Pressure washing is a multipurpose and efficient technique, and you commonly use it for cleaning your driveway, fences, terraces, patios, etc. The main purpose of pressure washing is to refresh or renew the external appearance of your house.
Certainly, it is a reliable method as you can clean dirt, grime, and stains very easily without much effort. Still, there are many questions that arise regarding the use of pressure washers and the technique of pressure washing.
One of these questions is, “Can you pressure wash in the rain?” To find out whether you can pressure wash your house when it is raining or not, you should understand some important factors. It is obvious that if you desire to get the best cleaning results, ensure the safety of your pressure washer and use it for a long time.
For this, you must be informed about the necessary conditions required for the safety and longevity of your pressure washer in different weather conditions like rain.
Considerations for Pressure Washing in the Rain
Let’s come to the central point of discussion in this topic, “Can you pressure wash in the rain?’ The answer is yes; it is possible to do pressure washing in the rain. However, you must be more conscious than you are in your normal routine because there are some safety concerns in this activity. Here are some important considerations that you should keep in mind when you are pressure washing in wet weather:
Safety Concerns Pressure Washer
If you are using an electric pressure washer, then always keep your safety as the first priority. When water or dampness combine with electricity, it creates extremely hazardous impacts that can be fatal. Here’s what you should do:
● You should keep the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection installed and connected to the power supply of your house, such as an outlet or extension cord. It can prevent you from an electric shock in wet conditions, especially during rain.
● If there are puddles and standing water in your patio or driveway, keep the power cord and connections away from them. You can avoid the contact of your pressure washer surface cleaner with wet surfaces by cord management devices or raised platforms.
● Wear appropriate safety gear, including non-slip footwear and insulated gloves. Always be conscious of your footing to avoid slips and falls.
● Prefer to use a pressure washer surface cleaner of a reliable brand such as Eveage. It offers the safety of its pressure washer surface cleaner and other pressure washer attachments.
Impact of Rain on Cleaning Effectiveness
Rainwater blends up with the detergents or cleaning solutions that you apply on the surface for cleaning, which causes a reduction in their effectiveness. Yet, this is not such a big issue that you can’t solve, so don’t worry about it.
You can counter it by using a concentrated detergent or applying it separately before pressure washing. If you let the detergent dwell for a few minutes before using a pressure washer surface cleaner, it will maximize its cleaning power.
Moreover, even if you use the best pressure washer surface cleaner, heavy rain can interfere with its ability to dislodge dirt, grime, and stains. The water normally flowing out from a pressure washer surface cleaner with high pressure is much more concentrated.
When raindrops strike, they scatter this high-pressure stream of water and make it less concentrated. You may need to adjust the pressure settings or use a narrower nozzle to compensate for reduced cleaning power.
Tips for Protecting Yourself and the Equipment
● Wear waterproof clothes, like a rain jacket and pants, to stay dry while operating the pressure washer surface cleaner.
● It is a better idea to cover the electrical components of the pressure washer, such as the power cord, switch, and outlets, to prevent water infiltration.
● Use weights or sandbags to secure the pressure washer and prevent it from shifting or tipping due to wet and slippery surfaces.
● For more safety, it is better to use a gasoline-powered pressure washer surface cleaner in rain.
Advantages of Pressure Washing in the Rain
Since there are some concerns regarding pressure washing in the rain, that means it is not ideal in every case. Yet, there are a couple of advantages that you can associate with this scenario:
Enhanced Cleaning Efficiency Due to Pre-Soaked Surfaces
When it rains, the surface gets damp, and it can pre-soak the surfaces you intend to clean. The moisture can help in loosening the tough stains, dirt, contaminants, and grime. So, in the presence of rainwater, these are more responsive to the cleaning power of pressure washer surface cleaner. This makes it possible for you to clean the pre-soaked surfaces in an easier way.
Rainwater Assisting in the Rinsing Process
With the help of rainwater, you can rinse away the residues of detergent or the cleaning solutions that you have used during pressure washing. When it rains while you are pressure washing a surface or just have done it, it can assist you in washing away any remaining cleaning agents and leave surfaces cleaner and free from residues.
This natural rinsing process can be especially beneficial if you have used detergents or chemicals that require thorough rinsing to prevent streaks or damage to surfaces.
Challenges and Limitations of Pressure Washing in the Rain
Rain somehow makes your pressure washing easier by helping you out in some aspects. However, it also comes with several challenges and limitations that you need to keep under consideration:
Visibility Issues and Slipping Hazards
When it is raining, you face a lack of visibility during pressure washing. It makes it hard for you to see the surfaces you are cleaning, and you cannot identify any potential hazards. Moreover, the surface of your floor becomes extremely slippery during rain.
It increases the risk that you can slip or fall while pressure washing. It can also be dangerous for any other person who will come near the area you are cleaning. You must be extra conscious to prevent these accidents.
There will be less risk of your falling or slipping if you use a pressure washer surface cleaner with wheels as the wheels keep everything in balance.
Drying Difficulties with the Cleaned Surfaces
Rain naturally wets the surfaces you are trying to clean, and this additional moisture can make it challenging to achieve the desired level of dryness after pressure washing. If the surface does not get dried properly, there are some risks that can make your cleaning meaningless.
Spots of water can be deposited, appearing as stains on the surface. There are more chances for molds and mildew to grow on damp surfaces as it provide a favorable environment for microorganisms. You cannot prevent these risks and issues unless your floor is not dried properly.
Associated Risks
The question, can you pressure wash in the rain, also depends upon the type of pressure washer you are using. If you are using an electric pressure washer, it would be particularly sensitive to wet conditions. The combination of water and electricity increases the risk of electric shock, which can be fatal.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, or GFCI protection, is designed to prevent electric shock in wet conditions. Even if you have installed this system at your home, there is still a potential risk of shock if water infiltrates electrical components.
Dilution of Cleaning Solutions
It has already been discussed above that rainwater can dilute cleaning solutions or detergents. It can reduce their effectiveness in breaking down dirt and grime. In this condition, even the best power washer surface cleaner cannot function at its maximum efficiency.
In some cases, you may need to reapply cleaning solutions again and again. You can also leave the surface with the cleaning solution for longer times so that it can compensate for the effect of dilution.
Potential Impact on Cleaning Effectiveness
Rainwater can scatter the stream of water coming through the pressure washer with a high pressure. This is its additional impact other than pre-soaking the surfaces and assisting in the process of rinsing. Moreover, it can be difficult for you to dislodge tough stains or contaminants in the interference of heavy rain.
Eveage provides you with the best commercial surface cleaners of high power. They have high water pressures to overcome the resistance of rain up to a large extent.
Conclusion
Pressure washing is an effective technique for cleaning surfaces. There is an important and common question about the use of this technique, “Can you pressure wash in the rain?” It is possible to Pressure wash in the rain, but besides getting advantages, you may face some challenges, too.
Rainwater presoaks the surface you are going to clean, and it loosens the tough stains that you can’t dislodge easily in a normal routine. Besides, it can help in rinsing solutions away and makes your surface free from the residues of detergents easily. However, in rain, you can’t see the objects properly, which can increase the risk of potential hazards. Moreover, when your surfaces get oversoaked, they can’t dry easily. Another risk is electric shock, which can be fatal, so you must be conscious, particularly while using an electric pressure washer.
To avoid these disadvantages, you should follow some precautions measures. Wear insulated and waterproof clothes, and check the maintenance of your pressure washer regularly.
