You need to have your home pressure washed when planning an exterior painting renovation. It’s the only way to know for sure that there won’t be any gunk left under your new paint. Our qualified exterior painting contractors at Cornerstone Painting want you to know the importance of scheduling pressure washing services. Learn exactly what to expect when repainting your house in Woodinville WA.

Why Do I Have to Hire a Pressure Washing Service?

The point of hiring a pressure washing service team is to remove any loose debris from the exterior of your home. That means getting rid of everything from twigs to mildew. Any small particles of dirt will stop paint from sticking to outside walls correctly. The grime that you can’t even see with the naked eye will ruin an exterior painting job. Other foreign objects can fall from high places onto wet paint, too. A professional pressure washing team will prevent these big problems from happening during the renovation, and it can extend the life of your new paint.

How Long Does It Take to Dry?

You’ll experience dampness on the outside of your home for around three days after scheduling your pressure washing service. It’s fine if you have it done in bad weather, too. Rain can help break up old debris when pressure washing. Brick surfaces are also simple to clean after being soaked.

Every home is going to react differently, so you’ll need to judge the level of dryness for your situation. If you live in a humid area near a water source, then it could take up to seven days before all of the moisture is evaporated. You can always tape a piece of plastic to any surface you suspect is still damp to test it. If there isn’t any condensation after 24 hours, then your exterior painting contractors can start their job.

Do I Only Need To Pressure Wash My Walls?

The smartest way to handle pressure washing is by planning to have the whole exterior of your home washed. It will leave less room for error, and it will help make your home beautiful. We recommend that you have the following sections of your property cleaned when preparing for an exterior painting project.

Roof and Gutters

Your roof can gather a lot of foreign debris from the wind. Pollen is a huge problem during the summer months, and dried leaves are the issue in the fall. Always be sure to maintain clean roofs and gutters. You should have your roofline thoroughly pressure washed to remove any mildew or algae. Dirt trapped behind gutters can also pose a problem for painters. Don’t overlook this part of your exterior when getting ready for fresh paint.

Soffits and Vents

Soffits are common around overhangs, and insects love them. Make sure to have the soffits washed. It’s very easy for dust to fall out of vents when painters are working. This could cause a big setback during the workday. It’s crucial for your home to be free of any bird’s nests as well. Having your overhangs cleaned will significantly reduce the chances of falling debris ruining paint that hasn’t dried.

Power Wash Your Exterior Walls Next

The last parts of your house to pressure wash will be the walls. This is typically done using a linear motion from one corner to the next. It can take several passes to fully work down from the top of a wall. It’s a straightforward process unless there’s visible moisture damage on your exterior walls. It’s common for wood near the bottom of siding to sustain water damage throughout the year. You can tell something is wrong by noticing swollen parts on the underlying plywood. The siding may also be separating from the nails. If you’re pressure washing on your own, then you need to look for those warning signs. Don’t spray spots that might be rotten. You will make things worse, and you’ll cause more damage.

Should Windows Be Cleaned?

Windows don’t usually cause a problem during most exterior painting jobs, but they can affect the overall appeal of your home. Dirty windows will stick out more from a newly renovated exterior. A pressure washing team can get them perfectly clean in no time. If you are planning on doing it yourself, then you should be careful not to blow out any screens. You should use a low-pressure setting, and you should move the nozzle further than three feet back. You’ll need to spray at least six feet from the window when your pressure washer is equipped with a red-tipped nozzle. Never point the sprayer directly at a seam, and always handle the machine with caution.

Should Scraping be done before pressure washing?

It’s always more efficient to scrape off older paints after pressure washing. All of the blisters in the existing paint will become more apparent, and some of the loose paint can even come off on its own from the pressure. Doing it this way will let your painter quickly see what sections need extra attention during scraping. The only downside to pressure washing is that it can make the old paint very gummy. That’s why you need to let the house dry out completely.

What Should I Do After It’s Dry and Scraped?

Minor patching may be necessary if there are any existing gouges on wooden surfaces. Bare wood will need to have a coating of primer applied before the rest of the exterior can be painted. If any extensive repairs need to be made, then you should have those repairs completed before painting.

Pressure Washing Can Get Your Concrete Looking Like New Again

Pressure washing is great for bricks. You can have your whole foundation cleaned, too. It can remove mildew and dirt. Concrete steps can look like new, and cement patios can be made spotless. It will tie the new appearance of your house together. You might want to have your driveway cleaned, too. It can remove tire marks, and it will reduce the appearance of chemical stains. It seems to be even more effective on wet concrete after heavy rain. We recommend that you leave the concrete cleaning to trained experts. It is possible to put etchings in the top layer with high pressure, so keep the sprayer moving.

Should I Pressure Wash My Own Home?

Pressure washing takes a certain level of training to do properly. High-pressure streams can damage your home, and they can harm you. High-quality machinery can be expensive, too. The bottom line is that you should leave this job up to the licensed experts. So many things can go wrong that it’s just not worth the added trouble of doing it yourself. It could cost you a trip to the hospital, or you might end up paying for a costly repair.

Cornerstone Painting of Woodinville WA: Satisfaction Guaranteed, Licensed, And Insured Are you tired of doing business with less-than-average painting contractors? Come see us, and you’ll never do business with a typical painter again! Our crew leaders are seasoned exterior painting professionals that are highly trained to use our unique painting systems. We’ll make sure your project is a success! Schedule with us today!