Are you hoping to pressure wash your Chicago property in the near future? While you may be itching to leap into the DIY process, we’d recommend that you pump the brakes a bit. Leaping into this process without the correct precautions could easily result in disaster. For example, are you prepared to avoid any and all accidents? Do you know the best pressure washing safety guidelines to keep in mind during your project?
If not, you’re in the right place! In this blog, Chicagoland Pressure Washing will teach you all about pressure washing safety and how to stay safe during your work. That way, you can make it through your project without any issues.
Tip #1: Take Your Time
So, you want to do your own pressure washing. If you want to stay safe in the process, there’s one pressure washing safety tip that we can’t stress enough: take your time. Seriously. By slowing down your pace and paying attention to every little decision you make, you’ll be more cautious and more calculated in your work. By not being hasty, you give mistakes fewer opportunities to manifest, and you enjoy a safer workflow.
Plus, taking your time is a great way to increase the quality of the final results of your work. Keep an eye out for the details and ensure that every particle of debris is removed from surfaces. That way, you have a brighter, more beautiful property that will earn compliments from your neighbors.
Tip #2: Wear Safety Equipment
Pressurized water is not something you should take lightly. There’s a reason it’s so effective at cleaning surfaces, and that’s because it is extremely strong. For example, water is sometimes pressurized to a level of 3,500 PSI to clean surfaces like concrete and asphalt. Can you imagine what it would be like if you accidentally struck your skin with this pressurized water? It could easily cause a bruise or even slice you open.
To reduce the risk of this happening, we highly recommend wearing safety equipment. Goggles and gloves will protect your eyes and hands, and we also suggest that you wear full-length pants and closed-toe shoes. The less bare skin you expose, the less likely you are to hurt yourself during a pressure washing project,
Tip #3: Never Point the Hose At Yourself
This is a common sense suggestion. Whenever pressure washing your property’s exterior surfaces, never point the hose at yourself. All it takes is one wrong press, and suddenly, you’ll be spraying a stream of high-pressure water at your own body. This could result in injury and potentially even a trip to the emergency room. We doubt this is how you want to spend your day when you’re supposed to be cleaning your property.
Basic trigger discipline will help you greatly during your project. Simply keep your hose aimed at the surfaces you intend to clean. A little bit of attentiveness pays off when pressure washing, so always keep that in mind.
Tip #4: Sweep Surfaces Before Washing Them
Are you planning to pressure wash a sidewalk, driveway, patio, or any other kind of flat, ground-based surface? If so, we highly recommend that you sweep the surface before pressure washing. This is because these surfaces have often collected larger pieces of debris, such as pebbles. By removing this from the surface before pressure washing, you don’t just streamline the process—you actually improve pressure washing safety.
But how? It’s simple: pebbles and other larger pieces of debris can be launched by jets of pressurized water. When this happens, they turn into projectiles, potentially damaging your windows or even flying against your body. Reduce the risk of injury by sweeping your surfaces ahead of time!
Tip #5: Remember Ladder Safety
Do you need to pressure wash high-up surfaces, such as roofs, awnings, and two-story exteriors? If so, using a ladder may become necessary during your project. However, before you start clambering up that ladder, it’s a great idea to review some basic ladder safety. For example, you should always set up your ladder in flat, level places. And don’t forget the rule of three points of contact. You have two arms and two legs: three of them should be on the ladder at all times.
Remember that one careless error is all it takes to sustain a grievous injury when using a ladder. Always pay attention and don’t let yourself become distracted. An investment in your safety today will save you trouble, pain, and money in the future.
Don’t Forget the Safety of Your Property
It’s not just your body that you should aim to protect. You also need to safeguard your property. Careless pressure washing techniques can cause serious damage to your home or business, and it always pays to take precautions. For example, always research how much water pressure to use when cleaning exterior surfaces. The exact amount varies based on the material or substance that you are pressure washing.
Annual pressure washing is a great way to prevent surface debris from damaging your property over time. In other words, correctly pressure washing surfaces actually keeps them safer longer. If it’s already been over a year since your property was pressure washed, why not plan to have it cleaned sooner rather than later?
Consider Professional Pressure Washing
Pressure washing safety is important. If you don’t feel confident that you can do this work safely, what should you do? In this scenario, we highly recommend that you reach out to your friends at Chicagoland Pressure Washing. We are a full-service business that specializes in exterior cleaning, and when it comes to pressure washing safety, we’re at the top of the game. Our fully trained and insured team will complete this work flawlessly for you!
To schedule an appointment with Chicagoland Pressure Washing, contact us online and let us know how we can serve you. We’ll give you a free cost estimate, and then, you can choose a time and date for your appointment. We’ll be there soon to make your surfaces spotless!
