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Over time, the outside of your home can become weathered from outdoor elements, which can result in buildup of dirt, stains, and mud. When this occurs, power washing services can help remove the buildup and leave your siding, pavement, or deck looking brand new. Professional power washing services will have top-notch equipment to ensure they’re cleaning your home efficiently and safely. They’ll also know what cleaning materials to use, if needed, and what kind of pressure to apply to specific areas. If you’re an intermediate DIYer with a power washer at your disposal, this is a task you can probably take on solo. However, some jobs will take more time than you expect, in which case hiring an expert may be worth the cost. It’s also advised to keep safety in mind, since incorrect use of a power washer could result in injury or long-term health problems. Although power washing may seem simple, it often requires pricey equipment and a special level of care only used by professionals. Since the job can also be time- consuming, power washing services are often helpful for homeowners who don’t have the hours or days to dedicate to the task.
When to DIY
In some cases, it may make sense to power wash your home yourself. If your budget does not allow for hiring a professional, you already own the necessary equipment, you have free time, and you are an experienced power washer, then this project might be best done without the help of a professional. Taking the job on yourself can not only save money, but can also add to your repertoire as a DIYer. However, if the area you hope to power wash is extensive, it may require more help than you expect. In this instance, an expert may be the best person for the job.
You’re on a budget.
If you don’t have the funds to hire a professional, it’s definitely possible to take on power washing services yourself. Instead of purchasing or renting what can sometimes be pricey equipment, ask to borrow a power washer and any necessary attachments from a friend, family member, or neighbor.
You may also need rubber boots to protect your feet from the powerful stream of water coming from the hose, as well as soap or other cleaning products, depending on what you want to wash.
DIY power washing allows for full control over thoroughness and cleaning materials used.
The power is literally in your hands when you do the power washing yourself. As a DIYer, you will be able to keep tabs on the progress of your project and what more needs to be done to ensure you get the end result you desire.
You will also be able to select the cleaning materials yourself; that way you know what chemicals are being used on the surface you’re treating. By completing the job without the help of a professional, you will also be able to determine how much time is spent on the project.
You’ve completed a power washing project before and have the right equipment.
Prior experience power washing can give you a leg up when it comes to completing more jobs in the future. You’ll likely know what to hire out for by knowing how long a specific job will take and what tools or equipment it requires.
If you already own the right power washing equipment and don’t have to spend extra money on new parts or pieces, then this task is one you can probably handle on your own. This way, you’ll likely save money and have the satisfaction of completing a project to your expectations.
When to Hire a Professional
With any home project, there are risks involved when it comes to taking on projects yourself. However, if you lack the time, skill set, experience, and tools to do the job, hiring out the job may be the right decision for you. By enlisting outside help, you can reduce the risk for potential injuries or long-term health problems caused by lead paint.
A professional will be able to correctly treat the desired area and will also be able to do so in less time and with a higher level of skill than an amateur. Additionally, hiring a pro will not only reduce the risk of damage to your property, but using a professional’s service will also help your home look as good as new when the job is done.
You’re concerned about damage to your home or property.
There’s a chance the power washing project you want to have done requires special treatment, which will often benefit from the expertise of a professional. The pressure from a power washer can damage homes or properties if the equipment isn’t used correctly.
By hiring a professional, you can avoid causing this kind of damage or rest easy knowing insurance policies or warranties are in place to repair any damages should they take place. Any concerns you have should be put to rest with the help of an expert with years of experience to lean on for your specific job.
You have safety concerns.
Although power washing services mainly include the use of water, the powerful stream coming from the hose can be dangerous. Losing control of the equipment could lead to unexpected injury. This could cause expensive medical bills or long-term health issues that could have been avoided.
Hiring a professional eliminates the possibility of injury to yourself and also protects your home from damage, should it occur. Professional power washing services will likely have policies in place that take the liability off of you alone and put it on the company instead.
You’ll be power washing lead paint.
There’s a possibility that, if you’re power washing the side of your home, you could be washing lead paint. If this occurs, the highly toxic dust from lead paint is extremely dangerous to adults and children alike. The toxic dust from lead paint has the potential to cause lifelong health problems, a cost that won’t be recuperated and isn’t worth the risk.
If your home has lead paint, you can hire a pro to remove the lead paint first to ensure no one’s health is at stake. This can be costly, often ranging from $1,200 to $5,300, but it’s well worth it in the end.
You don’t have the time.
One thing is for sure when it comes to power washing services—the job is tedious. It takes time to run the equipment over sections of the space at a time, whether the area being cleaned is a driveway, siding, deck, or some other area.
If you don’t have at least a weekend to dedicate to power washing, it’s best to call in a professional. They will not only have more knowledge and experience, but they’ll also likely have time-saving tools or a crew of people to come in and get the job done. Hiring an expert will allow you to spend more time with family or friends and less time busting your back trying to complete a project solo.
You don’t want to buy or rent power washing equipment.
Power washing equipment is not always budget-friendly, and if you don’t want to purchase the equipment yourself, it’s logical to hire someone who already owns the right tools and knows how to properly use them. Renting the equipment can also be cumbersome if you have to return it in less time than it takes to complete the job, in which case you may end up spending more money than you had planned.
Hiring a pro eliminates the fuss that can come with researching, renting, or purchasing power washing equipment and leaves you with one less task to take care of on your own.
You don’t have the expertise or knowledge.
For homeowners who have no power washing experience, this may not be a task that makes sense to start solo. For one, it can be tedious and time-consuming, leaving you extra frustrated if your expectations don’t line up with reality.
Knowing how much pressure to apply to specific areas or what type of cleaning products to use can make the job easier. But if you don’t do your research beforehand or don’t have the skill set to fall back on, it’s best to rely on the professionals who have knowledge and expertise at their fingertips.
Verdict: DIY or Hire a Professional?
Although it may be tempting to power wash your home yourself, one wrong move could result in damage to your property, or worse, injury. Certain areas, such as siding or decks, will need to be treated with care, and a professional power washer will know what equipment and techniques to use on specific areas.
It’s also important to consider the amount of time it may take you to complete the job. Power washing requires a keen eye and hours of tedious work. If you don’t have a full weekend or more to dedicate to the task, it may be time to call a professional. They will not only work more efficiently, but they will also have the right equipment available. Even if you already own a power washer, you may need to buy specific attachments or other materials that could add up quickly.
Hiring a professional power washing service will pay off in the long run, as it ensures a quality job will be done in less time, and your home will be in tip-top shape in case you want to put it on the market or increase its value over time.
Verdict: Hire a professional
Why Skip This DIY Project
In the grand scheme of things, the risks that come with power washing are not worth the rewards of doing it on your own. The potential for injury, or exposure of lead paint, could result in lifelong problems that could have been avoided. Plus, an expert will be able to complete the job in less time than it would take even an intermediate DIYer. In the end, hiring a professional for power washing services can alleviate the stress of a lengthy project and leave you more satisfied once the job is done.
Benefits of Hiring a Professional
By hiring a professional, you can save yourself time, energy, and risk of injury. An expert power washer will be able to treat your property correctly the first time and will know exactly how much pressure to apply to specific areas. Not only does a professional have years of experience to rely on, but they also have honed a particular skill set that they can apply to each project. Professionals have top-of-the-line equipment and cleaning materials, so you don’t have to invest in tools that you may not end up using much. They also have tools that allow them to clean hard-to-reach areas without risk of falling or injury. In the end, there’s less chance of damage to your property or your health if you hire a professional power washing service.
For professional power washing services, call a HomeAdvisor power washer in your area.
