Meta Description: Can You Pressure Wash in the Winter? Read the brief guide by Eveage and then make a decision.
Introduction
One of the well-known methods of deep cleaning outdoor surfaces is Pressure washing. Pressure washer surface cleaner has been an efficient solution for the maintenance and lastingness of driveways, buildings, and other external places. It helps get rid of smut, dirt, dust, and the paint shedding from walls. However, as Winter is near, many individuals are concerned about whether it is applicable to be used during such weather.
A usual misunderstanding that most people have about pressure washing is that it is specifically used for sultry weather, as they assume that the amalgamation of low temperatures and water proves to be harmful to both the device and the surfaces being cleaned. The following description helps clear out the misconceptions and viability of pressure washers used in cold weather.
Understanding Pressure Washing
Definition and Basic Principles
Pressure washing is frequently called power washing. This system involves a high-pressure water spurt to pull out undesired materials from the exterior. The main motive behind pressure washing is to make use of water at high pressure to discharge all the dirt and smut gathered up on the surface.
A commercial surface cleaner is composed of a motor that generates the hydraulic ram, a pipe of high pressure, and an activator designed like a trigger of a gun. The quantity of the applied pressure, which is measured in PSI ( pounds per square inch), is altered on different devices to serve the specific cleaning necessities.
Common Uses
Pressure washing is an extremely reliable way of cleaning and can be done for a number of locales.
● Home Exteriors: The outdoor areas of our homes are exposed the most to the deposition of any sort of grime or smut. Pressure washer surface cleaner helps eliminate all of the grimy stuff and restores the aspect of your home. It is most useful for homes with claddings where dirt is found confined in the channels.
1. Driveways and Walkways: Other settings exposed to stains and blemishes are driveways and walkways, as they are usually open to staining from foot traffic and vehicles or nature in general. Pressure washing helps clear out all these blemishes and rejuvenate the real aspect of these exteriors.
2. Decks and Patios: Ornaments and courtyards, i.e., decks and patios, are prone to becoming discolored and slithery because of the deposition of algae and molds. Pressure washing wipes them out and removes all the stains.
3. Fences: A frequent pressure wash of wooden and metal fences helps with the prevention of sedentary smut, dust, and corrosion, making them look fresh and new.
4. Commercial Buildings: Businesses find it very necessary to hire pressure washing services in order to keep their surroundings clean and give a reputable sight of their buildings to assure a professional outlook for their users and clients.
Hence, pressure washing with Commercial grade surface cleaners is an effective and versatile way of rejuvenating and maintaining the outlook and aspect of exteriors and outdoor areas to help them look fresh as new.
Factors to Consider When Pressure Washing in Winter
● Temperature
Bitterly cold temperatures can cause numerous challenges to pressure washing. Starting with the possibility of water freezing in the pipe, nozzle, or ram, causing great harm to the device. However, moving your device to a warmer place can reverse the damage caused. Secondly, conducting pressure washing at a place with temperatures lower than freezing point can result in water being frozen over the surface or exterior being cleaned, which makes it less efficient and also ruins the surface.
● Safety Concerns
There is a possibility of ice patches being formed on the surface where pressure washing is done mainly when the water doesn’t evaporate or volatilize quickly, resulting in the floor or surface becoming slippery, which is hazardous for both the device and the person using it and other people walking by in the surroundings. It is important to be careful of this and take safety measures, for example, pressure washing on a day when the temperature is slightly warmer and disintegrating sand and salt on the clean area.
● Equipment Wear
The lastingness of a pressure washer can be influenced by cold weather. The internal equipment made up of plastic and rubber becomes fragile in low temperatures, causing it to become breakable easily. The viscosity of the oil inside the machine increases, making it difficult for the motor to be generated easily. It is suggested to acknowledge the producer’s instructions on operating temperatures and think about winter-grade lubricants if required.
Benefits of Pressure Washing in Winter
● Removing Winter Grime and Salt Residue
It is apparent that Winter comes; it brings slush, hail, road salt, and snow with it. This blend results in blemishes on sidewalks, footpaths, and driveways. Pressure washing can incredibly eliminate the winter dirt, conserving the aspect and wholeness of the exterior.
● Preparing Surfaces for Winter Treatments or Sealants
Often, people look to apply plaster or sealants on surfaces for their safety and protection from cold weather damage. Pressure washing here is a beneficial initiative to make sure that the plaster is applied firmly and the proper safety is provided to the exterior.
● Less Pollen and Allergens
Winter season supplies a cleaner atmosphere for pressure washing, dissimilar to spring when pollen levels are increased. This confirms that the surfaces that are to be cleaned are not only free of smut and dust but also free of allergens, which may cause harmful effects to people.
Challenges and Precautions
● Water Freezing
One of the most obvious risks in pressure washing in cold conditions is the possibility of freezing water. This can take place inside the device, such as in the pipe or ram, or on the exterior that has to be cleansed. To oppose the occurrence of such circumstances, it’s necessary to check the temperatures appropriately and avoid pressure wasting when the temperature is below freezing.
● Daylight Hours
It is evident that winter days are shorter, and daylight is very precise to carry out our outdoor activities, including pressure washing. Early during the day, light is available to quite an extent, and that is the best time to perform pressure washing or complete any of your desired tasks.
● Protecting Plants
Cold water can have a negative impact on plants. Moreover, even if some cleaning solutions are eco-friendly, they can still cause harm to plants when used in huge amounts. It is better to cover the plants with plastic or cloth when pressure washing near them and wash them off with fresh water to avoid any possible damage.
● Equipment Maintenance
Frequent maintenance is more critical during cold times, but it is necessary to do them also, as winter months can be harsh on the device. Make sure that all the components of your pressure washer are in good working condition, and keep them in a dry and warmer place when you are not using it to ensure freezing and other weather-related damages.
Surface Cleaner Tips for Successful Winter Pressure Washing
● Choosing the Right Time of Day
In order to reduce the possibility of freezing, one should consider pressure washing during the warmest hours of the day, i.e., midday to early afternoon. Keep your weather forecast in check so that you can choose the appropriate days for pressure washing.
● Using Antifreeze Solutions or Heated Water
Pressure washer surface cleaners with wheels are composed in a way to perform their task with warm water only. This can be advantageous in cold temperatures as hot water not only avoids the risk of freezing but also increases the cleaning effectiveness. If your device does not favor warm water, then contemplate adding antifreeze solutions made especially for pressure washers to protect the device from getting frozen up.
● Properly Drying Areas to Prevent Ice Formation
Post-pressure washing, it is necessary to make sure that the areas that are cleansed are dried out sufficiently to avoid the accumulation of ice, which can result in a slipping hazard. Squeegees and blower usage can help perform the drying process quickly.
● Wearing Appropriate Clothing and Safety Gear
In cold temperatures, it is advised to wear thick and warm clothes, as working outside in cold temperatures can be harmful. To avoid getting slipped and to be comfortable while walking, it is necessary to wear waterproof boots. In addition to this, protective gloves and goggles should be worn to ensure safety against the water spurt.
Alternative Cleaning Methods for Winter
Soft Washing
Soft washing is a process in which a lower pressure is applied rather than the usual one. It is amalgamated with specialized cleaning solutions to get rid of smut and dirt. It is an incredible alternative for surfaces that may be too fragile for high-pressure washing or when freezing is concerned since the decreased water volume can help reduce the possibility of ice formation.
Hand Scrubbing
For compact places or fragile surfaces, most of the time, old-fashioned ways are the best to be applied. Floor scrubber for pressure washer done by hand with the help of brushes and the correct cleaning solution can be efficient for spot treating. It requires labor, though, but ensures complete control over the cleaning procedure.
Using Eco-Friendly, Ice-Preventing Cleaning Solutions
There are a number of products out there that are composed in a way that helps clean efficiently without the formation of ice. These products prove to be essential during winter seasons, providing an extra layer of protection by decreasing the risk of slithery surfaces.
Conclusion
Pressure washing done in cold weather is, without a doubt, a very viable action. With all the safety measures taken, it proves to be efficient in performing its function. Its advantages are captivating grounds to examine this cleaning method even in winter as it immensely helps in deep cleaning to get rid of all the accumulation of dust and smut.
Nevertheless, similarly to any task, devising and safety is of utmost importance. To ensure the readiness of devices to be used in Winter, it is also necessary to consider the apparent ice hazard. Moreover, there is no problem in looking over other possible options for cleaning, mainly when coming across a specific challenging condition where the temperature is low and the exterior is also fragile.
Eventually, the use of pressure washing during Winter is decided on distinct grounds, considering the pros and cons. By going through this study, it is evident that businesses and homeowners can make pressure washing a choice to ensure the maintenance and freshness of their properties.
We are Eveage. Our purpose is to educate you about your engine type and help you get your hands on the best fuels for it. Even with the fuel additives, our products go well and enhance their performance. You can test Eveage commercial surface cleaner yourself and see how things take place at our premises. The Eveage Pressure Washer Surface Cleaner is devised to change the way cleaning is done by being energy and time-efficient. This handy tool is equipped with distinctive features, tailor-made to ease the routine of daily cleaning. So don’t let your engine suffer anymore; shake hands with Eveage to aim for better engine performance on all sorts of terrains. Lock your sit-in for a free consultation today!
