Stop Blaming The "Pressure Washer!"

Steven Rowlett;270067 said:

Well said Everett. Chemicals do the cleaning and it is rare that more than 800 psi is needed except for cleaning concrete surfaces. 500 psi will rinse most any surface. I would put my hand in the path of the spray just to show everyone how little pressure I used. "If it did not hurt my hand How could it hurt the surface I was working on?"








One of the most common used tools for homeowners and contractors is a pressure washer and often times there is damage done and we are quick to blame the equipment and not the lack of education in using this piece of equipment. Homeowners use a pressure washer for many different uses including cleaning of their vehicles, houses, decks and patio furniture, concrete driveways, sidewalks, and pool areas, and so much more. Many trades also employ the use of a pressure washer including General Contractors, Pool Companies, Window Cleaners, Painters, Landscapers, Contract Cleaners, and many more. The common theme among these wide varieties of uses and trades is that they are attempting to "clean and restore" surfaces using pressurized water only when in fact, pressurized water will not clean and restore anything. A pressure washer more appropriately should be regarded as a big "rinsing" tool. You need the aid of the proper cleaners and products as well as the right tools and attachments to properly clean and restore using the least amount of pressure to get the job done relying less on the equipment to do the "work." The actual "work" or cleaning should come from the proper use of detergents, surfactants, bleaches, etc. and their recommended dwell times. Dwell time is the amount of time the cleaning solution is left on a surface to effectively "do the work." After allowing the used product to dwell a pressure washer should be used at the lowest pressure possible to effectively rinse all surfaces. In some instances, specifically wood, a second step in restoration is performed to complete the job correctly that doesn't require a pressure washer at all!
The problem for the true professional contractor is that this has ALWAYS been the proper method. There is a common belief among the public and MANY uneducated contractors and trades that pressure washers and pressurized water will somehow "clean and restore." This situation is made worse when a guy from one of these home shopping channels is shown blasting wood with just a pressure washer and water, when You Tube is loaded with "experts" and companies that show improper methods and uses, the person at the big box stores, who people assume is a guru, that spouts improper techniques and ways that cause damage, or even the contractor hired who actually does perform work in this destructive manner. Because of these practices and accumulated damage over the year's contractors who perform pressure washing services are not considered in high regard and the industry has a black eye. This has led to the new buzzword "soft washing" which is basically the same as what true professionals have been doing for years which is rely on proper chemicals and cleaners and little pressure used in applications and in some cases no use of a pressure washer.
Amazingly, the most overlooked aspect of a true professional is that they will be VERY knowledgeable of the "Clean Water Act" and environmental cleaning concerning run off and recovery, many chemicals and their uses and applications, and the proper methods of cleaning and restoring the many surfaces they encounter. This type of work is MUCH more than using a machine that pressurizes water to an uneducated public. We need to STOP BLAMING the pressure washer! It is not the machine that causes the damage it is the uneducated people using them that is causing the destruction and not restoration. The manufacturers and industry leaders need to step up and worry about more than units sold and worry about educating proper uses of their equipment. If you are going to perform this type of work you should do the proper research and realize that there is much more involved than first thought and if you are hiring a contractor ask questions on their methods and procedures. If you don't get the right answers move onto the next one, this usually involves paying for what the service is truly worth. In the end you will avoid damage and many headaches!

Everett Abrams is the founder and President of Deck Restoration Plus. Deck Restoration Plus is a highly regarded company that specializes in exterior wood restoration. Everett Abrams is also the co-founder of Contractors Foundation. Contractors Foundation is a company that educates trades to operate successful and profitable companies.

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