Pressure washing is an effective technique to ensure your Jacksonville FL property remains appealing. This city’s weather can be particularly tough on your property, considering the long, hot, humid summers and high levels of precipitation year-round. Your home’s exterior can quickly accumulate dirt, algae, mildew, and other debris. If left unattended, this can deface your home both aesthetically and structurally.
A common question posed by those who resort to pressure washing for property maintenance is when exactly to do it. Should you pressure wash at the end of the year or as you usher in the new year? What season of the year is best to thoroughly clean your exteriors? It shouldn’t be a matter of guesswork. Read on below for more insights on timing your power washing routine.
What is the Best Time of the Year for Pressure Washing?
The quick answer to this question is spring or fall. During these seasons, the weather in Jacksonville FL is mild and the humidity is lower. This combination allows cleaned surfaces to dry more quickly. Fast drying prevents water spots, streaks, and mold or mildew growth.
When your home’s exterior surfaces dry too slowly, they tend to retain moisture, and this provides a conducive environment for mold and mildew. Furthermore, quicker drying times reduce the likelihood of dirt and debris settling back onto the freshly cleaned surfaces. This makes the cleaning long-lasting. A reliable Jacksonville FL company, like As New Again Pressure Washing, knows these cleaning and drying dynamics too well and can advise you on the best time to pressure wash.
Another reason why spring and fall are ideal is because it’s this is when you’re most likely to find a break in the rainy weather. It’s advisable to pressure wash when it’s not raining for several reasons. First, the surfaces may already be wet or saturated, and the cleaning agent may not be absorbed properly to get rid of dirt, grime, and debris. Thus, the surfaces may not get properly cleaned.
Secondly, rain may wash away the detergents even before they soak in on the surfaces they’re applied to. The cleaning job will be incomplete in this case.
Thirdly, rain washing on cleaned surfaces can leave behind streaks or water spots on surfaces, especially on delicate ones like painted walls or windows. These blemishes may be hard to remove.
And finally, rain makes most surfaces slippery, creating a safety hazard for both the person doing the cleaning and anyone nearby. Pressure washing in dry weather reduces such risks.
Tips and Tricks for Each Season
While spring and fall are the best times of the year for pressure washing, it doesn’t mean you can’t do it in winter or summer. Whatever time you do it, it helps to know the best approach to use. Below are some helpful seasonal tips and tricks for pressure washing.
Spring
Spring is a good time to initiate your pressure washing routine. This is right after the harsh winter months, when properties tend to accumulate dirt, grime, and organic growth like moss, mold, or mildew.
Pressure wash the driveways, patios, and sidewalks to remove the salt and debris from winter. This prepares your outdoor space for spring activities. Also, clean the siding, gutters, and fences that have been exposed to dirt and mildew over the colder months. For your decks and patios, you may want to first inspect them for damage or splinters before pressure washing. Depending on their condition, adjust the pressure to a level that won’t cause further splintering.
Summer
Summer is characterized by increased outdoor activity, meaning more dirt and debris on your house. Mold also thrives in warm weather. So, make it a habit to pressure wash surfaces that are used more often, like decks or patios. This revamps their look while also removing slippery mold or algae.
Pollen and dust are usually at their peak in summer. So, you may want to clean all exterior surfaces, including outdoor furniture, decorative items, and siding. This leads to a healthier environment that won’t irritate those allergic to pollen and dust.
Stains from food, drinks, and outdoor activities can be more prominent in summer due to the high heat levels. Thus, you may want to use a stronger cleaning agent and a higher pressure setting.
While quicker drying is advantageous, you wouldn’t want the surfaces to dry too quickly. This tends to leave streaks or residue behind. Therefore, pressure wash early in the morning or late in the evening when the sun is still mild.
Fall
Fall comes with a lot of leaves on every surface as plants prepare for the coming cold season. Don’t allow the leaves and debris to stay put for too long. Surfaces may get leaf stains, which can be tough to remove. Blow them away using a leaf blower and then pressure wash. Remember tricky spots like gutters, which are likely to be filled with leaves.
Humidity can indeed be lower in fall, but that doesn’t mean there’s no probability of mold or mildew growth. Shaded or damp areas still offer perfect conditions for such organic growth. Pressure wash these areas to eliminate these growths.
Winter
Winter could be the most challenging of the four seasons because of the cold weather and the risk of freezing water. Exercise extra caution when pressure washing near areas where water can freeze, such as driveways and sidewalks. You’d want to wait for a dry and warm day to ensure the water dries up faster.
You may also encounter frozen debris, which becomes difficult to remove the more it’s compacted. While pressure washing can help break up the ice and loosen the stuck debris, be careful not to damage the surfaces. Wood or glass can crack or warp if subjected to high pressure in cold temperatures.
High-traffic areas, such as entryways, driveways, and walkways, tend to accumulate salt, sand, and grime from snow. The surfaces thus become slippery, which is a safety hazard. Wash these areas more frequently to maintain safety.
Conclusion
Each season of the year presents unique challenges and opportunities for pressure washing. Knowing the dynamics of cleaning your exteriors during these different times of the year helps you do it correctly. The result is clean surfaces, boosted aesthetics, and improved curb appeal.
While you can do it yourself, leaving the pressure washing job to experienced professionals is recommended because of the guaranteed results. Experts also know how best to protect surfaces from damage. Choose the right pressure washing company and enjoy your clean and sparkling home.
