Keeping a commercial facility neat, inviting and aptly valued is often a top priority but, amid hectic schedules and diminishing budgets, it can be difficult to perform proper upkeep through cleaning, maintenance and restoration.
Compounding the problem is that some structural features are more challenging to clean than others — particularly, building façades and other exterior areas where the elements, insects, animals and even mold can wreak havoc.
Over time, even cobwebs, dirt, leaves and pollen make a property look old, worn, dingy and less valuable than it’s actually worth.
With this in mind, the experts at Ultimate Washer Inc. offer the following nine-point list of ways a portable pressure washer can help solve common cleaning problems both indoors and out — worthwhile efforts that can also positively impact curb appeal and property value.
1. Unclog drains
Many people do not realize that, instead of calling a plumber and paying handsomely to have a drain line cleared, a pressure washer can accomplish the same task.
A special “sewer jetter” nozzle attachment will safely and efficiently unclog and clean a drain.
2. Revitalize tile and grout
A power washer with a rotary brush attachment can be very effective at safely cleaning tile and grout without damage.
To clean areas where grease and oil stains are common, such as a food service area or where vehicles are commonly parked, hot water and a mild degreasing detergent can be used.
3. Clean windows
Nothing diminishes the look and feel of a property more than drab, dirty windows.
Window squeegee attachments make the task effortless, and you can use them with soap and water or glass cleaner.
With a pressure washer and the appropriate attachments, you can have sparkling clean windows in half the time it would take with a cloth.
4. Clear air ducts
Hiring a professional to clean your air ducts or purchasing an air duct cleaning system can be expensive.
And, since a pressure washer outfitted with a special attachment can get the job done, hiring a professional or contracting out the service is unnecessary.
The cost savings of using a pressure washer to clean your air ducts will allow you to breathe easy.
5. Wash wood decks and fences
There is a mistaken perception that pressure washers can’t be used on wood, but nothing could be further from the truth.
With the correct nozzle and the proper water pressure level, you can safely and effectively clean wood without damaging it — keeping soils, mold, mildew and the damage they present at bay.
6. Clear gutters
Keeping gutters unclogged and functional is imperative to prevent water overflow that can cause them to detach and, worse, promote rot and rust to the surrounding structure.
A standard garden hose just won’t get the job done, but a pressure washer with a special gutter nozzle will aptly clear the dirt, leaves, and debris in short order.
Plus, since pressurized water has a far, accurate reach, ladders need not apply.
7. Wash walkways
To de-stain and generally clean flat surfaces like parking lots, sidewalks and garage floors, a water broom nozzle allows you to evenly wash the surface.
And, since you can stand upright during the process, a power washer can be used without causing backaches or other associated fatigue.
8. Remove water and muck
Particularly useful in regions where precipitation creates a buildup of water and muck, power washers can be invaluable.
Aside from outdoor buildup, when pooled water needs to be drained indoors from an overfilled planter, a flood event or a plumbing repair, a special “muck scupper” attachment provides for high-volume water removal.
This rapid response is key to thwart what can be costly moisture-related damage.
9. Dry quickly
After you’ve pressure cleaned or removed moisture and muck from an area, or to better prepare a surface for an event so that it’s pristine and also safe from slip-and-fall incidents, an air blower attachment will help you quickly dry out the space.
A pressure washer is an extremely versatile and easy-to-use portable tool that can make cleaning and maintenance a breeze both indoors and out.
With even an extremely inexpensive model and the proper nozzle attachments, keeping a property in tip-top shape is not a problem, and most certainly worth the effort.
