Pressure washer: The power of water
When Jason Cameron needs to provide a quick boost to a property’s exterior, he turns to one tool: the pressure washer.
And Cameron knows of what he speaks. This licensed contractor is host of two shows on the DIY Network, Desperate Landscapes and Man Caves. He knows what’s easy and what isn’t.
“The pressure washer is such an important tool,” Cameron said. “There are so many applications for it. Unlike a regular garden hose, which won’t give you the pressure you need, you can use a pressure washer to remove dirt and grime and build-up from just about any exterior surface. And that’ll leave your home looking so much brighter.”
The pressure washer is also an economical tool when it comes to using water. Cameron said that it uses 70 per cent less water to complete an average job than does a typical garden hose.
Cameron recommends using a pressure washer to remove the gray that builds up along concrete porches over the years. It can also remove green mossy patches that collect on house siding.
Cameron does advise homeowners to stay 12 to 16 inches away from their homes when using a pressure washer to clean siding; the fan tip gives a wider swatch of water when the user stands farther away, which allows people to clean more area in less time.
Homeowners can also turn to pressure washers to brighten faded pavers, cinder block walkways and deck surfaces. Basically, any surface rugged enough to handle the pressure could benefit from a quick pressure wash, Cameron said.
He said that pressure washers that provide 1,800 pounds of pressure per square inch (psi) are best for washing down a house exterior.