Selecting the Best Pressure Washing and Power Washing

Car washing and auto detailing professionals seeking commercial grade pressure washing and power washing equipment must evaluate the various technologies on the market while critically examining features and components. Only then can they begin to select the best pressure washing machines for their particular applications. Many in the car washing and auto detailing industry often make a mistake by selecting low-priced, under-featured power washing equipment that will absolutely not last. Pressure washing equipment pricing is a consideration, but not at the risk of negatively impacting quality and performance.

Unfortunately, many feel pressure washing and power washing machines are similar, but that could not be further from the truth. Retail stores like Lowes and Home Depot offer a variety of pressure washing equipment, but the reality is the system components, motors, pumps and other parts are just not designed to for heavy-duty usage over time, especially when one considers car washing and auto detailing. Logic rules when the one compares the pricing of one of these light-duty power washing machines to commercial and industrial pressure washing systems selling for hundreds and even thousands of dollars more.

Commercial pressure washing machines are excellent for the car washing and auto detailing industry and sold in a variety of configurations and technologies. A car washing or auto detailing business can purchase a cold, hot, or even steam power washing machine powered by electric, propane, gasoline, and even diesel technology. The pressure washing machines' psi and flow rate will also impact car washing and overall auto detailing performance and cleaning results. The best pressure washing and power washing equipment can last for more than twenty years.

Professional car washing and auto detailing work should involve hot water power washing equipment as the goal is to wash cars and vehicles more quickly and effectively. Cold pressure washing systems simply lack the higher temperatures that are so necessary to help clean the car surfaces more deeply and dissolve substances more quickly. Only higher temperature power washing machines are capably of delivering that kind of performance.

Certainly, auto detailing and car washing success is dependent upon the customer's satisfaction with the cleaning job. Pressure washing and power washing cleaning chemicals are a critical aspect of any car washing and auto detailing business, but the type and safety of the chemicals is important as well. The EPA closely monitors the car washing and auto detailing industry to help ensure runoff is captured without pouring down storm drains. Car washing and auto detailing professionals must employ whatever systems are necessary to ensure regulations are met, or else the EPA will impose stiff fines.

Green cleaning chemicals and solutions have become the buzzwords in the car washing and auto detailing industry. Be very careful to carefully review and evaluate the green cleaning chemicals presented to you to help ensure they perform as well as the vendors claim for your car washing and auto detailing business. The car washing and auto detailing industry is laden with traditional cleaning chemicals as well as the more popular green cleaning chemicals, but many do not work well. Your task is to weed out the good from the bad before making a decision. Nano technology is the latest offering in green cleaning chemicals and will make a dramatic impact in the car washing and auto detailing industry.

Power Washing Tips: Dos and Don'ts

Power washing is amazing. With only a couple of blasts from a power washer, decades of filth can be removed. Beforehand, however, it's critical that power washer users appreciate how to correctly use such a powerful tool in order to avoid harm. The pressure washing dos and don'ts gathered below will help you understand how to best properly use a pressure washer.

Power Washer Don'ts

Don't aim a pressure washer at living things, even in jest. Pressure washers are powerful enough to cause injury to people or pets.
Don't use hot water unless it's approved in the product manual. Unless your pump is made for hot water, don't use it. Rather than destroy your tool with improper use, call a power washing company to clean the surface.
Don't power wash glass. You're just asking for problems if you attempt power washing windows - they can easily break under a pressure washer's powerful stream. Power washing can also destroy window seals and render manufacturer warranties void.
Don't use bleach or acid-based solutions in your pressure washer. These toxic chemicals can be harmful for both the pressure washer itself and for pets and family members. Hire a professional power washing company rather than playing around with such powerful chemicals.
Don't walk away from a running pressure washer.

Power Washing Dos

Do carry out power washing tests first. If you're uncertain about the proper nozzle type, cleaning solution, water temperature or pressure setting for any project, test an inconspicuous area first. Another option is to hire a pressure washing company to teach you how to properly clean the surface in question.
Do flush out your chemical injector following every use. Lingering chemicals will surely cause difficulties later on, so clean out your pressure washer after using the chemical injector.
Do wear protective eyewear and long-sleeved clothing. Remember, this machine can spray water at 1,500 to 3,000 PSI. Sharp particles may fly off under such high pressures. To avoid permanent eye damage, don protective eye goggles before turning on a power washer. Power washing company managers recommend full face masks for particularly dangerous projects. It's also wise to wear long-sleeve clothing when running a power washer. Lastly, you can prevent accidents by engaging the safety lock during power washing pauses.
Do store your power washer in a protected area with proper ventilation. Depending on whether your area commonly sees freezing temperatures in the winter, winterization may be necessary - especially if you plan to store your pressure washer in an unheated room.
Do check engine levels before powering up your power washer. To protect the engine, always check oil levels before turning on your pressure washer. Check your owner's manual for additional maintenance procedures.

Do notice the distance between the tip of the nozzle and the surface you're cleaning. More or less space will be required for cleaning different surfaces. In general, tough surfaces such as a BBQ grill can withstand higher pressure settings at closer distances, as close as three inches. Other surfaces will need more space; the exterior of a home, for instance, should be cleaned from a distance of at least six inches, depending on the construction material. Testing pressure washing settings in an out-of-the-way area will help you find the best cleaning technique for each project.

Power Washing Consultant Tips

A professional power washing consultant, however, sees railcars in a different light - as profit. Each passing railcar is a potential unit in a profitable service contract.

The Niche Market of Railcar Cleaning

A niche market, the rail industry is full of untapped potential for power washing. Pressure wash consulting firms know there are legal requirements for the rail industry that mandate cleaning; for example, locomotives must be cleaned after a specified number of service hours, and boxcars must be cleaned before transporting different products. In addition, power washing is a regular part of the rail industry's maintenance of cars in order to maintain the corporate image. Power wash consulting professionals can develop a simple request for exterior washing to include additional value-added services such as graffiti removal, repairing hatches, paint touch-ups and more.

A good pressure wash consulting professional may advise your company that a lack of experience in the railway industry shouldn't deter you from venturing into this niche market. This is absolutely correct - with a few years of wastewater recovery and power washing experience; written best management practices; and the completion of a railcar cleaning training program, a contractor should feel confident about offering services in this relatively untapped market.

Entering the Market

While some railway companies may have their own service locations and pressure washing equipment, more companies are hiring contractors to do the work at a specific location. To enter this market, a power washing consultant would advise researching the companies in your businesses area and directly contacting the purchasing agent (or strategic sources manager) for each company. If the firm currently has a power washing service provider, management may still be open to new bids at the next contract renewal time; it never hurts to ask.


When you prepare a bid, first know what type of railcars you may be cleaning. You will also need to know if there are any regulations specific to the company or industry. For example, when washing locomotives, the American Association of Railroads has written guidelines dictating that waterproof tarps must cover the brakes before pressure washing. Identified as a significant safety hazard, pressure washing without this preventive measure may cause corrosion of the disk brakes, resulting in brake failure.


Another major consideration a power washing consultant may advise you about is location. Take into account who owns the land where the work will be done, as well as environmental constraints such as water sources and wastewater disposal.

In addition, a pressure wash consulting professional will advise you that the railway industry will have tight deadlines to get the railcars back in service as soon as possible. It is not unreasonable to be asked to clean one unit train - consisting of 125 railcars - in as little as three days

Power Washing Myths, and the Truth Behind Them

Knowing the truth behind the following power washing myths will help you find the best power washing service for your needs.

1. Power washing is safe because it uses primarily water.
Power washing seems innocuous enough - after all, it's just water, right? This common misconception fails to take into account the toxins that pressure washing sweeps into storm drains and from there into local watersheds. Automobiles release lethal heavy metals and other pollutants as they run. These and other contaminants are deadly for aquatic wildlife. As a washing service cleans your home, business, or automobile, hazardous materials will be whisked away, into nearby streams and rivers.
Conscientious professional power washing firms prevent this pollution by collecting and refining their own wastewater.

2. All you need is water for thorough power washing.
Service specialists do appreciate the cleaning power of pressurized water, but they also know that high pressures can damage some surfaces. As an example, lower pressure levels are best when cleaning siding; high pressure can force water behind the siding, which can then lead to mildew and mold growth. Furthermore, especially stubborn stains, typically containing grease or oil, often will not come away with cold water alone.
For these situations, professional pressure washing gurus use hot water and specialized cleaning mixtures to prevent damage while achieving perfect cleanliness. The most forward-thinking pressure washing firms use eco-friendly cleaning blends.


3. I know enough to do my own power washing.
Service experts have plenty of professional pressure washing experience, making them ready to take on any cleaning assignment without causing damage. That last clause is the most important thing to remember - a professional pressure wash company representative knows how to clean any surface without causing damage or injury. For instance, roof shingles can easily be destroyed if too much pressure is used to clean them.
You might be surprised to hear that homeowners seriously injure themselves every year while power washing. Pressure washing injuries often occur when people lean ladders against their homes to reach the higher parts of their siding. In this situation, the intense power of a pressure washer can easily take a person unaware and cause a nasty fall.
Therefore, if your setup seems precarious, or you're unsure of the best way to clean the surface at hand, you should call in a pressure wash company for help.

4. All honest power washing service providers can give telephone quotes.
Yes, a pressure wash company should be capable of providing general estimates over the phone, as long you provide a detailed description of the cleaning project. In the end, however, a physical walkthrough is required to give a detailed cost estimate. Fortunately, many a pressure washing service provides free in-person estimates.

5. Power washing is simple enough that the lowest price is usually the best choice.
Many homeowners presume that all pressure washing services are the same, so the rock-bottom price is therefore the best selection. However, companies that advertise the lowest price are often either a) inexperienced and more likely to cause irreparable damage, or b) engaging in a bait and switch tactic, in which they tack on extra costs later on.
To find an honest pressure wash company within your price range, ask for references, and inquire after additional costs that are not included in your estimate.

Spring Home Power Washing

Spring is finally HERE! It is time to make a checklist of items for spring clean-up. Why not start with the exterior of your home? This past winter was full of wild weather, including snow, sleet and high winds that left behind everything from dirt to actual damage for many homeowners to deal with. Although it is very tempting to go rent a power washer and "do it yourself" consider these issues that may arise


• Power washing is a trained skill and if done wrong can cause damage to all you home surfaces (roof, siding, decking etc), resulting in high repair bills.
• Power washing can be dangerous. Climbing ladders and using chemicals that you may not be used to working with can be dangerous for you, your family and your property.
• Rented equipment may not work properly or may have a learning curve. In addition, you may get the immediate results you are looking for but your mold, mildew and grime may come back faster than if you had it removed professionally. Consider a Professional Pressure Washing Company.
• A full service cleaning washing company is trained and washes houses everyday. They have been able to master the process and can get in and out quickly.
• A professional pressure washing service is fully insured. If there is a problem you and your property are covered.
• Because the washing process is done with commercial grade, customized equipment and products the results last longer. A reputable company should be able to offer a warranty of some sort, especially when it comes to roof cleaning.
• Your time is valuable, call a professional power washing company and get a free estimate and decide for yourself. To get your property looking its best, choose a home power washing company that can fulfill all your power washing needs. House washing (all types of siding and masonry), low pressure roof cleaning, gutter clean out and inspection, power washing composite and wood decks, cleaning all patios surfaces, sidewalks, driveways and general cleanup. Fences, porches, pool decks and patio furniture can also be brought back to like-new appearance. The following issues can be addressed and, in most cases, completely removed...

• Dirt & Grime
• Mold & Mildew
• Gum
• Discolorations
• Rust Stains
• Oil Stains
• Algae Growth
• Cobwebs
• Bird Droppings...and more

Enhance The Modernity Of Your House With Contemporary Coffee Tables

It is quite popular that a mug of coffee with your loved one in the winter evening is quite peaceful and relaxing. Just imagine, this mug of coffee with two contemporary chairs and a contemporary coffee table in your living room would add to the amorous ambience of the area and would enhance the taste of the coffee. The comfortable seating and luxurious table, where you would put your coffee mug for a while and then, pick it up to have a sip would definitely add the ‘WOW’ factor.

Looking at the designs of these tables, one would definitely say thanks to innovations made in the manufacturing industries. These beautiful coffee tables with glass top or so called complementing furniture would enhance the modernity and luxury of the room. These low tables would not only add to the décor of your house but would add the aura of charm and cosiness.

These tables are available in a variety of styles, sizes and colours. One can buy it, as per his or her needs and budget. One can easily find square, rectangular, triangle and oval shaped tables made up of wood and glass. There are different colours of them available that can well suit the surrounding of the room. These may range from while to brown or black in colour. One can also find mix of these colours.

There are many online stores available where a person can look for various designs and styles. One should carry out research before buying in these products and should buy a one that could satisfy the needs of your house.

Contemporary chairs: Elegant and Trendy

Contemporary chairs add up to innovative furniture items that give your house a modern look. These are overall stylized and modern chair that give brightness to staid setting. It is a practical seating solution, whether it is contemporary dining chair, lounge chair or chairs for general seating. These chairs are available in all sorts of designs, styles and shapes. It offers cosy enveloping comfort that a person would love to have.

It is beyond doubt that one would be ready to invest in these furniture items, just with a look at their cotemporary designs. These trendy settings would soon be the point of apprehension. A person investing in these items should not worry about them getting outdated in few years, as these chairs are modern and would look so in the coming years. They look elegant. Their designs are so built they stay fresh and modern. They will never go out of style.

These are attractive items that a person should surely buy, when buying for modern furniture. One should choose a design that could fit inside the space in your house. The innovative designs and complete versatile range of these contemporary chairs would surely capture your heart in the first view. These chairs can be added to your dining room, living room, lounge or bedroom. An individual can place these chairs anywhere in the house and it will ornate the place and give it an elegant look.

So, next time, whenever you are shopping for your furniture items, make sure that you add contemporary chairs to your list to give a modern look to your house. These trendy items would surely be loved by all family members and relative visiting your place.