Can You Pressure Wash Stucco | Expert Advice

Stucco is a fantastic alternative to traditional siding, brick, or stone. The textured surface of stucco, unfortunately, is infamous for collecting dust and dirt over time. A once-beautiful wall might become a nightmare of dirt streaks and mildew growth as a result of this. Fortunately, the strength of a pressure washer can blast the stains away and restore the appearance of your walls. Can You Pressure Wash Stucco | Expert Advice

Method of Pressure Wash stucco:

• Check the surface of Stucco:

The first step is to look for any evidence of damage on the stucco surface. Examine the area for any cracks, gaps, or other holes. Water may enter through the cracks if you wash without first checking the stucco surface. Mold and mildew can begin to grow as a result of this. Mold and mildew grow in damp environments, as many people are aware. This can result in water damage to your walls in some circumstances.

• Any cracks should be repaired:

Make sure there aren’t any cracks in the stucco surface before you start power washing. If there are any, water will be able to seep through, perhaps causing structural damage. All cracks and chips should be fixed and allowed to dry completely. To be sure, let the patches dry for about a week.

• Detergent is used to loosen dirt:

When washing stucco surfaces, it’s preferable to divide the project into sections and work on each one separately. To restore the luster of your stucco, you’ll need to use the correct detergent. Apply the detergent from the bottom up, overlapping a little to avoid missing any spots, and leave it to work and remove all ingrained dirt for a few minutes. Because the detergent must be moist to work, you will need to add fresh detergent water as needed while it is working.

• Heavy Stains Should Be Scrubbed:

Use a revolving scrub brush attachment to remove severely soiled areas. This will ensure that the stains are eliminated completely. Cleaning these tough stains will be a snap with a good rotating pressure washer brush, and the work will be completed faster than ever before. Rust can be difficult to remove. Rust stains should be treated with a rust-removal detergent, and in certain situations, hand-scrubbing may be required.

• Spray Everything Away:

Always make sure you’re rinsing using a low-pressure spray pattern. Because stucco is so delicate, you must always keep the spray nozzle at least 24 inches away from the surface. To avoid missing anything, clean one section at a time, overlapping slightly. Rather than adding detergent from the bottom up, start rinsing from the top and work your way down. Because the dirt and detergent will run down the wall’s surface, a downward rinse will keep the soapy filth going in the desired direction. After you’re done, carefully rinse the surrounding foliage with clean water to dilute and eliminate any leftover detergent.

Things must follow while pressure washing stucco:

• Stucco can be damaged by using the wrong chemicals:

Stucco is susceptible to more than simply physical harm. It’s just as hazardous to use the wrong cleaners or chemicals that are overly strong. Rust, oil, and any debris embedded deep in the crevices all require different detergents to remove the stain. Washing the wall with pressure only completes half of the task and leaves the wall dull. Using the improper chemicals or leaving them on the wall for too long might cause the material to discolor or weaken.

• Require proper pressure of water:

A pressure washer’s power is measured in PSI (pounds per square inch). Use pressure washers that have a maximum pressure of 3,600 PSI. When pressure cleaning stucco, a careful balance must be achieved. You must determine the pressure setting that will remove the dirt, filth, mold, and mildew while not damaging the stucco. Pressure should be between 1,500 and 2,500 PSI for pressure washing stucco, and even lower pressure is required if there is a first round of soap.

• Use chemicals properly:

Stucco will not be damaged by pressure washing alone. Even if light pressure is utilized with the incorrect chemical, issues can arise. Oils, mildews, molds, and the like make their way into the little cracks and crevices created by stucco’s pattern. To clean the wall and make it look clean, you’ll need the correct detergent. The use of incorrect chemicals can discolor or weaken the stucco, making cleaning even more difficult in the future.

• Surrounding areas:

There will be some runoff with any pressure washing job. Because concrete is porous, it can absorb some substances. Excessive water pressure can damage landscaping and plants. Before starting in earnest, it’s critical to safeguard the surfaces and landscaping.

Conclusion:

Stucco is still a popular choice for many property owners when it comes to building materials. Stucco may improve the appearance of any home’s exterior while also functioning as an insulator. It is also environmentally friendly, as it is made up of limestone, concrete, and sand. However, due to its rough surface, stucco may collect a lot of dirt, dust, mold, and algae. These contaminants can age the appearance of a home over time, as well as create long-term damage. As a result, you must pay close attention to your stucco surface and keep it clean. Stucco surfaces should be cleaned two to three times a year at the very least.