If the patios, driveways and decking around your home are looking tired, dirty and grimy, it could be time to consider jet washing in London. Jet washing, also known as power washing, uses a high-powered stream of water to deeply clean and restore outdoor surfaces.
Done properly and safely, jet washing can make your outdoor living areas look like new again. Read on for our best professional tips from Jet Washing London to help your jet washing project go as smoothly as possible.
Assessing the Surface Material
Before turning on the jet washer, take time to analyze what type of materials need cleaning. Pay attention to surfaces like:
The jet stream needed to clean more delicate materials like wood and paint is far less intense than what concrete and stone can handle. Adjusting pressure and technique based on material type will help prevent damage.
Clearing Debris
Make sure to thoroughly sweep, blow or wipe away debris like leaves, dirt and small stones from surfaces before beginning. If such debris gets caught in the high-powered jet stream it can damage surfaces. Check between deck planks, patio crevices and driveway cracks.
Starting with Lower Pressure
Don’t just blast away at full pressure! Begin washing delicate or unknown surfaces with lower pressure stream and increase as needed. Pay attention to signs of damage like scraping paint, splintered wood or etching stone. Adjust pressure based on those visual cues.
Choosing the Right Nozzles
Jet washers come with a variety of high-pressure nozzle tips. The 25 degree wide fan nozzle evenly distributes pressure for better surface cleaning. Use 15 degree pencil point nozzles to concentrate on tough, stuck-on gunk. Adjustable pressure nozzles allow precision cleaning for delicate tasks.
Maintaining Consistent Distance
Inconsistent distance from the surface while jet washing can cause streaking and uneven cleaning results. Keep the jet stream the same distance away as you methodically work across the area. For most jet washers, this is about 6-12 inches from surface to nozzle tip.
Applying Cleaning Solutions
Using jet washing alone may not break down thicker layers of stubborn grease, oil and ground-in dirt. Apply a degreasing or heavy duty patio/driveway cleaner first and let it soak in for 5-10 minutes. The jet spray will then rinse away the grime the solutions break down.
Working in Sections
Don’t try to jet wash a large driveway or patio all at once. That can allow the surfaces to dry in odd patterns. Instead, work in smaller 3×3 foot sections for more manageable drying and better consistency of clean. Always rinse debris away from already cleaned sections so they stay pristine.
Watching for Runoff
Be very careful not to jet wash debris into storm drains, grassy areas and gardens. The powerful stream could harm plants and carry grime into waterways. Divert runoff by circling closer and closer to drains. Absorb or squeegee contained water towards appropriate areas.
Rinsing First Without Cleaners
If using heavy duty cleaners, do an initial jet wash rinse to remove loose debris. Then apply the cleaning solution and let it fully penetrate before power washing again. The preliminary rinse keeps you from inadvertently spraying loosened dirt into already cleaned areas during application.
Letting Surfaces Dry
After completing jet washing sections, allow them to fully dry before resuming cleaning nearby areas. Drying prevents drips and drainage from interfering with freshly cleaned sections of the project. Drying also allows you to spot check for streaks or uneven results before continuing.
Backrolling for a Smooth Finish
Once the thorough jet washing process is complete, go over the entire area with a damp mop to catch any last remnants and backroll for a perfectly smooth finish. This removes any tiny debris the jets loosened and produces an evenly cleaned surface area when dry.
Calling in the Experts
Jet washing seems simple, but perfect results rely heavily on proper pressure adjustment, technique and equipment. Rather than risking expensive exterior surface damage or spending days working to correct jet washing mistakes, consider calling professional jet washing services like Vip Carpet Cleaning London and Jet Washing Company London to expertly handle the job the first time around. Their experienced technicians have specialized tools, knowledge and skills to flawlessly clean even the largest outdoor areas around your home.
Maintaining That Sparkling Clean Look
Once your freshly cleaned outdoor living spaces dry completely, take steps to keep them looking pristine for longer:
Re-apply protective treatments to wood decking per manufacturer recommendations
Professionally jet washing your home’s outdoor surfaces every year or two will keep them looking like new for decades to come. Consistent upkeep also prevents dirt, mold and grime from permanently setting into the surface pores over time. Invest time and care into your home’s exteriors and you’ll reap ongoing rewards like higher home value, enjoyable outdoor living and reduced major repairs down the road.