Pressure washing is a highly effective method for cleaning your home. A professional power washing job can transform your home’s look, making it appear brand-new without investing in costly remodeling. While many homeowners power wash in the spring and summer, pressure washing in the winter can be a great way to give your home’s exterior new life.
When done correctly, winter pressure washing gives your home a new look, but it can create problems if done incorrectly. Choosing the right company and conditions will help make your power washing job last. Here are some tips to help you learn how to power wash in the winter successfully.
Can You Power Wash Your House in the Winter?
Power washing in the cold is possible, but you need to watch out for freezing temperatures. If you’re pressure washing your home, try to do it when the temperature is above 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit. You cannot pressure wash in the snow — if it’s too cold, the water will freeze and cause issues for your home and concrete.
When hiring a power washing team, you’ll also have to consider the weather. If it’s colder and raining more than a drizzle, it’s best to reschedule. With winds and rain, there will be lots of interference with cleaning, and conditions could be too cold even if the temperature is above freezing. As the water settles, it can quickly turn sidewalks and driveways icy. Stay safe and finish your power washing before the weather gets too cold.
Why Get Your Home and Concrete Power Washed in the Winter?
Winter power washing is a great way to prepare your home for spring. A good power washing will remove all the dirt and debris from your home’s exterior, leaving you with a clean slate for any upcoming spring projects. You’ll have an easier time touching up the exterior and performing home maintenance without a layer of fall and winter grime covering your house.
Ideally, you’ll have your home pressure washed at least once a year. Between March and November is the best time to schedule these services, but you can hire a cleaning team in the winter.
Sealing and power washing concrete in the winter is an excellent way to protect your concrete surfaces. One of the reasons concrete cracks is the freeze-thaw cycle of winter. As concrete absorbs water and the weather cools and warms, the moisture in the concrete will expand and contract. The expansion and contraction eventually leads to cracks. Replacing concrete is expensive — avoid replacements with a concrete wash and seal to protect the material from chips and cracks year-round.
How to Power Wash Your Home in the Winter
While there is some potential for power washing to lead to freezes and other issues, when done correctly, it’s a great way to clean your home. With the right guide, power washing in winter becomes relatively simple. If you’re power washing your home, you’ll need to keep your house and yourself safe during the process. To protect your home while winter power washing, follow these tips:
- Use hot water: Hot water is critical for a successful winter power washing job. Using hot water helps protect your pipes from freezing and minimizes the risk of ice forming on exterior surfaces. Additionally, hot water will help remove grime more easily.
- Wash in the sun: Try to stick to the sun and stay out of the shade when power washing. The shade is cooler, increasing your chances of freezing home surfaces and pipes. The warm sunlight will improve the water’s evaporation rate, avoiding that unwanted freeze.
- Protect yourself: Always wear the proper gear when winter power washing. Wear enough layers, and always use gloves, goggles, hats and rubber footwear during the washing. Good gear protects you from the water and helps you avoid slips during the job.
- De-ice: Use de-icing tools like salt to remove ice on and around the house before power washing. De-icing prevents runoff from turning into more ice and prepares the home’s exterior for a good wash.
- Protect your equipment: Prevent freezing in your power washing machine by storing it somewhere warm and dry before and after the job. Any freezing can lead to increased wear and even burst pumps.
- Check fittings: Many outdoor water sources are shut off in winter to prevent freezing. Check your indoor fittings to ensure you have fresh, clean water access during the washing process.
- Check cleaners: To keep your power washing safe and effective, watch out for chemical imbalances. Cold weather can affect cleaners, leading to separation, freezing and ineffectiveness. Store your cleaning products in warm, dry areas to prevent separation and freezing. Also, double-check your products to ensure you’re using the right amount for the job and weather.
If you’re concerned about taking on this process yourself, get help from professional pressure washing services. Experts have the proper equipment and knowledge to clean your home’s exterior, even during the colder months.
Other Tips for Keeping Your Home Clean in the Winter
Winterizing your home involves more than power washing. While power washing cleans your home’s exterior and improves its life span, you’ll need to perform additional maintenance regularly to protect your home during the winter. Here are some tips to help you winterize your home this season:
- Clean your gutters: Debris build-up in your gutters can lead to water flooding onto your roof and leaks. Keep your gutters clear of debris to allow proper drainage and prevent roof and siding damage.
- Seal cracks: Seal up gaps around windows, doors, mail slots and air conditioners. Sealing keeps the cold out and prevents debris and insects from entering your house.
- Salt your driveway: Salt the driveway and sidewalks before snow and freezes. Salt keeps your walkways safe and prevents dangerous ice spots from forming on your property.
- Seal concrete: Use a concrete wash and seal service to protect your concrete from cracks and chips. It will help maintain the integrity of your concrete, so you don’t have to pay for expensive replacements.
- Clear snow: Clear snow off gutters, window sills, walkways and overhangs. Snow’s heavy weight can damage structures, and any snow build-up can lead to leaks and water damage if left unchecked.
Trust the Professionals to Safely Power Wash Your Home in the Cold
No matter the season, the experts at Perfect Power Wash have the tools and experience to safely and effectively power wash your home. Give your home a high-quality clean with professional power washing services, and enjoy a debris-free exterior for months.
PPW has been homeowners’ trusted power washing service since 2000. If you’re interested in a superior full-home power wash, request a quote online or call us at 833-868-8873 today.
