Your car is probably washed on a regular basis. Your car is a very important part of your life. But when was your last time washing your home? Your home’s exterior can also get dirty, just like your car. You must clean your car regularly to keep it looking its best. You should treat your home the same way!
Perhaps you’re thinking about Exterior House Wash in Auckland. We have good news for you. In this article, we will cover house washing. We will explain what house washing is and how to do it yourself, as well as answer common questions.
What is House Washing?
A house washing usually involves applying a low-pressure cleaning solution to the windows, walls, and gutters of a home. After the cleaning solution has been applied, it will work to remove any contamination.
After the cleaning solution has had a chance to work, you can rinse it off using a pressure washer at a low or moderate pressure setting. The exterior material will determine the pressure required.
Why should I wash my house?
Your home’s exterior will become contaminated over time with dirt, mold, and cobwebs. These contaminants can cause serious damage to your cladding if they are allowed to build up without being removed.
Cladding is an integral part of any building. It is made up of weatherboard, brick, and other cladding materials. It consists of the cladding material (weatherboard, brick etc.), an air cavity, and then a layer insulation. It serves two primary functions: to provide thermal insulation, and weather resistance.
It is vital that your cladding is clean. Over time, a buildup of grime can cause problems such as:
- Dulling, fading and staining
- Premature surface wear
- Rot wood cladding materials
Is it possible to pressure wash my house?
Pressure washing your house is not something you should do. Your home’s cladding can be damaged by pressure washers that spray water at high pressures. Excessive pressure can cause damage such as:
- Flaking or bubbling paints on painted cladding
- Wooden cladding can be furred or etched with furring.
- Stone cladding can be chipped or etched with etching
- Blowing mortar off brick cladding
A house can also be pressure washed by an inexperienced person. High pressure water can easily get inside a home. Outdoor electrical outlets, switchboard boxes, windows, doors, and vents are all areas that are susceptible to water infiltration.
A professional exterior cleaner with experience can use a pressure washer to clean your house efficiently and effectively, without causing any damage. You can easily adjust commercial grade pressure washers to spray water at low pressure. You can achieve this by:
- Change the size of the nozzle at the end the pressure washer gun. A wider opening allows for more water to flow through, which in turn lowers pressure. A smaller opening, on the other hand, restricts water flow which in turn raises the pressure. This is the best way adjust the pressure.
- Reduce engine revs by setting the throttle
- Adjusting the unloader valve
Some cladding materials are more resilient than others. A brick wall, if it is in good condition, could withstand higher pressure than timber cladding and stucco.
It’s best not to use too much pressure if you aren’t sure what pressures you should use. The number of PSI can vary depending on who you ask. Low pressure washing is usually referred to as being below 1000 PSI (pounds/square inch), or even less than 500 PSI. You can adjust the pressure by increasing the distance between the surface of the washer and the surface. This will limit the force of water.
What does house washing remove?
Mold, dirt, and cobwebs are the most common contaminants in a home. Traffic film, another form of contamination, can also be found on properties that are near busy roads.
Mold
Mold usually comes in a black or green color. Mold thrives in moist areas that don’t get much light. Mold growth can thrive in areas close to homes, such as around sprinklers and trees. Another area that can produce mold patches is the overflowing or leaking gutters.
Dirt
Wind, rain and general traffic can all cause dust and dirt to build up on your exterior. Dust can easily get onto your cladding if you have a gravel driveway.
Cobwebs
Cobwebs can increase if there are many trees or shrubs near your home. Although they don’t pose any threat to your cladding, cobwebs can make your home look less appealing.
Traffic Film
Are you located near a highway or busy road? Traffic film may be found on your walls if you live near a busy road or highway. Traffic film is composed of soot, grease, and carbon deposits.
House washing will eliminate all the above contaminants. Different cleaning methods may be needed to remove mold than traffic film.
Do you need to wash the outside of your house?
Yes! There are many reasons to wash your house. House proud people will love the look of their house after it is washed. People who are conscious about saving money will appreciate that regular house washing can increase the life expectancy of their materials. People who care about their health will be happy to have mold and mildew taken out of their homes.
The selling of their property is another reason to clean the exterior of their home. A freshly cleaned house is more likely to attract more offers than one that has been neglected.
What’s the difference between pressure washing and soft washing?
Soft washing is a term you may have heard. Soft washing refers to the application of a cleaner at low pressure and then a rinse at low pressure. This process is intended to clean delicate surfaces that can easily be damaged by high pressure. Soft washing relies on the cleaning solution to do the majority of the cleaning.
The force of water is used to clean the surface. The water volume and force of the water clean the surface. For concrete and stone surfaces, pressure washing is the best method of cleaning.
Because of the materials used to cover their houses, some homes require soft washing only. Some homes can be cleaned using a combination soft washing and pressure washing. However, the pressure is adjusted to ensure that the surface doesn’t get scratched.
How much does it cost to clean my house’s exterior?
There are a few things that affect the cost of washing a house:
Size
What size home is it? It will be less expensive to clean a two-bedroom home than a five-bedroom, two-story home. Are you looking to clean the entire house or just one side?
Access
Are there easy access points from all sides of your home? Are there any areas that are difficult to reach, such as balconies and dormer windows? You can expect to pay more if you need ladders, scaffolds, or elevated work platforms to clean certain areas.
Location
Is the property in the right area? If the property is located far from an exterior cleaner, expect them to add travel costs into their quote. If you live outside the country, it is possible to lower this price by asking your neighbors if they are interested in having their property cleaned. This will make it more likely that the contractor will offer you a better deal, as they are more likely to travel further.
Levels of dirtiness
How clean is your exterior? It will be less expensive to clean a home with a little dust and cobwebs than a home that is heavily contaminated by mold or algae.
Cladding Type
Sometimes, the cost of a house washed can be affected by the type of cladding. Certain cladding types are easier to clean than others. Vinyl cladding is generally easier to clean than stucco.
House Wash Cost
A professional house washing service can be booked starting at $350 You should remember that not all exterior cleaners offer the same level of service. An experienced company with positive reviews and professional equipment will likely charge more than someone who is less experienced and may not have insurance.
You get what you pay, as with most things. So do your research.
How often should you wash the outside of your house?
It can be difficult to answer this question as there are many factors that influence how often you should wash your outside. It is best to wash your home every year, especially in the warmer months.
A once-a-year wash will get rid of dirt and buildup, as well as stop any organic growth. The sun will dry your exterior if you wash it during warmer months. You house will be more susceptible to mold growth if it is wet or humid.
These are additional things to think about when you decide how often you should clean.
- If you live close to a busy road or dirt, you might need to wash your house more often.
- Weather: After a storm, heavy rain or windstorm your house may look dirtier because of all the dirt and debris.
- If you are very proud of your home and want it to look its best, then a house wash more often is a good idea.
