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An
Atlanta Fencing Company where you get a good deal on a
better built fence installed using Good Quality Materials by
experienced installer at an Excellent
Values with the Best Customer Service from a Family Owned
Company in Georgia, Right in your back yard.
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Exterior Surface Kleen
We provide Residential and
Commercial pressure cleaning services for the Northeast Georgia region.
We strive to meet and exceed our customers' expectations in quality,
affordability, and professionalism. We will gladly provide free
estimates via phone or e-mail.
Aluminum & Iron FAQ'S
Vinyl-PVC FAQ'S
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House
Roof
Concrete
Gutters
Fence Return
to Top Decks
| Preparing your House Before Pressure Washing
Return to Top |
| Preparing for house pressure washing is not time consuming if you plan
ahead. It is always a good idea to make a checklist in order to ensure
that you covered all the bases. Locate your exterior power outlet if you
are using an electric pressure washer, and your outside water faucet.
Close all windows and seal any small holes in the windowsills. Remove any
shutters, this is a favorite place for spiders and wasps so you want to
power wash really well underneath. Make a note of the location of outdoor
lighting fixtures and mailboxes, as you won’t want to spray those. As
for personal gear goggles and wet weather outerwear are a good idea …you
can bet on getting wet! |
| Safety Guidelines for Pressure Washing your
House |
Pressure washing is time saving and convenient, and you can safely power
wash your house by following a few basic steps. Before using a high
pressure washer on your house take your time and become familiar with the
power washing equipment. Test its operation on a small spot to see how it
feels in your hand before you start the actual job. Never use a ladder
because the kick of the pressure could knock you down. If your house has
lead paint, check with the local health department to find out the best
way to handle it. Make sure to cover all outdoor electric outlets and wear
goggles to protect your eyes and face.
| How to Pressure Wash your Home
Return to
Top |
| Before you start your pressure washer make sure that you have
covered the steps related to house pressure washing preparation and
safety. Also ensure that you are using a strong enough power washer.
Honda Power Washers are a good option for a job of this size. Stand
at a safe distance of three to four feet from the surface you are
going to clean and hold the spray horizontally. Start spraying from
bottom to top, and rinse in the opposite direction, from top to
bottom. Keep the nozzle moving to avoid gouging the surface if it
stays long in once place. Work at an angle around windows and skip
electric fixtures entirely. Avoid letting the detergent sit for more
than ten minutes on the surface before rinsing. Remember to pressure
wash gutters and siding areas! |
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| Get the Best Results when Pressure Washing
Your Home |
You can power wash most surfaces in your residential exterior such as
wood, granite and brick, but it is better to avoid less resilient surfaces
like hardboard. Reputable manufacturers will include a list of recommended
pressure washer chemicals with the equipment, so you can check which
product is best for every surface of your home. Never use bleach, it could
damage your power washer. Avoid spraying flowerbeds and shrubs and also
skip light fixtures, windows and mailboxes. For best results, follow the
manufacturers instructions or consult a power washer equipment expert if
you have any doubts about the suitability of a power washer to the
materials in the exterior of your home.
| Preparing your House for Painting |
Using your electric power washer to prepare your surfaces for
paint is probably the easiest and fastest paint removal method
available to you! The way the high pressure washer does this is by
removing the residue from old oil or latex paint to help the new
coat adhere better. There are a few things to keep in mind. Follow
the tips on house preparation and safety. If your exterior paint
contains lead, do not use powerwashers until you have contacted your
local health department for instructions and recommendations on how
to handle this type of paint without endangering your health.
| Concrete Power Washer Safety
Guidelines
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to Top |
| A pressure washer should be handled with care, as any other
power tool in your shop. Always wear protective eyeware and
clothing. Never leave the pressure washer running unattended.
Remove any lose debris or small objects from the area before
pressure washing as they could become airborne under the
pressure from the jet. Never point the power washer at a
person or animal. |
| Flat Surfaces Suitable for Power
washing |
| If used according to the manufacturers instructions, power
washers are ideal tools to keep concrete surfaces looking like
new. Most concrete surfaces are suitable for pressure washing.
Avoid, however, any stenciled or imprinted areas as the
pressure of the spray can wash off the design. You will get
great results power washing pavers and stone but you should be
careful on laminar sandstone as the more powerful washers
could scrape off the thin layers. When in doubt about whether
your particular surface is able to withstand the water
pressure from your high pressure power washing equipment, it
is a good idea to test a small area beforehand. Chose a
section that is not very visible and see how that reacts to
the spray. |
| Concrete Cleaners for Large Flat
Areas |
| If you are washing a large flat concrete area, moving the
pressure washer wand over the entire surface would be too time
consuming. You may want to look into a flat wheel mounted
power washer. An entry level model is inexpensive and results
in enormous time savings. They are easy to use, since you walk
behind it like a powered lawn mower. For large flat surfaces
like parking lots, warehouses and tennis courts, among other
applications, these flat surface concrete cleaners do the job
faster and therefore can turn into savings in labor costs. |
| How to Clean Concrete with a
Pressure Washer
Return
to Top |
Cleaning concrete with a power washer is a straightforward
process. Water alone will do a good job of cleaning concrete,
but if you need to remove grease or oil most pressure washers
have an attachment to add pressure washing chemicals. Check
the manufacturers recommendation as to what is the best power
washer cleaning product for your particular application.
Acid-based cleaners work by chemical reaction on the surface.
Use them only if strictly necessary (such as to remove
graffiti) and use an acid neutralizer afterwards. Test the
pressure spray on a small area to get used to the action.
Adjust the spray to a small fan rather than a straight jet.
Hold the nozzle about six to ten inches from the surface. Work
in a steady manner, it should take about three to five minutes
to clean three to four square feet. Take your time. Clean one
section at a time before moving to the next. If you follow a
random pattern you may find uneven streaks after the concrete
dries. You´ll be surprised at how much better your surface
looks after your are done pressure washing!
| Best Time to Pressure Wash
your Gutters |
The time to power wash your gutters and how often you
need to do the job depends on where you live and what
type of trees and vegetation you have around your house.
As an example, if there are pine trees nearby you
probably already know how the needles tend to get stuck
inside the spout. A pressure washer will be your best
friend to dislodge them. Keep an eye on the weather when
you are planning to use pressure washing equipment.
Beyond the obvious discomfort of working with water
outdoors in the cold, if temperatures are near freezing
you could end up covering your entire house in ice!
Therefore, in most areas the best time of the year to
pressure wash your gutters is either spring, late summer
or early fall.
| Preparing your
Gutters for Power Washing |
If you can recruit someone to help you, pressure
washing your gutters goes much smoother as a
two-person job. Pour some water down the spout and
have your helper listen to check that it’s
running clear. If it is clogged, you can dismantle
the spout or use a plumbing snake. Better yet, use
a sewer-jetting attachment on your power washer to
take care of the blockage quickly. Remove the
bigger objects first (tennis balls, pine cones,
golf balls, plastic bags and items blown by the
wind, you´d be surprised at what ends up in your
gutters). If the gutter is full of water, unplug
the downspout and let it drain. The pressure
washing job will be less messy. Wear rubber gloves
and goggles for your protection.
| Choosing the
Right Pressure Washer for your Gutter
Return
to Top |
There are several options of power washing
equipment that will do a good job of
pressure washing gutters . If you are
looking for a high pressure washer to clean
your gutters at home, consider getting a
cart power washer. But since you are getting
a power washer for your gutters, why not get
one that can clean your entire house? For
commercial applications, a pressure washing
business needs to get the job done fast and
efficiently will be best advised to go for a
hot water pressure washer, it will be worth
the investment.
| Advantages
of Pressure Washing your Gutters |
| Gutters are critical in carrying
water away from a building. If they
are not functioning properly, or if
they are clogged, water will come in
contact with walls and roof surfaces,
creating humidity and possibly even
leaks. A clogged gutter will cause
leaves, dirt and debris to accumulate
and can become heavy. This added
weight could dislodge the gutter and
create a drain problem that can cause
damage to your home. Pressure washing
your gutters regularly will save you
time and money in water damage
repairs. |
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| Choosing your Power Washing
Chemicals
Return
to Top |
There are several options of cleaners that professionals use
to clean your roof, but many include bleach. The disadvantage
is that bleach will discolor your walls and siding wherever it
streaks down, and will also kill any plant or animal life
along the way. If you are looking to pressure wash the roof
yourself, consider using an environmentally safe product such
as Biocleanse. This is not only important to protect your
house and plants, but also for your personal safety because
the inevitable back spray from washing will end up on you as
well. A good quality power washing chemical will reduce total
cleaning time. Rinse with plenty of fresh water after you are
done.
| Safety Guidelines for
Pressure Washing your Roof
Return
to Top |
When operating your power washing equipment wear eye
protection, gloves and proper clothing at all times.
Test the pressure on a small section and get used to the
feel of the force of the jet in your hands. Do not use
bleach as it will damage your power washer and the back
spray would be landing on your own skin. Use an
environmentally safe cleaner instead.
| How to Pressure Wash
your Roof |
After following the steps for preparation of the
job, proceed in two phases. Water pressure under
2000 psi should be sufficient for a quick and
efficient job. Begin from a corner of the roof and
work your way down, from top to bottom. Keep the
spray at a 45-degree angle with the surface to
avoid gouging and move the nozzle in even strokes
at a distance of 8 to 10 inches from the roofing
material. First power wash the entire surface with
an environmentally safe soap to remove mold and
fungus. Don’t let the cleaning solution sit for
more than 10 to 15 minutes, particularly if the
roof is hot when you are power washing it. Next
wash everything again with water to remove the
grime and residue. Finally rinse with plenty of
fresh water. If you encounter stubborn stains,
attack them with more soap and more water, and if
necessary move the power washer over the stain
several times.
| How to Prepare
your Roof for Pressure Washing
Return
to Top |
The first element to consider is the type
of power washer that you will use. A regular
pressure washer will do a good job, in
particular if you add some useful pressure
washer attachments such as a 15-degree spray
nozzle and a good quality detergent. If you
are looking to speed up the job, however,
you will need a flat surface cleaner.
Although at an angle, a roof is in fact a
flat surface for power washing purposes.
Start by cutting away any overhanging or
protruding tree branches to allow the roof
to receive plenty of sun and aeration.
Remove debris and any obstructions from the
gutters and make sure that the water will
drain freely. Test the power washer on a
small section of the roof to make sure that
the pressure is adjusted correctly and the
spray will not cause any damage to the
roofing material. Depending on the
complexity of the job, hiring a professional
pressure washing business may be your best
bet.
| Recommended
Frequency to Power Wash your Roof |
| Power washing your roof will extend
its life, and prevent any health
hazards from the accumulation of
fungus or mildew. Additionally, a moss
and fungus covered roof will absorb
more heat and therefore increase your
utility bills. The recommended
frequency to clean your roof depends
on the location of your home. In the
northern states roofs can go longer
between cleanings but wherever they
are exposed to high temperatures and
humidity year round, they need to be
cleaned at least every three to four
years. Whichever the case, avoid using
your power washer if temperatures are
near freezing as you may risk damage
when the drained water freezes. |
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| Safety Guidelines for Pressure
Washing a Fence
Return
to Top |
| There are a few basic safety rules to follow around pressure
washing equipment. Remember that it is a power tool and as
such it should be safely away from the reach of children. Wear
eye protection and appropriate clothing and never point the
power washer nozzle at another person or yourself. |
| Preparing your Fence for
Pressure Washing
Return
to Top |
| The best friend to wash your fence will be your pressure
washer combined with a wide-angle tip of 25 to 40 degrees
creates a wider spray to protect the wood from damage. Do not
use a hot water pressure washer on your fence. Good quality
cold-water power washing equipment that reaches pressures
between 500 and 800 psi is all you need to do the job
properly. Test the power washer away from the fence first, to
get used to the feel in your hand. Practice sweeping an arc
with the spray, ending each stroke up and away from the
surface. With this motion you will avoid leaving marks on the
fence were the cleaning stroke starts. Test the pressure
washer on a small section of the fence to make sure that the
pressure is adjusted correctly and the spray will not cause
any damage to wood. |
| Choosing the Right Cleaner to
Pressure Wash your Fence |
| Choosing the right power washing chemicals will be critical
to obtaining good results when you clean your fence. Many
experts will recommend an acid based cleaner because they are
less dangerous for the average do-it-yourselfer to handle. The
disadvantage is that acid based cleaners are less effective.
There are, however, commercial-grade cleaners such as
Biocleanse that are biodegradable and consumer friendly. It
comes in two parts that you combine before applying. These
cleaners are gentle on the wood but results in a great looking
fence. Never let the cleaning solution sit on the wood for
more than 15 minutes or it will start to dry and leave a
residue. Always rinse with plenty of fresh water. |
| The Benefits of Pressure Washing
a Fence
Return
to Top |
The elements are waging war on your wood fence constantly.
The sun weakens the wood fibers and rain makes the wood swell
excessively. Temperature variations are contracting and
expanding the fence every day. You know there is trouble is
you see a graying surface, warping and cracking or loose nails
and screws. In time, the wood will eventually crack when the
inside of the wood becomes porous and brittle. Cleaning your
fence regularly eliminates grime, mildew and mold and opens
the pores of the wood so that your sealer will bond properly.
Power washing your fence will extend its life and save you
money in the long term.
| How to Pressure Wash your
Fence |
| After following the steps for preparation of the job.
Water pressure between 500 to 800 psi should be
sufficient to power wash your fence . Hold the tip of
the sprayer about 3-4 feet away from the fence. At this
distance, you should be creating a fan shaped spray that
is about two or three feet wide. This should be enough
force to quickly clean your fence. If the fence is very
dirty the grime is not coming off, gradually bring the
spray a little closer, watching that it does not cause
damage to the wood. Work the pressure washer in arcs
over the surface of the fence. Don’t let the cleaning
solution sit for more than 10 to 15 minutes or it will
dry and leave residue. Rinse with plenty of fresh water. |
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| How to Pressure Wash your Deck |
| After following the steps for preparation of the job
adjust the water pressure of your electric pressure washer
or gas pressure washer between 1500 to 1800 psi. This should
be sufficient to power wash a deck. You should work in
pendular strokes, as if you were doing low swing with a golf
club. Keep the jet in motion at all times to avoid marking
the surface where you start and stop. If a stain does not
come off on the first try, keep passing over it until it
dissolves. Don’t let the cleaning solution sit for more
than 10 to 15 minutes or it will dry and leave residue.
Rinse with plenty of fresh water from your cold water
powerwasher. Let your deck dry for 24 hours before applying
the sealant. |
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| Choosing the Right Cleaner to Pressure
Wash your Deck |
| Choosing the right power washing chemicals will be critical to
obtaining good results when you clean your deck. Always use a
cleaning solution for your deck, even when it doesn’t look too
dirty. You will not only do a smoother job but it will be easier and
quicker. Do not use bleach as it will not only discolor your deck
but it may damage the pressure washing equipment. There are some
pressure washer chemicals such as Biocleanse that are biodegradable
and consumer friendly. These cleaners are gentle on the wood and
will not damage the lawn or flower beds around your deck. Never let
the cleaning solution sit on the wood for more than 15 minutes or it
will start to dry and leave a residue. Always rinse with plenty of
fresh water. |
| Preparing your Deck for Pressure
Washing
Return to
Top |
| The pressure needed to power wash your deck will be around 1500
PSI and the best tip for the job is a wide-angle tip of 25 to 40
degrees to create a wider spray to protect the wood from damage. Do
not use a hot water pressure washer on your deck. Remove any lose
articles that may become projectiles when pushed by the pressure
washer jet. Practice making a pendular motion with the spray up,
down, and up again away from the surface. With this motion you will
avoid leaving marks on the deck were the cleaning stroke starts.
Test the pressure washer on some old boards or a hidden side of the
deck to make sure that the pressure is adjusted correctly and the
spray will not cause any damage to wood. Wear protective eyewear and
gloves. |
| Safety Guidelines for Pressure Washing
a Deck |
| Always follow the manufacturers recommendations when operating a
high pressure washer. Make sure that you remove or secure any object
that can become a projectile when pushed by the pressure jet such as
planters, toys and ornaments. Do not pressure wash electric outlets
or fixtures. Make sure all windows and doors leading to the deck are
firmly shut. Wear eye protection and appropriate clothing. |
Pressure
Washing Tips and Instructions
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Power washing, as a cleaning method, has been increasingly
popular in the past several decades and will become even more
popular in years to come. A lot of times people put too much
effort into cleaning their cars, boats, patios, grills and the
exteriors of their houses. By practicing these pressure washing
tips you will overcome the burden and you will finish any of these
jobs much faster than any of your neighbors. If you just follow
these simple pressurewashing basics, your home exterior cleaning
will be short and painless process by using the right tools. Here
are some valuable power washing tips:
1. Choosing nozzles and/or tips . For using
pressure washer efficiently you need to choose the correct nozzle
and/or tip. The majority of our machines come with interchangeable
spray tips that serve two purposes. One is to lower the pressure
and draw the detergent; and the other is for high pressure rinse
at the different spray angles. Our pressure washers come with
several color-coded tips/nozzles (red, yellow, green, and white)
that vary from 0 degrees to 40 degrees. As a general rule the
smallest angle delivers the most powerful "punch." For
example, it you want to remove a stubborn smudge from you driveway
you will use a 0 degree angle. However, if you want to move debris
(such as leafs, sand, etc.) away from your house you will use a
wider angle such as 25 or 45 degree nozzle. Caution: be sure the
nozzle/tip is completely attached before using the trigger gun.
Failure to do so may result in the tip becoming the projectile and
may be lost or it may damage the property and/or harm persons.
2. Using chemicals. Use only chemicals and
pressure washer cleaning solutions that are approved for pressure
washer use. We offer a Super Film Remover and Citrus Degreaser.
Super Film Remover is mainly used for car washing and light dirt
or road film. Citrus Degreaser is used for removing heavy greaser
and industrial cleaning. All of our pressure washers come with the
detergent injector, which allows for continuous, uninterrupted
flow of the cleaning solution into the water stream. If you buy
unapproved detergents they may not be environmentally friendly and
they may be dangerous for pressure washer components. One solution
might work well for the concrete, but it could harm the wood.
3. Testing the power. Test your pressure
washer for its power. The best is to start spraying few feet away
from any object. Slowly bring your wand to 3-4 feet distance from
the surface you want to clean. Move your wand side-to-side a
couple of times and check if the surface is clean. If additional
cleaning is needed, move your wand gradually closer to the surface
(approx. 1-2 feet). The reason for the gradual cleaning is because
pressure washers are extremely powerful and if you start too close
you could damage the object instead of cleaning it.
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Tips
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4. Planning what to clean. Be careful when spraying
around windows, postage box, flowers, vents, eaves, or light fixtures.
They can brake or became damaged if aimed directly at them. In addition,
keep the trigger gun pointed downwards so that you don't spray under the
siding. This will prevent the siding from collapsing. Also, be cautious
when cleaning the edges around the windows. Small, unnoticeable holes can
leak water inside your home. In order to prevent this check for any holes,
dents and scratches on the frame of the
window.
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5. Pressure washing. Pressurewashing is similar to
painting. If you get into "happy mode" you may start spraying
everything and everywhere. These random powerwash sprayings are not
thorough and detailed, they will make you miss spots and you will waste
your time by cleaning places twice. To overcome this, spray horizontally
with smooth left to right movements. In one strike cover 3-4 feet wide
area. To prevent streaking, start from the bottom and work your way up to
the top.
6. Pausing before rinsing. Since you used the cleaning
solution, you have to give time for it to do its job. You should allow 5
to 10 minutes for the detergent to start dissolving the dirt, but do not
let it sit too long so that it dries out. When ready to rinse start at the
top and work towards the bottom until entire area is detergent free.
Our residential and certain commercial power washer units are designed
for power washing equipment, vehicles, boats, driveways, snowmobiles, jet
skis, trailers, pools, patios and more. Higher end of commercial and
industrial power washers are build for heavy duty pressurewashing
applications including buildings, bricks, garages doors & floors,
storefronts, parking lots, dumpsters, bus fleets, machinery, farm
equipment and engines. In performing any of these jobs, you must be very
well aware of the right steps that go along in completing them in a safe
and secure manner. The right steps are the safe and sound procedures that
are harmless for both humans and environment. The following content will
provide you with the safety tips that you must be aware of when applying
professional pressure washing
techniques.
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Foremost, besides having pressure washing equipment, you should
wear safety-toe, non-slip sole rubber boots. If you are applying solvents
use appropriate hand protection. Make sure you remove immediately any
clothing saturated in solvents and wash skin with soap and water
thoroughly. Watch out for burns from hot water and back blast from water
or dirt particles. Do not direct high velocity stream of water on
yourself or others. Do not use solvents to remove oil and grease from
hands, but rather soap and water or a waterless cleanser.
Protect yourself from sharp edges and protruding parts. Wear gloves and
cover sharp objects with tape, rags or wooden guards. Steer clear of
electrical devices like lights and outlets. You can easily cause a short
circuit or break them. Never use an electric powered washer in the rain as
an electrical short circuit could happen. If you are using a gas power
washer inside the building or house, make sure it is vented properly since
the exhaust gases can be harmful to humans when exposed to such gases for
longer periods.
On electric models power washer should never be plugged into a power
source unless the trigger is in the “OFF” position.
- Avoid prolonged or repeated skin contact with fuel. Wash skin
thoroughly with soap and water in case of contact
- Avoid breathing vapors or mists.
- Remove any clothing that is wet with fuel. Allow fuel to evaporate
completely outdoors before washing. Thoroughly clean clothing before
reuse.
- Identify and know how to operate emergency fuel cut offs.
- Know location and operation of fire extinguishers.
- Shut off engine while fueling.
- Fill gas tank slowly to prevent fuel from spilling and making
contact with the hot engine.
- Reinstall the cap on the reservoir after filling it up. Hang the
hose in place on the
pump
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DO wear proper eye, face and hand protection when operating
the equipment and power washing.
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DO attach nozzles and/or accessories completely before
starting the machine.
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DO keep hands and feet clear of the cleaning nozzle at all
times.
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DO consider using a special cleaning agent if the surface
shows heavy dirt and grime.
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DO follow the equipment manufacturer's directions with
respect to distance between the spray head and the surface
-- typically 6" to 10" while power washing,
although this varies with the PSI and spray width settings.
(Moving too close may harm the surface; staying too far away
may be ineffective.)
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DO work from the top of the wall to the bottom, rather than
vice versa. Otherwise, dirt and mildew will run down over
the already-cleaned section.
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DO direct the water at a downward arc when cleaning wood
substrates. Spraying wood head-on can damage the siding.
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Power washing Do's and Don'ts
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DON'T fill the fuel tank while the engine is running.
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DON'T leave the nozzle in a closed position for more than a
minute or two while the equipment is running. The pump may
overheat.
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DON'T try to repair a leak in the hose or connection while the
system is under pressure.
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DON'T aim the power washer at an upward angle when cleaning
lap siding. This can drive water behind the siding. Also, the
force of the water can lift the siding from the wall.
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DON'T spray stucco, brick or masonry walls straight on. The
force of the spray can cause water to penetrate cracks in the
walls and cause damage within.
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DON'T aim the spray at windows or glass doors. The force is
strong enough to shatter them.
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DON’T let the machine run for several minutes without
pulling the trigger gun.
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DON’T point the wand to an animal or a person during the
power washing process
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Last modified: November 23, 2011
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