Is the need for pressure washing hinged on the weather? Interestingly enough, it’s not! This piece will delve into the question of whether the need for pressure washing is seasonally influenced and the elements that can improve or hamper the process. It will also touch on the considerations when selecting a service. For instance, harsh cold weather can be challenging for pressure washers, but their services remain accessible. Moreover, you are not confined to using the same equipment every season.
Is Pressure Washing Seasonal
You’ve probably heard of the term “pressure washing” by now. In general, it refers to the process of pressure-washing a home to remove dirt and debris. This process is often done in the spring and summer when many people are doing home improvement projects. For those who have flexible schedules, pressure washing is a great way to make a few extra bucks. However, most pressure washing jobs are one-time gigs, and it’s difficult to generate recurring revenue with this service.
While spring is often regarded as the time of year to clean the outside of your home, you’ll probably find that it’s also the time for plants to start growing. Unfortunately, during this time, you’ll find that your siding will be especially susceptible to damage from growing plants. Therefore, if you’re planning to power-wash your home in the spring or summer, you’ll want to wait until the rain has stopped. This way, you’ll be able to get the job done without risking damage to your home.
Cold Weather
When you pressure wash in cold weather, it is important to remember that the water must be at least 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Some power washers have the ability to heat the water during the pressure-washing process. Some have heated water tanks, while others can heat the water on the spot. The water may be frozen in cold weather, leaving wet spots around the property. In addition to slippery spots, ice can accumulate on siding and vehicles. If not cleared, ice can cause damage.
If the weather is extremely cold, pressure washing chemicals may not be effective. It is best to check the chemical recommendations before attempting to pressure wash. If you are going to pressure wash in cold weather, plan your cleaning for a warm day to avoid the possibility of freezing the chemicals. Also, remember that you cannot de-ice your roof with a pressure washer. If you do get to the point where ice dams have formed on your roof, you can use a special steam machine to clear them.
Pressure Washing Machine
Despite pressure washing being a seasonal task, it should be performed every year to ensure that your home’s surface looks its best. If the weather is nice, you may even want to do it more often. First, check the weather forecast beforehand if you’re unsure about the best time to pressure wash your home. Then, schedule an appointment for a sunny day. Otherwise, you’ll find that the process is much harder than you anticipated.
First, you should avoid pressure washing on cold days, as most cleaning chemicals don’t work well in cold weather. During winter, you can use hot water in your pressure washer, but the most appropriate temperature is 180 degrees Fahrenheit. You can even buy power washers that use heated water. You should look for a model that uses a heated water container while others heat the water on the fly. In any case, you should follow manufacturer recommendations for chemicals.
Drying Process
In pressure washing, a drying process is required after rinsing the components. Parts that have been wet can be slippery and difficult to handle. For this reason, some customers request completely dry parts, while others require parts that are only partially dry. Parts that have been completely dried are known as “bone dry.” A visible dry component is one that does not have a puddle of water anywhere on it. The drying process used depends on the material and size of the parts. The drying process is often done in a convection oven, which uses high-volume air to achieve the required drying level.
Cold Temperatures
While pressure washing outdoor surfaces has many benefits, cold temperatures can have serious negative consequences. In extreme cold, residual water can freeze and damage the surfaces. The ideal temperature for pressure washing is fifty degrees or higher. Additionally, a windy day can blow the water into areas you don’t want to clean. And finally, wear the right protective gear if you haven’t already. Listed below are some tips for avoiding injury when pressure washing in cold temperatures.
If the temperature drops below freezing, wash water may freeze on driveways and walkways. This can be dangerous and result in slip and fall accidents. Hiring a professional pressure washing service will avoid putting you or your customers in danger. Also, low temperatures will decrease the quality of the finished job. For example, cold temperatures make it difficult to clean tough stains from aluminum. Also, you won’t be able to use acid cleaning or aluminum brightening chemicals in these temperatures.
Start Pressure Washing
As the weather gets warmer and the house cleaning projects get busier, now is the perfect time to start pressure washing for extra cash. This is an excellent business for college students or anyone with flexible hours. However, it’s important to note that most jobs are one-time affairs, and recurring revenue is hard to generate. If you want to take advantage of this opportunity, consider acquiring a liability insurance policy. Besides liability insurance, you can also find training resources online.
The best time to pressure wash your home is during a mild spring day, so start your season with a clean house! You can either rent a pressure washing machine, buy one, or hire an expert to help you. Make sure to do some research before choosing a machine. Cheap pressure washing machines may not offer the best cleaning solution or strong water spray, and an inexperienced user could damage important parts of your home. It might also cost you more in the long run.
Freezing Temperatures
When it comes to outdoor maintenance, late winter can be an especially tough time. During this season, snow can accumulate on the roof and exterior, allowing dirt, debris, and moisture to permeate the surface. In addition, freezing temperatures can lead to warping and contraction of surfaces, and biting winds can erode the surface. All of these effects can lead to deteriorating your property. Luckily, there are a few ways you can prevent this from happening, including following these safety tips.
First, be sure that your pressure washer isn’t operating in freezing temperatures. The spray nozzle needs to be properly aimed in cold temperatures to prevent freezing, which can cause slippery surfaces and possible slip and fall accidents. You can also consider the length of your wand, as a longer wand is better suited for larger engine bays, while a shorter nozzle is better for smaller parts. And remember to close all doors and locks before starting the pressure washing process so that the freezing water injures no one.
Off Season
Even though it may be off season, there are still plenty of ways to improve the appearance of your home and business. For example, pressure washing can clean away stubborn mold and grime on patio pavers. Pressure washing also removes dirt from forgotten corners on your home exterior. You can hire a professional pressure washing service to get the job done or do it yourself. Whether you’re planning on doing it yourself or hiring a professional, here are some tips to get your home looking great during the off season.
In the winter, temperatures can become very cold and can cause ice to build up on your property. If you can get your house pressure washed on a sunny day, it’s safer to do so. In spring, temperatures are comfortable enough for the process. Afterwards, your home will look new and refreshed. If you can’t wait until the spring season, you can schedule the job in the late summer or early fall.
Sub Freezing Temperatures
Sub-freezing temperatures pose a serious challenge for pressure washing contractors. Water freezes at 32 degrees, and working in such cold temperatures can lead to hypothermia. Therefore, pressure washing contractors should wear protective clothing, such as rubber boots and goggles, while cleaning vehicles. Wearing a hat and gloves is also a good idea. For added warmth, wear extra layers of clothing. The spray nozzle should be carefully aimed at the surface during sub-freezing temperatures.
Sub-freezing temperatures can also affect a pressure washer’s water pump. Because water expands when it freezes, this can damage parts such as the spray nozzle. Additionally, a damaged part will make a distinctive noise and behave in predictable ways. If you notice any of these signs, take the pressure washer outside or to a dry place to thaw out. Once it has thawed, try to start it as normal.
Calcium Chloride
There are several advantages of using calcium chloride in pressure washing, and the benefits are numerous. Calcium chloride is a non-toxic chemical that poses minimal threat to the environment. It is used for food processing, fertilizers, and in certain applications as a nutrient. This chemical is applied in the form of a hydrated solution in a 35% concentration using a rear-mounted distribution bar and tank truck. Calcium chloride is effective at preventing the drying out of road surfaces and is best applied twice per year, ideally during the winter months and in the summer. The application of calcium chloride in pressure washing is seasonal, and it is best performed prior to road dry-out since it retains the road’s moisture.
A common mistake made by pressure-washing contractors is that they don’t dry out the calcium chloride thoroughly before they use it. If this is the case, the chemical can be reused several times by drying it between applications. To dry it out properly, you should store it in a nonrusting cup inside an enameled pot. Calcium chloride is used during the summer and lasts up to two weeks. After that, it should be added to the liquid before disposal.
When using calcium chloride in pressure washing, thoroughly rinse the area with clean water. The calcium chloride will disperse the material faster and prevent it from being swept away by runoff. Aside from the benefits of calcium chloride, it also helps prevent corrosion and runoff on bituminous surfaces. Calcium chloride is also half the price of asphalt emulsions. Calcium chloride can be used to increase the bond between bituminous materials, which is essential for a road’s long-term maintenance.
Generally, calcium chloride is available in a 3% solution. It is not an organic chemical, so that it can be stored for a long time. It also has a strong odor. It should not be stored near organic materials like plants in a closed container. It is a seasonal chemical that readily absorbs moisture and forms chlorine gas. So it is best to use calcium chloride when winter weather is less than optimal.
Home Pressure Washed
Pressure washing is an important maintenance task, but it is not a service that should only be performed during summer. It should be performed at least once a year for proper maintenance and more often when circumstances warrant. Make sure to check the weather forecast before scheduling a pressure washing appointment so the sun will be shining when you need it most. Otherwise, you might end up paying for a service that you will never use.
When should you pressure wash your home? Summer is the best time because it is less rainy, so your power washing job will last longer. You may also want to avoid using a pressure washer during the fall when the leaves are falling, and errant spring showers are inevitable. However, if you are a homeowner in Maryland, summer is a great time to clean your house. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your power washing project:
Winter is tough on your home, and the changing temperatures can take a toll on different building materials. If your home is located in a climate with cold winters, it may need to be pressure washed more often than in warmer climates. Winter can lead to increased buildup of ice and mud on your property, and falls can also lead to new deposits due to decomposition. However, the weather is usually mild during spring and fall, making it a good time to pressure wash your home.
The winter months are relatively safe for pressure washing. Unlike the summer months, the winter months do not experience severe storms and high winds. Therefore, a well-washed home can be protected from the high winds of a storm and prevent mold from growing rapidly on its surfaces. For many homeowners, home pressure washing is a daunting task. But if done right, it can be completed in time for spring cleaning. This way, you can enjoy your new house and make it look great for years to come!
Home power washing can also be done in the winter. Power washing during the winter months is more challenging than during the summer and spring months, as the hot pressurized water is not able to reach all locations and cracks. Additionally, the water may freeze and damage the power washer itself. If you haven’t drained the water properly, you might wind up with a frozen power washer and other complications. If you choose to power wash your home during the winter, make sure to plan ahead and store it in a warm area.
Freezing Point
While pressure washing is an excellent way to revitalize your outdoor surfaces, you must take care to keep the freezing point of water in mind. When temperatures are below 40 degrees, wash water may freeze, creating a dangerous environment and risking slip and fall incidents. A professional pressure washing company will not put customers in danger by lowering the freezing point of their water. However, lower temperatures can also affect the quality of the finished job. For example, acid cleaning and aluminum brightening require a temperature of at least 50 degrees.
While pressure washing in sub-freezing temperatures is safe, it is essential to wear proper clothing. Very cold temperatures can lead to hypothermia, which is especially dangerous for the hands and feet. You can prevent hypothermia by wearing several layers of clothing, protective gear, and rubber boots. You can also wear gloves, hats, and extra layers of clothing to keep yourself warm. In order to protect yourself from freezing temperatures, it is best to check the Freezing Point of pressure washing before starting work.
As temperatures dip below zero, you must exercise caution when pressure washing a car. Several parts of a car, such as the engine, may freeze shut if they get wet. Make sure that you open and close all doors and locks before starting the job. Depending on the size of the engine bay, a longer wand may be more efficient. For smaller areas, however, a shorter wand may be more effective.
Another factor to consider is the freezing point of pressure washer fluid. If you use the machine in freezing temperatures, water in the hosepipe may freeze almost immediately. In order to avoid this, keep the pressure washer in a warm place. If the fluid is frozen when you remove it from storage, it should thaw in a few minutes. Otherwise, the water will remain solid. If you don’t drain it, the water may freeze again and cause damage to your machine.
References:
https://www.sidehustlenation.com/pressure-washing/
https://www.thumbtack.com/ga/atlanta/pressure-washing/
https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/pressure-washing-mistakes/