Check Off Your Summer Pressure Washing Checklist

Summer is the perfect season to roll out the pressure washer and spruce up your property's exterior. The hot weather is a contributing factor in the growth of common nuisances like mold, mildew, and algae. With all the parties, BBQs, and get-togethers people throw over the summer, it's also a perfect time to bump up your curb appeal and make sure your home is ready to welcome guests! Here are some ideas to kick off your summer pressure washing crusade this year.

House Washing

Algae and mildew growing on your sidings can form ugly, slimy stains that undermine your home's appearance. Leftover pollen from the spring may also be sticking to your sidings, dulling their color and triggering allergic reactions. House washing is an ideal way to get rid of all of these nasty substances and more while enhancing your home's brightness and color!

Be careful about how you tackle your house washing though. Some types of exterior walls and sidings, such as painted wood or stucco, can be harmed if pressure washed too closely or with overly high pressures. Soft washing is the safest bet when doing your own house washing. Just make sure that the detergents you use are residential-grade and designed for the type of material you're working on.

Window Cleaning

Another place where soft washing can help you spruce up your home is on your windows. Clean up your windows to help your home shine in the summer sunlight and to help more natural lighting find its way into your home via clean glass. Spritzing and scrubbing your interior windows with window cleaner and newspaper is one thing, but you need a more efficient option when cleaning your exterior windows.

Soft washing your windows using a low-PSI spray that's fanned out at a wide angle lets you cut through grime and spots quickly, giving your scrubbing arms a break. However, you're working with glass, so caution is key. Keep your pressure washer on the lowest pressure setting, use a 40-degree fan width, and keep your nozzle about 10 feet away from the glass. Don't forget to squeegee after you're done so that no water spots are left behind!

Driveway Cleaning

If you're expecting company over this summer, you want to maximize your home's curb appeal. While your driveway is a very utilitarian surface, it's also a prominent feature of your home's facade, and a messy driveway will drag down your curb appeal! Now's a good time to clean it up!

Start at the top of your driveway and slowly work your way down to the street. This will help wash the dirty water away from the driveway, rather than letting it sit there to soak back into the surface. Also, treat the stains on your driveway with a degreaser before you fire up the pressure washer. It'll make the stains easier to remove.

Sidewalk Cleaning

Planning a backyard BBQ or pool party? Make sure your sidewalk is clean and presentable for a welcoming and beautiful home atmosphere!

The project begins by thoroughly sweeping the sidewalk to remove any loose debris. Then a pre-treat occurs for the entire surface with a concrete cleaning solution specifically formulated to break down tough stains, like oil, grease, and paint spills. This solution will dwell for a designated time to ensure maximum effectiveness. Once the pre-treatment has had time to work, we will utilize a high-powered pressure washer with a surface cleaner attachment. This attachment ensures even cleaning and reduces the risk of damage compared to a standard nozzle. The pressure washer will be operated at a low-pressure setting appropriate for concrete to remove dirt, grime, moss, algae, and mildew without damaging the surface.

Additionally, you should protect your landscaping from the detergent before you clean. We recommend you hose down surrounding grass and foliage with clean water shortly beforehand. The water-saturated plants will be less likely to absorb excess cleaner. Also, lay down some tarp below the areas you'll be cleaning as an added layer of protection.

Greet The Summer With A Freshly Cleaned Home

Tackling these pressure washing goals will go a long way toward improving your curb appeal, maintaining your property's exterior surface materials, and protecting your property's value. If you don't have the time or the ability to take on your own pressure washing, though, no need to worry. DK Landscaping offers house washing, driveway washing, and numerous other residential pressure washing services to help New Jersey homeowners maintain properties they can be proud of. If you'd like our hand in cleaning your property this summer, give us a call at 973-464-3661.