Winter is one of the best times to clean the house because dirt and stains would have accumulated from the beginning of the year. Furthermore, the cold weather further solidifies these dirt particles and makes them harder to clean by summer.
It can be challenging to remove these stains on our surfaces using a garden hose or brush. However, some of the best pressure washer surface cleaners are efficient in removing grime, mold, mildew, and other stubborn materials.
It is possible to pressure wash your surfaces during the winter, especially if you have the necessary tools and knowledge required for the job.
Challenges of Pressure Washing in Water
Your location, weather conditions, and skill in operating the pressure washer will greatly affect your ability to pressure wash during winter. The easiest option is to get an expert if you want to power wash in winter, however, you can do it yourself if you’re confident enough.
There are different challenges that can arise when washing in the winter, and the source of these challenges is the cold weather. The cold can affect your equipment and your health if proper care is not taken.
Challenges to Your Equipment and Yourself
The pressure washer is made of different parts and operates using water at high pressure. The surface cleaner parts are susceptible to cold weather because they need water to operate.
Frozen Equipment
As we mentioned earlier, the pressure washer uses water as its mechanism of operation. There is a high chance that water will be left inside the washer, and this can easily turn into ice without proper storage.
There are also some places where water instantly turns to ice once exposed to air. It will be difficult to use a cold water pressure washer in places like this, and the ice can block the nozzle or pipes.
It is also possible for the cold to freeze your water source, and you may need to keep reheating which is not economical for light bills.
Environmental Challenges
Aside from the challenges to your equipment, the cold also affects your surroundings. The roads, walkways, driveways, and other surfaces are usually slippery and dangerous to walk on during the winter.
It is quite dangerous to walk about with a semi-heavy tool like the pressure washer; you’re at risk of slipping and hurting yourself. Also, it is harder to wash frozen surfaces, and you will need to put more effort.
Challenges to Yourself
Another challenge you will face is the effect of the cold on your body. Staying outside for too long without proper protection can cause your frostbite and hypothermia. It is also possible to develop cold-related illnesses like a cold or flu.
Furthermore, there is the added risk of you slipping and hurting yourself.
Why Should You Pressure Wash During Winter
The idea of pressure washing during winter is not all bad, and there are some benefits to enjoy if done properly.
Safety
Surfaces tend to be slippery during the winter, and the presence of dirt, oil, grime, moss and other materials can make them more slippery and dangerous to navigate. Cleaning your surfaces with a pressure washer helps to prevent the build-up of dirt and other unwanted materials that can make them slippery.
Aesthetics
Having clean surfaces gives your home a pleasant appearance that appeals to your guests and others.
Furthermore, there is limited sunlight during the winter, and having grime-covered windows won’t help your lighting condition. Properly cleaning surfaces like your windows will allow more sunlight into your home and lighten the areas.
Get Ahead of Spring Cleaning
After winter comes spring, and a lot of other chores come with spring. You can save yourself extra stress and time by cleaning the surfaces of your home during the winter.
Spring cleaning alone is a lot of work; you have to tend to the garden and do a lot of interior cleaning. However, pressure washing during the winter saves you the stress of cleaning the exterior in addition to the interior of your home.
Best Practices for Winter Pressure Washing
As we said earlier, pressure washing in the winter doesn’t have to be difficult as long as you have the right information.
Pick The Best Pressure Washer Surface Cleaner
The first step to successfully cleaning your surfaces during the winter is getting the right surface cleaner. There are two main types of surface cleaners: pressure washer surface cleaner and power washer surface cleaner.
Both surface cleaners use water at high pressure to clean surfaces. However, the power washer uses hot water.
If you want to effectively clean the surface of your home, it is better to get the best power washer surface cleaner. You can get any of the best commercial surface cleaners to do the job perfectly.
Use the Right Techniques
Once you’ve got the right equipment for the job, you must know how to use it effectively.
Extra Heat
The power washer uses hot water to clean surfaces, but you may need to further increase the temperature during winter. You can increase the temperature to about 190 degrees Fahrenheit to remove ice and other signs of freezing.
Afternoon Wash
No matter how cold it might be in your area during winter, there will be a time of the day when the sun is highest. Although it might not be as hot as it will be during spring, the sun will still come out a bit during winter.
Plan your cleaning schedule so that it falls in the afternoon. The extra heat from the sun, no matter how small, will help during the cleaning process. Pressure washing in the afternoon will prevent water from freezing and will help to dry out surfaces within a shorter time.
Consider the Chemicals
You will need some chemicals to effectively clean your surfaces, commonly referred to as cleaning solutions. Different cleaning solutions have different effects, and some react differently to cold weather.
Aside from getting the right machine, it is key that you get a suitable cleaning solution for the weather. We advise trying out a few of these solutions on small portions of the surface you intend to clean and go for the one that is more suitable.
Testing out the cleaning solutions will prevent wastage in the long run and also save you extra costs. You might also need to mix different solutions to get the required standard for the weather.
De-Ice
De-icing is a key part of working in the cold. Due to harsh weather conditions, it is normal for surfaces to be frozen over, like your driveway, roads, front porch, and more. You can reduce the chances of slipping or other related accidents by defrosting the ice on surfaces before pressure washing.
Simple things like sand, salt, and magnesium chloride are effective for removing ice from surfaces.
Protect Your Equipment
We’ve looked at some of the ways the cold can affect your pressure washer and the other parts under challenges. So, what’s the best way to avoid these challenges?
You should keep your pressure washer and accessories in a warm room, preferably close to the heater. The heat will prevent ice from building up inside the machine, and also prevent the parts from freezing up.
Furthermore, ensure you let the pressure washer dry properly before storing. Leaving water residue inside the washer can cause ice to build up and block the washer when next you need it.
Protect Yourself
We’ve also mentioned some of the common challenges that can affect you, such as frostbite, hypothermia, and cold-related illnesses.
You can overcome these challenges by dressing appropriately before stepping out to clean. Endeavor to wear protective gear including gloves and spiked boots.
When Should You Avoid Pressure Washing in Winter?
The main factor to consider before going out to pressure wash is the coldness. There are times when the temperature is manageable and the sun produces a reasonable amount of warmth.
However, there are times when the temperature can be very harsh with little or no sunlight throughout the day. It is not advisable to pressure wash under this type of weather condition.
You can also use the temperature outside as a yardstick. Don’t attempt washing if the temperature outside is 20 degrees or below, it will pose a huge risk to your equipment and health. At this temperature, you will notice water freezing in almost immediate contact with air.
What To Do When You Can’t Wash In The Winter
If you’re unable to wash by yourself, you can easily outsource the job to someone with higher qualifications like an expert. Professional pressure washers will know the tricks to beat harsh weather, and can do a better job than you.
So instead of exposing yourself to unnecessary danger, contact a professional. And if you can’t afford professional help, wait for a time when the weather is more favorable with more sunlight and heat.
Conclusion
We’ve seen that it is possible to pressure wash during water contrary if you have the right tools and knowledge. Proper knowledge includes the challenges that come with pressure washing in winter, the benefits, the right tools, techniques, and safety measures.
The biggest factor that affects pressure washing in the winter is the cold. You must consider the harshness of the environment when making plans, and take proper countermeasures to prevent accidents.
We’ve looked at some steps you can adopt to successfully pressure wash during winter such as getting the right power washer, using the right cleaning solution, surface cleaner tips, properly storing tools, and much more. However, don’t hesitate to get professional help if the weather is too harsh or you have doubts.
