WHY YOU SHOULD HIRE A PRESSURE WASHER
If you’re planning to sell your home, go take a walk out your front door. How does the exterior of your house look? Does it have a visible layer of...
Renting pressure washers to clean the many surfaces of your home can be dangerous. Learn why you might want to hire a professional pressure washer instead.
Got a dingy driveway? Has your roof become streaked and stained? Do you want to restore the natural beauty of your deck or fence? You might need the services of a qualified pressure washing company.
Though pressure washers can be bought by consumers, the machinery and process are dangerous, with water pressure powerful enough to cause serious injuries. The pressure stream can pierce skin and eyes if exposed, so pressure washing machine should be used with extreme caution in any scenario.
Additonally, consumer pressure washers may not deliver the pressure necessary for all jobs. Because these machines can be rented out over and over again, and be destructive and potentially harmful, some consumer machines might be less powerful than expected. You might find out that you can’t complete your job or get the result you were seeking.
Average Cost of Professional Service
The cost of professional pressure washing costs between 8 and 80 cents per square foot, depending on local rates and the type of job. According to Costhelper.com, pressure washing the exterior of a 2,100-square-foot home can cost between $150 and $750. However, if the exterior of your house is clad in lead paint, check with your local health department before pressure washing.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Professional Pressure Washer
Ask how much pressure, which is measured by pounds per inch and gallons per minute, will be used. Some professionals believe more is not necessarily better, especially on surfaces like wood, grout and roofing.
Ask if environmentally-friendly cleaning solutions are used.
Ask whether cold water or hot water is used. Cold water might not be as effective on extremely dirty of greasy areas, so hot water can have certain advantages.
Ask for estimates, references, insurance, bonding and licensure.
July 7, 2011
By Angie’s List staff