How to Pressure Wash With a Wand
A do-it-yourselfer with a pressure washer can do a professional quality cleaning job on almost anything -- at a fraction of the cost of hiring a pro. Pressure washers take in water on one side, mix it with cleaning liquid, pressurize the mixture and shoot it through a wand at high speed. The wand allows you to control the flow, while extending your reach by several feet. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Select the nozzle tip most appropriate for your job; nozzle openings are measured in degrees; ranging from zero to forty. Small openings offer the most power and are best for cleaning hard surfaces, such as concrete or brick. Larger openings are best for moving loose material, such as leaves or straw. Twist the nozzle onto the end of the wand.
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Twist the other end of the nozzle onto the pressure washing hose: Tighten the connection by hand.
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Fill your pressure washer's reservoir with a mixture of water and cleaning liquid (if desired). Tighten the reservoir cap.
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Connect one end of a water hose to the power washer -- according to the owner's manual -- and the other end to a spigot. Turn on the spigot and start the pressure washer.
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Grasp the wand with one hand on the handle, and the other along the shaft of the wand. Point the wand -- with the nozzle two to three feet from the surface -- toward the surface you want to clean. Move closer for additional cleaning power.
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Squeeze the trigger to begin spraying. Move the wand horizontally with smooth left-to-right movements to clean the surface.
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Tips & Warnings
Begin at the top and work downward to avoid streaking.
Clean in 3- to 4-foot sections.
Avoid spraying straight on; always spray at an angle to the surface: Spraying straight on can remove paint and damage wood.
Never point the wand at a person.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit David De Lossy/Photodisc/Getty Images
