The 8-Step Guide to Cleaning a Brick House with a Hot Water Pressure Washer
The right hot water pressure washer makes quick work of cleaning many surfaces, including a brick home. If you or your client are looking for a bright, clean brick home, then this simple guide is all you’ll need. Read on to learn the eight steps and then contact Geyser Equipment at 951-509-9269 if you need assistance choosing the right pressure washer for your needs.
Step One: Turn off outdoor electrical components
Remember that water and electric don’t mix. Walk around your home and turn off any electrical components and high-voltage spots. This includes things like your central A/C unit.
Step Two: Get the right clothes
Preferably, you want clothes that are waterproof because you’re like to get wet. You also want gloves and goggles. Safety is important and the right clothing is a big part of safety.
Step Three: Make any necessary repairs
Take another walk around the property and look for any type of damage between bricks, such as cracks or holes. If you see them, then they need to be repaired before you can begin washing. They should be carefully patched with mortar and they should cure for a week. Then you can go to the next step.
Step Four: Soak your brick
Now that you’re ready to really get started, soak and saturate your brick with water from top to bottom. This helps the brick essentially get ready for the cleaning process. It can also help prevent the bricks from absorbing the cleaning materials and detergents.
Step Five: Test a small area
Find an out of the way part of your home and clean a small part of your brick with your pressure washer. This will show you if you need more or less pressure before you do the entire home. You do want enough pressure to easily clean your home but too much can be damaging. Aim for a happy medium.
Step Six: Apply detergent
Use a detergent that’s developed especially for brick. Spray it from the bottom to the top to ensure it doesn’t streak. Let it soak in for about ten minutes but make sure it doesn’t dry.
Step Seven: Brush tough stains
If you see an area or two that are especially dirty then you may want to use a rotary scrub brush or other pressure washer accessory to loosen the dirt.
Step Eight: Rinse the detergent and repeat
Once the detergent has had between five and ten minutes to soak in, clean the detergent by spraying the house from top to bottom. Once you’re done with one area, move on to the next area.
These eight steps are all it takes to clean a brick home. Depending on the type of bricks the home is made of, and other factors, a sealant may be a good idea. You can visit your local hardware store to look at options and decide if your home needs it.
To get in touch with an expert who can help you choose the right pressure washer for your needs, reach out to Geyser Equipment at 951-509-9269 today.
