Get matched with top pressure washers in Hardin, IL

The amount of pressure required to wash your siding depends on the material. Vinyl siding, as well as brick and stone exteriors, can handle high pressure of 2,500 to 3,000 psi, especially if you’re not worried about damaging paint. Wood and aluminum siding needs a gentler approach and shouldn’t face more than 1,500 psi.

Always use a soft washer to clean your gutters—you can also clean them by hand. It’s tedious work, but it keeps your gutters intact. Pressure washers have PSIs of 1,500 or even more, which is strong enough to cause damage to your gutters or to knock shingles off your roof. When your gutters are damaged, your home is more susceptible to moisture, which can lead to mold and mildew problems.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using an EPA-registered disinfectant product to disinfect a house properly. If such a product isn't handy, a strong bleach solution can disinfect high-touch surfaces. Before hiring a professional, be sure to discuss the type of chemicals and disinfectants they plan to use to ensure they’re safe for household use.

If you don’t thoroughly clean your deck surface before staining, debris, grease, and mildew can get trapped on top of the wood. As well as looking unsightly, the stain won’t effectively penetrate the wood surface. You won’t have such a well-protected deck, and you’ll likely have to restain sooner. Beyond just the appearance and adhesion issues, any existing mold or mildew left untreated can continue to grow beneath the new stain, potentially leading to wood rot and structural damage over time, ultimately shortening the lifespan of your deck and requiring costly repairs.