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Brick homes can suffer from white discoloration or efflorescence, which requires careful cleaning to remove it. This article was edited and updated by Michelle Ullman, who is the tool and home improvement expert for The Spruce. For this roundup, she received extensive input from pressure washer testers who put pressure washers (20 in total) through their paces around their own homes. We tested 20 pressure washers in our own homes around the country.
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You need a pressure washer set at 2,500 to 3,000 psi to clean your house’s driveway. For other areas, like the vinyl sidings, decks, or glass, the pressure should not exceed 1,500 psi. For soft materials, like softwood, you should use even lower pressure, around 500 to 600 psi.
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Models with a higher gpm will clean faster and more effectively because they’re using more water. Before buying a pressure washer, it’s important to consider how each model’s accessories and specifications affect its user experience. Our team determined four factors to consider to help you find the best pressure washer for you.
Electric Vs. Gas Power Washer prices
The noise level was average, as well—although it seems loud, it's about the same as many others we tested. Painted, soft-grain wood siding, stucco, and aluminum siding are best treated with 1,200 to 1,500 psi models. For delicate stucco, it’s also best to use a 25- to 30-degree wider spray nozzle to disperse water over a wider area and with less force, preventing any gouging or nicking. When power washing vinyl siding or other rugged, unpainted materials like brick, stone, and steel, it’s recommended to use a machine rated for 2,500 to 3,000 psi. Pressure washing fiber cement siding is not recommended and may void the siding’s warranty. If you opt to pressure wash this kind of siding, be sure to use less than 1,500 psi—and a wide nozzle.
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In essence, preparing your house for pressure washing is about safeguarding both your property and the environment around it. These pre-treatments will help remove these stubborn spots more effectively during any follow-up pressure washing. Hold the wand with two hands and move it across the siding from side to side at a steady pace.
Whether you’re washing the car or blasting years of accumulated dirt off the side of your house, you’ll see dramatic and quick results. They’re also fun to use, so much so that you may find yourself begging to clean your neighbors’ siding, driveways and cars once you’ve finished your own. Stanley’s electric pressure washers are all made by AR Blue Clean and appear to be the exact same, but with yellow paint instead of blue.
Other pressure washing tips:
For houses with brick, siding or stucco, there are specific steps you need to take. For cleaning vinyl siding, you should use a pressure washer set to 1,300 to 1,600 psi. Start with a low psi setting and some distance, and slowly increase the pressure.
When you’re done cleaning, pull up all the plastic sheets, tarps, drop cloths, and tape. Refer to the machine’s manual and store the pressure washer appropriately. Failing to drain the remaining water or detergent from the washer may damage it. For cleaning the exterior of a house, a heavy-duty gas-pressure washer is ideal. Gas-powered washers generally have higher flow rates, measured in Gallons Per Minute (GPM) to clean quickly and more effectively.
• Electric versus Gas-Powered Pressure Washers
Attach the garden hose to the pressure washer and attach the spray nozzle labeled for applying detergent. You will need two types of pressure washer nozzles to clean a house. First, you will use the soaping nozzle to apply the detergent, then either a 25 or 40-degree nozzle tip to pressure wash.
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It's likely to help, but I wouldn't count on the machine alone to do a really thorough job. I find that I get the best results when I use a pressure washer in conjunction with hand tools. Power washing can be dangerous and downright scary for most of us. If you’re not up for such an extensive DIY project, you can always reach out to our home improvement experts in your area.
Connect the pressure washer to the outdoor faucet through an ordinary garden hose, attach a nozzle (see “Selecting the Best Nozzle,” below) and start the engine. Wear goggles to keep paint chips and dirt out of your eyes, and clothing that can get soaked. Spread old sheets or painter’s cloths on the ground and over shrubbery to catch paint chips. Patch damaged joints and allow the patches to dry for at least a week before you clean the house. Saturate the brick with water using a gentle, low-pressure spray before you apply detergent.
The type of pressure washer you select can make a big difference in both the ease and effectiveness of the job. Direct the spray away from breakable objects like windows and outside lights, and remove house numbers and window boxes whenever possible. Rub your hand over the painted surface and look for a powdery light-colored residue, the sure sign of chalking. Pressure-washing will scour it off to ensure a good bonding surface for the new coat.
Here’s a guide to some of the best electric pressure washers. A washer with a PSI rating of 1,000 to 1,500 is usually quite sufficient for washing siding. If you have a two-story house, a high-volume gas pressure washer fitted with a special nozzle will allow you to clean the upper areas while standing on solid ground. We’ve seen that preparation is vital, from covering plants and closing windows to selecting the right cleaning solution. The actual washing process, done in sections from the bottom up, can transform the look of your house, clearing away years of dirt and grime.
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