If you’re getting ready to repaint the exterior of your home, you may be wondering if you should pressure wash first. This is a valid question, as it’s important to make sure that the surface is clean before applying paint. In this blog post, we will discuss the pros and cons of pressure washing before painting and help you decide what’s best for your home.
Should You Pressure Wash Before Painting?
When it comes to painting the exterior of your home, one of the most important steps is preparing the surface. This means taking care of any peeling paint, patching up any cracks or holes, and giving the whole surface a good cleaning. Many homeowners wonder if they should pressure wash before painting. Unless you pressure wash your home’s exterior on a regular basis, the answer is most likely yes.
Most homes collect dirt, dust, and debris over time, and these need to be removed before you begin the process of painting. If you’re dealing with a particularly dirty surface, then pressure washing can be a helpful step. If you just pressure washed your home’s exterior a few weeks ago, then simply using a garden hose on high pressure will likely suffice.
However, there are still some advantages to using a pressure washer, which we’ll touch on shortly. Once you’ve cleaned the surface, be sure to let it completely dry before beginning to paint. Otherwise, your paint job may not turn out as expected.
How Soon Can You Paint After Pressure Washing?
Pressure washing is a great way to clean the exterior of your home and remove any built-up dirt, grime, or mildew. However, it’s important to make sure that the surface is completely dry before painting. Otherwise, the paint may not adhere properly and could start to peel or chip soon after application.
For best results, wait at least 24 hours after pressure washing before painting. Even in hot, sunny weather, you should still wait this long. In some cases, it may take up to three days for the entire surface to dry. If you’re unsure whether it’s safe to paint, simply wait until the surface is no longer wet to the touch before beginning your project. Alternatively, ask your local painters for their professional opinion.
Advantages of Using a Pressure Washer Instead of a Garden Hose
You could wash the surface with a garden hose, but a pressure washer will do a much better job. Here’s why: Pressure washers have much higher water pressure than garden hoses. The average garden hose has a water pressure of 40-60 psi, while pressure washers can have water pressures of up to 3,000 psi.
That high-pressure stream of water is ideal for blasting away stubborn dirt and grime. And because pressure washers use less water than garden hoses, they’re actually more environmentally friendly. So if you’re planning to hire local painters for your home’s exterior, be sure to use a pressure washer to get the surface nice and clean first. It’ll save you time and ensure that your paint job turns out great.
Conclusion
Whether or not you pressure wash before painting really depends on the condition of your home’s exterior. If it’s been a while since you last cleaned the surface, then pressure washing is a good idea. And if you just pressure washed your home, be sure to wait at least 24 hours before painting. This will give the surface plenty of time to dry before you apply your primer.
