Hydra Pressure Washing LLC

We really put the pressure on dirt by turning up the heat.

Tag: psi

Why PSI and GPM are Important

Water spraying from a pressure washing hose

If you want the best outcome when you are pressure washing, it’s important take a closer look at your machine’s washing settings first. Cleaning the dirty surface of a driveway, deck, and other parts of your property requires the right amount of force, which is where PSI and GPM come in. These are terms to describe the pressure and flow of the water, allowing you to get the sparkling clean you are looking for. Learn about why PSI and GPM are important for your cleaning needs!

Defining PSI

According to Hotsy Water Blast, “PSI stands for pounds per square inch. It refers to the intensity of the pressure with which the machine sprays.” If a machine has a high PSI setting, it’s more likely to lift grime from the surface. Commercial pressure washers have higher PSI’s that can range anywhere from 2,000 to 3,000. For residential washers, they tend to be lower than 2000 and can be handled by the average homeowner.

Defining GPM

“GPM stands for gallons per minute. It refers to the flow rate or the volume of water that moves through the pressure washer’s nozzle every minute”, states Hotsy Water Blast. After buildup of dirt and grime has been removed, it needs to be rinsed away. You can adjust the GPM and quickly rinse away any particles or leftover debris. Cleaning detergents may also be added to the water to remove dirt more easily.

Our Thoughts

We recommend contacting the professional crew at Hydra Pressure Washing, so you can sit back and relax. Our machines are capable of washing residential and commercial properties to effectively remove dirt, grime, mold, and more. Leave the dirty work to us by giving our company a call today!

Graffiti Removal Via Pressure Washing

For a homeowner, graffiti can be a pain to deal with; if murals are for embellishing, one may say that graffiti are for defacing. Staring at a beautiful building whose surfaces are marred by garish doodles, derogatory epithets, expletives, or other vulgarities is quite unpleasant. Thankfully, with powerful pressurized water, one can kiss all that graffiti goodbye. But how does that all work?

Apply

As with most pressure washes, graffiti removal can be an extremely satisfying thing to spectate. But before spraying all that H2O on the painted surface, remember to apply some chemical when appropriate. Although sheer water may somewhat attack the doodles, some product can help soften the particularly hardened layer of paint. Different surfaces require different chemicals, so take care to examine whether the graffiti is on a smooth surface like masonry. Ruining the surface further would be a travesty.

Spray

Using only water (with no addition of chemical supplement) is beneficial to the graffitied surface in that it minimizes the wear and tear on the surface. One intuitive strategy is to keep the pressure washer nozzle at a steep angle; blasting the water straight on can make the graffiti sink deeper into the surface. (Yikes!) As far as water goes, hot water is more effective than cold water, since raised temperature can make the painted surface expand and break up the graffiti material. Do be careful with the pressure; a pressure of 2000-35000 PSI may suit concrete surfaces, but walls made up of materials like stucco or wood are more fragile!

Draw

Graffiti removal is a little bit like reverse graffiti in that it is a craft that relies on how well a person can trace the curves and shapes that form the graffiti. (After all, graffiti means “scribblings” in Italian.) Being surgical and patient is crucial to success. Mastering the use of high-pressure tips and the rest of the pressure washer too enhances the job very much. But even if you end up mastering neither, don’t panic; professionals can help.

Conclusion

The tools of vandalism may keep coming, but thankfully, pressure washers continue to prove to be a formidable threat to them. Know that you don’t have to go through graffiti removal alone. The team at Hydra Pressure Washing LLC is out to help. Simply contact us!