PWNA Power washing Standards
Standard; Applies to the pressurized washing of exterior surfaces for maintenance and cleaning. Ensure all wash procedures comply with all national, state, and local laws regarding wash water reclamation.
House Washing: (Pressurized cleaning of the exterior surface of a commercial or residential property. Surfaces may include: aluminum, vinyl, stucco, and brick.)
Evaluate each side of the property and note troubled areas and damage.
Evaluate the type of siding on the surface of the property and utilize the appropriate pressure required for the surface type to avoid any damage.
Use nozzles sized to deliver a maximum of 600 PSI.
Remove all items away from the structure to ensure they do not come into contact with water or detergent. (Items include, but not limited to: potted plants, door mats, patio furniture, barbeque grills, flags, yard decorations; cushions, and awnings.)
Pre wet windows before applying detergent. Pre wet all vegetation and any surfaces near the home that may be exposed to detergent.
Apply detergent with a fan pattern soap nozzle (25 degree spray angle or larger) and set tip spray pattern to the vertical position.
Keep the tip no closer than five (5) feet from the surface and at a flat angle.
Use only a biodegradable detergent. “Biodegradable” refers to detergentthat is not harmful to humans, vegetation, or pets. “Detergent” refers to a water based solution that will kill mold and mildew as well as a good surfactant. (Surfactant: a compound that lowers the surface tension of a liquid).
Detergent is double applied by using a side to side motion and working from the bottom to the top of the surface. Special attention should be given to peaks, corners, window trims, downspouts, gutters, dormers, and roofline angles. The first application should dwell for approximately two (2) minutes prior to the second application of detergent.
Use a long range soap nozzle (00 degree spray angle) to reach taller surfaces and ensure that this tip is held no closer than fifteen (15) feet away from the surface.
Apply the second application of detergent in the same manner as the first.
Ensure detergent is applied at a quick and efficient pace to avoid any drying onto the surface.
Detergent may need to dwell longer in areas of heavy mildew or green algae or be applied multiple times.
A gentle scrub with a soft bristle brush may be used selectively in any areas needing agitation.
Ensure that all detergent is flushed from the hose before beginning rinse.
Rinse the surface from the top to the bottom with special attention given to gutters, fascia, soffits, and peaks.
Use 00 degree spray angle nozzle to reach the taller areas and a 25 degree spray angle nozzle on the lower areas.
Triple rinse all windows using a safe distance and pressure.
Check over the entire surface to ensure that all areas were properly soaped, thoroughly rinsed, and are free of all mold, mildew, dirt, and surface contaminants.
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