Power Washing How Does It Work

Power Washing – How Does It Work?

Are you wondering about power washing and how it works?  If so, you are definitely in the right place.  We will go over everything with you.

Grime and muck incrementally develop on surfaces over years and, without consistent management, can layer enough dirt to be nearly impossible to clean with a spray and a scrub. For those tougher-than-average jobs, there are special tools one may consider while deciding how to deal with it. 

Power washing is an effective manner for getting dirt and build-up off of rough surfaces. While, yes, this method is effective it does come with its own risks and dangers. Before you begin your Power Washing project, it’s important to understand what exactly goes on during the power washing process.  It’s also crucial to hire a professional commercial cleaning services to do the job right!

How the machine works

A power washer is often referred to as a pressure washer because it uses pressure to shoot concentrated water out at an incredible speed. Power washers typically use either a gas or electric engine. The washer is connected to a larger source of water from either a reservoir or hose. The engine forces water through its pipes with an incredible amount of force and pressure. 

When the water is not being shot out of the gun, it cycles internally at a high speed. The user pulls the trigger to shoot it out of the gun and nozzle which are far more narrow than the pipes within the pressure washer. 

The nozzles on the tip of the gun are interchangeable, ranging from a very widespread that is better for dousing large surfaces with water and detergent to a pinpoint narrow hole that shoots water with enough strength to damage surfaces. 

The quickly traveling water within the washer eventually begins to increase in temperature. When the water becomes too hot to remain within the washer without damaging it, a temperature-triggered valve opens to dump that water out so it can be replaced with new cooler water from the source.

How washing works

The added pressure utilized in a pressure washer combines the disintegrating effect of water with the removal force of scrubbing. Think of pressure washing as reducing hours of wet scrubbing into a few seconds of holding a trigger down. 

Lower pressure settings and a wider nozzle are perfect for covering large areas in water and detergent. Letting those things sit on a surface will allow for the chemicals to break down the buildup of matted dirt. 

Then going over those surfaces again with a higher focused pressure wash will push away the mixture and any sediment on the top layer. The built-up filth on the surface will wash away with enough time being pressure washed, but you need to be careful not to apply that power to delicate or living materials.

The dangers and potential risks

The power washer will remove the top layer of most surfaces, but the stream will not discriminate between dirt and the surfaces themselves. If you are dealing with more sensitive surfaces like wood then you’ll probably want to use the lower settings on your power washer because you can greatly damage these materials. You can easily strip away paint or varnish with a power washer and this can be really problematic if it isn’t intended. 

Also, power washing can greatly harm the human body if improperly handled. Many house cleaning services offer power washing, and it’s crucial to hire one rather than do it on you own.

At it’s highest settings, a normal power washer can greatly damage skin and eyes. Under no circumstances should someone look directly into the nozzle of a power washing gun while the engine is running. If you believe there might be a jam, turn off the machine, disconnect the gun, and check then. Also, never spray at a human being with a power washer. 

Tips For Power Washing Success

TIP 1: Don’t spray at a point-blank range

The amount of pressure created by a power washer can be easily underestimated. No matter what settings you have the washer on, it’s best to just never be closer than 3-5 feet from what you’re spraying. 

Being too close can puncture the surface, damage the gun, or potentially cause ricochets that might harm you or someone around you.

TIP 2: Use some detergent

Most power washers have a built-in reservoir for detergent. Pour some heavy-duty cleaner into that part of the machine NOT directly into the water reservoir. Let the detergent-mixed water sit on the surface for a few minutes before spraying it down. 

This will help the dirt break down easier and won’t require as much time and pressure to clean.  In addition, reputable cleaning services will guide you through the process.

TIP 3: Keep the spray moving

When spraying a surface, the washer will rip off and wash away the material it comes in contact with. If the washer already has removed the dirt from the surface it will begin to remove the substance of the material itself. Keep the spray moving and just go over the section again if it isn’t clean enough for your liking.  You can also hire professional power washing services to get it done correctly!

Conclusion

Now that you better understand how a power washer works, remember to make sure safety is you  #1 priority. Power washers are dangerous machines that are not to be treated frivolously.

If you feel like you’re not up to the task of handling such a dangerous machine, consider hiring a professional. If you’re in the New Jersey area, call 201-487-1313 to get a fascinating power wash at a reasonable price from Cleaning World Inc.

We truly hope this post has been informative.  You should now know all about power washing and how it works!