Nothing adds more curb appeal to your home than a fresh coat of paint. It’s easy to do, helps protect your home’s exterior and adds value to your property.
Before you begin, though, it’s critical to make sure your home’s siding is properly prepared or your efforts could be short-lived.
One of the most important steps is to thoroughly clean your home’s exterior. The best tool to do that is a pressure washer. This versatile cleaning tool makes quick work of removing all the things that prevent your new paint job for adhering to your home’s siding—dirt, debris, mildew, chalking, cobwebs, flaking paint and more.
Pressure washers are available in gas or electric and even soft wash models, which can be safely used to clean the exterior of your entire home, including roofs. Each style has its benefits. Gas-powered models deliver more cleaning power without being restricted by cords. Electric models are quieter and cleaner running, providing ample power to handle most homeowner chores. Soft wash systems provide low-impact cleaning that is safe for siding, roofs, fences and more.
For one-time use, renting a pressure washer probably makes more sense. Most people, however, find multiple uses for pressure washers—from washing vehicles and driveways to decks and patios to cleaning lawn and garden equipment—making a pressure washer a good long-term investment.
Homes built before 1978 are more likely to have lead-based paint, which can pose a serious health hazard to you and your family if disturbed. If you suspect your home contains lead-based paint, take the necessary precautions before pressure washing or scraping. Visit the U.S. EPA website for more information.
Water alone may not be enough to remove dirt, debris and grime from siding. The addition of pressure washer concentrated detergent further enhances the cleaning power of your pressure washer to ensure new paint adheres properly.
Safe, effective pressure washing wood requires using the right PSI and the right nozzle for the job. Too much pressure (PSI) or the wrong nozzle could damage your siding.
Stick with a lower pressure (1200 to 1500 PSI) and use a low-pressure detergent nozzle and 40° nozzles should be an effective combination without the risk of damage. Never use a rotating turbo or low-degree nozzle on wood siding.
(Also, be sure to stand back at least 3ft. from your siding and move closer if needed.)
Start pressure washing from the bottom of your house and make your way to the top—this makes it easier to see where you have washed.
Avoid spraying directly into cracks or electrical outlets.
The addition of a telescoping pressure washer wand allows you to reach higher while keeping your feet safely on the ground. Extra-length pressure washer hoses also provide freedom and flexibility to cover more area without the need to reposition your pressure washer.
Any loose or flaking paint that isn't removed by the pressure washer can be easily removed by using a paint scraper. If there are areas that have been scraped down to bare wood, you can create a smoother transition between the wood and existing paint by lightly sanding to a feather edge. (See note above concerning how to handle lead-based paint, if present, before sanding.)
Last, let your siding dry for a day or two after washing before painting with a good-quality brush or a paint sprayer. Enjoy your home's fresh, new look and your accomplishment!
