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Bsic Guide To Exterior Building Cleaning
First make sure the pressure washer you use provides hot water and puts out a minimum of 4 gallons of water per minute and less than 1000 PSI. Using and acid based cleaner or a good butyl-based cleaner will allow you to clean most building exteriors with a a downstream injector, M5, or an X jet. Make sure you can identify the surface your cleaning because most buildings are built with a couple of different types of material. Limestone for example is a VERY porous soft stone that can easily be damaged with high pressure.
Before applying any soap to the surface, thoroughly wet down all vegetation in the area, cover the plants and completely wet down the areas your cleaning to prevent the soap from penetrating into the surface, and to prevent the soap from flash drying on the surface. Start by applying the soap from the bottom up while making sure the soap is not being forced into the building through caulk joints, windows or cracks in the surface. Once the soap has been applied, allow it to dwell on the surface for 5-10 minutes but don't let it dry. After the soap has broken the soil free, rinse the surface from the top down to make sure all of the soil and soap has been removed. Then wet down the plants again and move to the next soiled area and repeat. Following these basic steps will result in faster, more effective cleaning and will minimize the potential for damage to the surfaces being cleaned.
Author: Henry Bockman President, Commercial Restorations
Exterior Building Cleaning and Pressure Washing In Maryland
301-216-2555
