How to Use a Pressure Washer

The summer months are typically a time where homeowners start to take a closer look at the outside of their house. You might notice that dirt has built up or that it needs a fresh, clean overall. Pressure washing provides a new, clean look for your siding, decks, driveways, stone, and brick. It can also remove tough stains, strip paint, and provide a deep clean. Here is a how-to guide from our Madison team about how to use a pressure washer for your home.

Steps for Pressure Washing

1) Prepare Your Area

Before you start, make sure you have cleared your area. It makes it easier to remove any leaves, flower buds, or other debris with a leaf blower. Clear off any furniture, potted plants, or accents. You can also use a tarp to cover any flowers to prevent the water from getting into them. Also, put a tarp over any pebbles or rocks.

2) Choose a pressure washer and accessories

If you plan on using a pressure washer regularly, it might be worth the investment to go ahead and purchase one. Our stores offer several top brands, with STIHL in Madison, Generac in Crozet, and KARCHER in Charlottesville. If you’re washing a two-story house, an extension wand can help get to those hard-to-reach places. STIHL’s section offers one perfect for any job, from occasional use around the home to heavy-duty ones for contractors. We also offer gas-powered and electric-powered.

3) Select the Right Nozzle for the Job

Depending on your use, there might be a nozzle that is best for your project. These nozzles are color-coded depending on how many degrees wide it sprays. All of these nozzles are available at every store.

• Red: 0-degree spray for hard-to-remove dirt and oil on durable surfaces
• Yellow: 15-degree spray for stripping old paint off deck or siding
• Green: 25-degree spray for cleaning driveways, walkways, and car exteriors
• White: 40-degree spray for washing windows, window screens, and light fixtures
• Black: 65-degree spray for cleaning cars, patio furniture, and small outdoor items that are a little more delicate

4) Attach a Garden Hose

You can use a standard garden hose to hook up to many pressure washers. Connect the hose to the pressure washer and your home’s water supply. Make sure that all connections are tight and turn on the water supply from the house.

5) Check the Pressure

Turn on your pressure washer and make sure the pressure is okay when coming out of the sprayer. You might need to adjust the settings on the machine or replace your nozzle. Run the sprayer for a minute to remove any air pockets before starting to clean.

6) Start Pressure Washing

For gas-powered pressure washers, make sure it has both oil and fuel. Start washing in the top left corner, and then work side-to-side and down to prevent dirt from getting into your clean areas. A wider spray will cover a larger area, but the water pressure will not be as great. If you need a deeper clean, point your nozzle more towards the surface.

Accessories

Cardinal Home Center carries all of the accessories you need, from extension wands and nozzles to fluid and pump oil for gas-powered washers. Also, if you have a Stihl product, you can stop by our Madison location for any repairs or have questions about using your product.

Other Tips for Pressure Washing

• Avoid spraying electrical outlets and outdoor lighting fixtures to prevent damage. Make sure you have weather box covers over any outdoor outlets.
• Wear closed-toe shoes and protective eyewear
• Never use gas-powered pressure washers indoors
• Avoid standing on ladders; use an extension wand instead

Have questions about cleaning your surface? Stop by any of our stores and ask our sales team, or visit the Tools section of our website!