The arrival of spring also brings with it a lot of dust and pollen. As a result, many people are getting their cleaning supplies and equipment out to start the time-honored custom of spring cleaning. Window washing must be at the top of your spring cleaning list, say experts in home improvement. You might be unsure of the most effective technique if your windows need good washing. Although some fervently support pressure washing for window cleaning, it can actually seriously harm your windows.
Can You Pressure Wash Windows?
The short answer is yes; pressure washers are frequently used to clean windows. Numerous blog posts and YouTube tutorials that provide advice and detailed instructions on pressure washing windows can be found online with a quick internet search. However, a similar search will turn up just as many articles explaining why cleaning your windows with a pressure washer is a bad idea. Even the “how-to” posts mention that not all windows are suitable for pressure washing.
Is Pressure Wash Safe for Windows?
That response is a little more nuanced. Before deciding to use a pressure washer on your windows, there are several things to consider.
What State Are Your Windows In?
You must first take into account the state of your windows. While window frames made of aluminum or vinyl typically don’t cause issues, wooden ones frequently need special care. For instance, pressure washing can harm exposed wood if a window’s paint is chipped or peeling because of the force of the water. Additionally, it’s crucial to make sure the glazing between the frame and the glass is intact to avoid having shattered glass all over the place. Or, if your windows are double-paned, the high pressure may cause the seals to fail, letting moisture inside and causing the glass to fog up. In order to disallow water from leaking into your home, you must also ensure that the weather stripping on the window and caulking around the window frame is in good condition.
Do You Have Any Previous Pressure Washer Experience?
Your prior experience cleaning windows with a pressure washer is the second factor. Pressure washing for windows is different from pressure washing your patio or deck. To begin with, applying pressure to windows above 2,000 PSI can easily lead to glass shattering. Additionally, you must use a spray pattern that prevents perpendicular pressure on windows and set the spray to its widest angle on a 40- or 65-degree nozzle. You can’t have a perpendicular angle, but you also shouldn’t have one steeper than 30 degrees because you don’t want the spray to get underneath the window putty and possibly dislodge it.
Additionally, it’s crucial to use the right amount of water in the cleaning solution. Using too little water results in dirty windows, and using too much cleaner leaves a filmy residue on your windows. Moreover, even after the windows have dried, you might still have water stains on them because pressure washers don’t use deionized water.
Could You Accidentally Bring About Additional Damage?
It would be best if you also thought about how well your house will withstand pressure washing and window cleaning in general. The high-pressure streams can shoot into cracks or under the siding as you wash your windows. Major issues like mold, mildew, or rotting wood can result if that water seeps into insulation or beneath the flooring. While pressure washing is a great way to clean driveways, patios, and decks, it’s not really the best method for cleaning windows. Even many pressure-washing siding specialists don’t offer to pressure wash windows. It is because they are aware of the high risk of damage.
Few people enjoy cleaning their windows, so they try to find ways to speed up the process. Can you pressure wash your windows while you’re at it? Pressure washing is a straightforward way to clean the exterior of your home using pressurized water and cleaning agents. No, is the clear-cut response. So why are windows not suitable for power washing?
The PSI required by pressure washing equipment to shoot water out could break window glass. Additionally, it has the potential to—and frequently does—break the seals around your windows. This allows water to enter your home and leaving behind hard water stains. The best window cleaners in Arizona understand the value of using ladders, squeegees, premium cleaning products, skill, and precision to clean windows well. They also realize that pressure washing windows is never a good idea.
Advantage of Professional Cleaners
Cleaning solution – The cleaning solution you need to remove hard water stains and buildup from glass is very different from the cleaning solution you need to remove mildew, algae, and dirt from your house siding. Calling the best local cleaning service with a professional cleaning team like Affiliated Building Maintenance is the best way to get your windows truly clean.
Quality – When you hire a highly regarded Arizona window cleaning crew, you can be sure that every aspect of the business is set up to deliver top-notch cleaning, right down to the unique cleaning agents used, the equipment employed, and even the technician’s education and customer service abilities. Even someone who claims to be able to pressure wash your windows, your house is too valuable to entrust to just anyone!
Should I Rather Hire a Professional?
Your best bet is to get in contact with a reputable expert like Affiliated Building Maintenance if you want your windows to be spotless without running the risk of damaging them or your house. Our helpful cleaners have received extensive window washing training to offer the best possible service. Get in touch with Affiliated Building Maintenance right away to schedule your free on-site estimate.
