How to Pressure Wash Siding, Concrete, and Wood

5/27/2021

How to Pressure Wash Wood

Want to make your wooden fence or deck instantly look newer? Try cleaning them with a pressure washer.

You’ll want to use a green-tipped pressure washer nozzle so that you have a 25 degree spray (yes, pressure washer nozzles are color coded!). Also, you’ll want to grab some wood sealer for when you’re finished pressure washing.

#1

Do a spot test - most decks and fences are made of soft woods like pine or cedar, so you’ll want to test out how much of the surface goes away at different spraying distances.

#2

Once you are ready to start, you’ll want to move the wand up and down in an even motion.

#3

Try not to spray in one area longer than the rest of the surface.

#4

It’s better to make multiple passes over the entire surface than spraying in one area longer that is dirtier.

#5

Spray boards from top to bottom or bottom to top. Don’t start in the middle of a board.

#6

Avoid visible lines by overlapping strokes.

#7

Let the wood try for at least a day before applying the wood sealer.

How to Pressure Wash Siding

Siding is prone to mildew growth. You can brighten your siding and get rid of that mildew by pressure washing its surface.

You’ll want to use a green-tipped nozzle for a 25 degree spray or a white-tipped nozzle for a 40 degree spray. Grab a soap nozzle, long-handled stiff-bristle brush, and a house exterior cleaning solution.

#1

Attach the soap nozzle and fill the detergent reservoir with the cleaning solution.

#2

Use a scrub brush on especially dirty areas before you pressure wash.

#3

Apply the soap to the siding with the pressure washer. 

#4

Switch to the green or white nozzle and rinse off the siding. 

How to Pressure Wash Concrete

Concrete driveways, sidewalks, and patios are a great first pressure washing project if you are new to it.

For concrete, you’ll need a yellow-tipped nozzle for a 15 degree spray. You’ll also need a cleaning solution for use on concrete, a stiff scrubbing brush, and concrete sealer. You might need a soap nozzle to get rid of major stains.

#1

Sweep the surface of the concrete.

#2

Use the stiff scrubbing brush to scrub motor oil-stained areas and any other heavily stained areas.

#3

Spray the surface of the concrete with the pressure washer in an even motion and overlap strokes to avoid visible lines.

#4

Add soap to the detergent reservoir to get rid of major stains and switch the nozzle to the soap nozzle.

#5

Make a few passes with the pressure washer rather than spraying a very dirty spot for a longer time.

#6

Let the concrete completely dry and then apply the concrete sealer.

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