| Power Washer |
| Pressure washer surface cleaning tips |
From "Home Maintenance"
episode DHMW-105 |
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In this second segment host Tim Hockenberry provides tips and general information cleaning your deck and other surfaces with a power--or pressure--washer.
Power Washing- Some pressure washers come with an assortment of color coded spray tips. Each one has a different spray from the high pressure pin point spray to a wider low pressure spray. A tip that gives you a spray about the width of a 2x4, with medium pressure, is perfect for washing decks.
- Assemble pressure washer by attaching hose to the intake valve and the "wand" to the appropriate nozzle.
- Make sure the safety latch on the wand is in place and then start the motor. It starts just like your lawn mower, but keep in mind that once the motor has started, pressure starts building up right away, so don't let the motor idle for long. The jet from a pressure washer can be 50 times more powerful than a garden hose. So it can do a lot of damage if used incorrectly.
- Release the safety lock and point the wand away before pulling the trigger. Never point the wand at another person.
- With a steady "sweeping" motion, move the spray back and forth across the deck surface. The trick is to keep the spray moving. You don't want to rest in one spot for too long or it could permanently damage the surface. Steadily move the jet back and forth across the entire deck. You will see a difference on every pass. You can even add in a cleaning solution to help with those tough spots on the deck.
- Let the deck dry and then apply a sealer to protect it from the elements.
- While you are at it, you can also use the pressure washer to clean other surfaces around the house. You can use it on your brick walls to make sure every nook and cranny gets clean. And, with a lower pressure spray tip you can even clean siding. It is also good to remove algae stains from a backyard fence and to help prevent mold and mildew on your siding.
- You should not have to clean for another couple of years.
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