for at least 48 hours before you begin applying the new stain.

Experts agree that spring or fall is the best time to pressure or power wash your house. The goal is to avoid cleaning when the temperature is too cold or hot. The best practice is to ensure that you pressure wash your home once per year between March and November when the temperatures are not extreme.

If you have an average 2,000 sq ft house, you can expect pressure washing it to take between two and four hours. A smaller home will go quicker, and a larger one will take longer.

Use Pressure Washer Detergent

Soap and water is always a better cleaning combination than water alone. Better still is pressure washer detergent. Most pressure washers come with an injector to mix cleaning solutions right into the jet stream. Only use solvents that say "approved for pressure washer use" on the label.

Things like roofs and siding can't withstand high-pressure water as they can be damaged, therefore the preferred method is to use soft washing. Often, a chemical mixture is applied to vinyl siding or an asphalt shingle roof (any delicate surfaces for that matter) to effectively clean surfaces.

As the pressure washer forces the weed out of the cracks between your tiles, it can lift the mortar or cement that it's grown through. Over time, you'll find that your slabs become loose and may even start to lift. This can cost a lot of money to repair, so treating the weeds properly is preferable.

Why does my wood appear fuzzy after pressure washing it? Pressure washing removes the outer layer of dead wood, and can sometimes make it look like it has short fuzzy hairs. This is caused by the tearing of the wood fibers. This is normal and does not indicate damage.

Is it better to power wash a deck or use deck cleaner? ›

Using a pressure washer may seem like a quick and easy way to clear out all the accumulated dirt and grime; however, you need to be aware of the damage it may cause. If you have timber deck boards, a power washer's pressure may cause splintering and damage to the timber fibres.

Power washing cleans and preps the surface, stripping away dirt, grime, and old finishes, revealing the raw beauty of the wood beneath. However, this is only half the battle. Sanding is the next critical step, smoothing the surface and preparing it for sealing or staining.