One of the most common questions we get as professionals is, “Why should I hire you when I could do it myself?” The short answer is; you can do it yourself. The underlying question is, “Should you?”
When box-store pressure washers first hit the market around the 1970s, homeowners stormed the stores to see how much PSI they could afford. To this day, pressure washers have been marketed as “Higher PSI the better.” But after many years of people destroying their homes with high pressured machines, professionals turned to a smarter way of getting rid of mildew, algae and other contaminants. Using the proper equipment and technique is key whether you’re a homeowner or a professional washer.
Let’s look at some things to consider before deciding on DIY or using a pro.
DAMAGE
Because PSI is the main selling point for the big box stores (you know the ones!), consumers assume that more pressure means more clean. That isn’t necessarily true. There are few surfaces that can withstand the concentrated water pressure that a pressure washer expels, particularly at close range.
In fact, hardened surfaces like concrete and metal are among the shortlist. Using high PSI on siding and wooden surfaces like decks and fences is unnecessary and can be extremely costly to repair. We will address the most commonly damaged items:
- Home Siding – Vinyl, Wood, or Hardie
- Window Seals
- Oxidation
- Self
Siding – Your home’s siding is the first thing people notice about your home. It’s the face of your home. This is particularly important to potential home buyers.
Damage from too much pressure is sometimes irreversible. The siding will have to be replaced or chemically washed by a professional, both of which are more expensive than hiring a professional to do it right the first time.
Oxidation – It’s the most common occurrence I see when clients call after a DIY job… for a good reason; it’s a common phenomenon that affects most homes.
Have you ever leaned up against a surface and noticed a white substance on your clothes afterward? Viola, that’s oxidation.
If that surface is washed with high pressure, it will likely take that layer of oxidation off, leaving behind an unsightly design that will show you exactly where you washed and where you didn’t. The worst part (besides the awful streaks) is that it can only be fixed by replacing the siding or hiring a company like WISE WASH to remove it with specialized chemicals. This process is timely and comes at an appropriate cost because every piece of siding has to be hand washed and rinsed. If you want to learn more about the topic, please see our blog post on oxidation.
Windows – Most homes today are standardized with energy-efficient double pane windows. That means there are two panes of glass sealed together with a gas, usually argon, in the middle. The sealant attempts to keep the temperatures outside… well outside. When the seal is broken, the gas is released causing a white fog between the panes.
The window doesn’t typically leak, but will be much less energy efficient and is often no longer transparent. The seal gets broken when too much water pressure is used on the windows. All the water has to do is raise the seal enough to create an air pocket and bam, you need a new window.
Wood – We love our wooden surfaces! It’s pleasing to the eyes, sturdy and somewhat inexpensive compared to other products like iron, trex, etc.
Most decks and fences are pine, cedar, or similar wood. It’s beautiful and we’d like to keep it that way. Any marks or scars on the wood will show when it dries so extra care must be taken.
There are so many ways to clean wood (see our other blog posts about that), but high water pressure is rarely one of them. Using too much pressure on wood will mar the wood and create heavy furring, lessening the life of the wood. Also, keep in mind that washing is not the same as restoring.
Wood is an organic surface even if it is no longer alive. That means it is degenerating with every passing day. In order to maintain its strength and beauty for as long as possible, extra special care must be taken while cleaning it.
Blasting it will introduce too much water to the wood cells causing furring, and while bleaching it will kill the algae on the surface, it won’t reach deep into the fibers. Bleaching will also cause wood whitening and significantly alter its ph level, thereby reducing its life span and natural color.
Accidents – It is sometimes very tempting to use the water as a rinse aid for hands or even for feet if you decide washing in flip flops is a good idea (it isn’t!). Anyone who has used a pressure washer for any amount of time has had an accident or near-miss with the wand.
The amount of pressure that leaves the tip of the wand upon releasing the trigger is strong enough to sever fingers and toes… and has happened many times, even to some professionals.
One of the most common injuries is to the fingers when changing out the tips of the wand. Oftentimes, people will inadvertently pull the trigger while placing a new tip on. This will end with a trip to the emergency room every single time. Shooting water from zero degree nozzles can slice wood, fruit, and yes, even fingers in half easily.
LIABILITY
That last topic of injury segues nicely into the next concern. If any fingers get severed, let it be the professionals. WISE WASH takes extra care while washing. We’ve seen injuries, and we don’t want them. We wear the appropriate attire while washing that includes a waterproof suit, gloves, mask, and rubber-soled boots (no flip flops here). We carry $2 million dollars in liability insurance just in case the unforeseen happens. That means if someone is injured on the job, you are not responsible for it! The liability falls on Wise Wash. If you decide to hire a contractor other than us, always make sure they have insurance. Ask for their COI (certificate of insurance)!
HIGHER GROUND
If you have a second story home, how are you to reach it to clean it? Even if you decide to use pressure alone, you will most likely decide to use a ladder. The last thing you want is to pull the trigger on a 3500 psi washer while at the very top of a ladder. Nothing about that is safe.
For those who don’t like heights (I feel you there!), do you plan to only wash the lower half of the house? I can’t tell you how many times homeowners will ask me if I can clean just the lower half of the home. I tell them, “Yes, I can. But it costs the same as the whole house.” That’s because a professional clean is not the same as a pressure clean.
It is possible (and recommended if you insist on the DIY method) to purchase a “second story” nozzle. This special tip has a large orifice for a soap vacuum, discussed later. So plan ahead for that if it applies to you.
CLEAN OR NOT CLEAN
That is the question after all. When pressure only is applied, where does the algae go exactly? What little algae does get removed gets blasted off and grows somewhere else.
So what does Wise Wash do if not pressure? We use the miracle of chemical science to attain the best possible clean. We kill the algae and contaminants you can’t even see.
When pressure alone is used, you are forcing water molecules at a high rate of speed to the surface in hopes that it is strong enough to loosen algae. One problem with this method (besides possible damages) is that the water molecules can only remove other contaminants that are larger than it.
Organic growth can be smaller than the eye can see. Even if the algae was gone from your view, the roots of the growth are still there which means it will return faster than if it were killed in place. That’s where we come in. Wise Wash cleans smarter by killing the organism at its root with a custom algaecide.
Most homes in the South won’t see algae again for at least a year, possibly more. Depending on humidity, and the amount of sun your home sees, you may not need another wash for two years!
COST SAVINGS
It wouldn’t be a true comparison if we didn’t discuss the cost difference between a professional and a do-it-yourselfer. If you already own your machine and feel confident in your washing abilities, the monetary cost savings of the DIYer may be significant.
However, if you need to purchase a pressure washer, those costs must be considered. The average cost of a pressure washer in a big box store can vary from $400-$800 depending on model and PSI.
The uniqueness of homes varies greatly so there is no such thing as an “average” cost for a house wash by a professional. But most homes under 2000 sq ft can be cleaned for around $200. Fill out the contact form with your address, and Wise Wash will provide you with a free quote specific for your home.
Whatever you do, do NOT buy an electric pressure washer unless all you plan to do is wash your car. They will not withstand the rigorous water pump action for very long and your money will have been wasted.
One last thing to consider regarding costs; how long will it take you to complete the wash? The average homeowner can spend an entire weekend (or a few of them) finishing this tedious task.
The average 4-car driveway could take 2 or 3 days to completely clean using a wanding action. If you have ever attempted this, you know what back-breaking work it is.
Professionals like Wise Wash have specialized equipment designed for cleaning flat surfaces in fractions of the time it would take with a wand alone. That same 4-car driveway would take a professional approximately 30 minutes to wash and rinse, restoring its beauty.
VERDICT
The fact is, you can be a do-it-yourselfer. If you take the appropriate precautions and preventive measures, use the right equipment at the correct pressurized settings, and have the knowledge base of when to do what, you should have little issues washing your own home.
However, if this all seems a bit much to worry about than call a professional to take on the stress for you. In the time it takes for you to watch a sports game, Wise Wash can have your house cleaned and ready for the next season.
In the end, you have to weigh out what it’s worth to you. If you feel confident in the task, take it on; call us if you get stuck. If you don’t want to hassle with the intricacies of washing your own home, pass that worry to the pro.
We can get the job done for you with excellent customer service at a fair price.