Power washing your home or business is a great way to clean up your space and enhance curb appeal. While it’s a relatively simple process, many people make small mistakes that can cause damage and issues to your property. They’re easily avoidable!  Dirt Doctors Pressure Washing and Paver Sealing is here to help you understand the basics of using a pressure washer and how to avoid common mistakes.



One of the biggest mistakes you can make is using only water. Nearly all cleaning jobs will require a detergent or chemical cleanser to really get an area clean. Make sure you’re choosing an environmentally friendly detergent that kills mold. You also may need to let it sit for a while before rinsing it all off. 

Next, not taking steps to protect landscaping can prove detrimental to your plants and décor. Wet down plants with a garden hose so that you don’t burn foliage with the chemical cleaner you’re using. Make sure the plants stay wet the entire time to avoid burn marks. If the chemicals are too dangerous for your plants to be exposed to at all you can cover them with a tarp until you’re done pressure washing.

Two surfaces many people power wash and then regret are painted surfaces and mold-prone surfaces. Sometimes painted surfaces cannot stand up to any pressure washing, no matter how gentle. The older the paint and the more exposed it is to direct sunlight it is, the more likely it won’t be able to stand up to pressure. Always avoid fiber cement siding, gutters, and old mortar. Power washing moldy areas will temporarily wash away the mold, but because you’re using water it can cause even more mold to grow. You should also avoid using windows. The power can easily shatter glass and break the seals around your windows, as well as damage your screens.

Lastly, make sure you’re cleaning areas in an order that makes sense. If you plan to power wash your entire home, don’t start with the sidewalk. It’s best to start from the top and work your way down so that you don’t need to rewash areas that gunk from above falls onto. 

While it may sound counterintuitive, you can in fact use too much pressure. You can splinter wood, punch holes in vinyl, and even etch into concrete if you aren’t careful. Always start on the lowest setting on your machine and slowly add pressure as you work to avoid damage. Also, make sure there is a good amount of distance between yourself and what you’re cleaning to stay dry and ensure that nothing flies back and hits you.

Dirt Doctors is the ideal place to come for professional power washing! We specialize in roof cleaning, paver sealing, pressure washing, and our “Property Maintenance Program” designed to keep your home and property clean all year long. Give us a call today.