Outdoor patio floors endure extreme conditions, including foot traffic, harsh weather conditions, dust debris, algae, mould, and more. Your patio needs to be cleaned accordingly every once in a while, or else the damage might become permanent.
But outdoor space maintenance isn’t easy. Scrubbing the dirt and stains off can take hours. What if we told you patio surface cleaning can be done effortlessly?
This is where pressure cleaning comes in. With the help of advanced technology, high-pressure washing makes patio maintenance a child’s play!
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What is Pressure Cleaning?
Before you buy a pressure cleaner or hire professional pressure cleaning services, it’s important to know its definition and how it works. Pressure cleaning is just a garden hose with extreme power. The only difference is that a big machine pumps the power.
In simple terms, it’s a cleaning method where a pump blows out high-pressure water or chemicals through nozzles. The best part is that the water pressure is variable. You can control it and make it high or low.
As for how pressure cleaning works, it’s easy to understand. The main compartment houses the pump. There’s a big container which contains either water or a cleaning solution. The pump sucks the water from the container and sends water to the heater. Afterwards, the water is pumped out of the sprayer.
Although it sounds very simple, don’t take it lightly. Many industrial-grade pressure cleaners can pump up to 4000 PSI (pounds per square inch). Water pressure is measured using PSI, so the higher the PSI, the stronger the stream.
If you are not sure how dangerous 4000 PSI is, it can easily cut through human flesh. Some pressure cleaners can also damage patio concrete. Safety considerations should be kept in mind.
Apart from huge machines, pressure cleaners now come in small packages as well. You can get battery-powered, cordless cleaners that can output as high as 4400 PSI, which is insane for such a small machine.
How to Use Pressure Cleaning for Patio Cleaning
Here are three steps you need to follow before using a pressure cleaner.
Step 1 – Preparation
For successful patio stain removal, you need to first prepare the surface so that nothing goes out of control. To achieve the best results, you may do the following things –
- Pressure cleanings output high water pressure, so keep pets, children, and delicate things out of the cleaning area.
- You should wear really thick boots and gloves and be mentally prepared to handle the pressure.
- Remove all the loose dirt, grime and rocks (if any) prior to cleaning.
- Don’t point the hose/nozzle in any unwanted direction. Focus on the task.
Step 2 – Setting Correct PSI
PSI adjustment is crucial because lower PSIs will not be efficient for cleaning, and higher PSIs will damage the surface. For patio concrete cleaning, it’s best to keep the PSI at around 3000.
If concrete requires 3000 PSI, it’s natural to assume that furniture will require lower PSI. For patio furniture, you should set the PSI to 1000 to 1500 because high PSI can damage the wood’s texture. 1500 is also perfect for algae and mould removal.
Step 3 – Cleaning
Now for the step you’ve all been waiting for. It’s time to blast away the dirt and grime. Depending on the space, you can either go with a wide sprayer or a narrow sprayer. If you have a small patio space, go for the narrow sprayer since the nozzle concentrates all the power to a small area.
A wider sprayer can help you cover large spaces quickly, but it is less thorough than a narrow sprayer. You can also use hot water pressure washing for efficient stain and debris removal.
Just in case you want to disinfect the patio using chemicals, make sure you’re using OHS approved ones.
The Advantages of Pressure Cleaning
If you’re unfamiliar with pressure cleaning, here’s a list of advantages that will make you love it –
- Coverage
While manual cleaning of large areas can take countless hours, pressure cleaning does a quick job. High water pressure makes cleaning effortless.
- Non-Toxic
Pressure cleaning uses brute force to eliminate stains and dirt. This is why there’s no need to use toxic chemicals that can harm the environment and produce a bad smell.
- Efficiency
Using a narrow sprayer will let you reach tight spots where brushes or sponges can reach. This means you can perform deep cleaning with pressure cleaners.
Hiring Professionals for Pressure Cleaning Vs Doing it Yourself
There are a few DIY pressure cleaning risks. For starters, it’s very risky to handle such high PSI without professional safety gear. 3000 or above PSI is known to cut human flesh, so be cautious while dealing with it.
Using pressure cleaning on the wrong surface can also cause issues. Don’t use pressure cleaning for cleaning roofs, especially asbestos roofs, as it can cause asbestos contamination.
On the other hand, there are many professional cleaning benefits. For starters, they have the right pressure cleaning equipment, which means you don’t have to worry about any accidents.
They also use eco-friendly cleaning solutions instead of harmful chemicals. This means they will clean and disinfect your patio at the same time.
Eco-friendly detergents also prevent algae and mould growth for an extended period. Last but not least, green cleaners produce a better smell than chemicals, which will make your outdoor activities more pleasant.
Of course, hiring professionals for pressure cleaning comes at a cost. But it’s well worth it. The frequency of cleaning depends on your patio. Some outdoor spaces receive more traffic than others, so there’s no objective rule. If you’re not sure, just go for annual patio cleaning.
Final Words
Pressure cleaning can be your greatest ally or your worst nightmare. It all depends on how much you’re familiar with the cleaner. If you’re confident, go for it. Your patio will look flawless with a deep pressure wash.
However, if you’re not sure about it. Let local expertise help you. Eco Cleaning Brisbane has been serving all over Brisbane for more than 20 years now.
We will get rid of mould, mildew, algae, stains, and rust so that they won’t bother you any time soon. With our sustainable practices, we’ll ensure your patio smells lovely and nothing is harmed.
