If a pressure washing company offers to powerwash your home when temperatures are likely to dip below the freezing mark, then you might be dealing with an inexperienced and unprofessional pressure washing service.
Certainly, if you need your home, garage, driveway, or decks to undergo power washing during the winter months, it can be done – as long as the possibility of below-freezing temperatures is not forecast during the day of your service.
Avoid freezing temps during pressure washing
In the dead of winter, when everything looks bleak with dirt, grime, and salt covering most outdoor surfaces, a good pressure washing can instill new life and reinvigorate your home’s curb appeal. But, if the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius), then you may be causing issues with your home’s structural components and architectural detail.
The general rule of thumb is not to power wash when the outside temperature is below 40 degrees. The first reason for avoiding freezing temperatures is that water will be temporarily trapped in unseen places. If it’s too cold and the cleaning solution with water freezes, the expansion caused by ice crystals can put stress on structural connections.
Always speak to your professional pressure washing company who can determine if the warming temperatures from noon to sunset will be sufficient drying time for pressure washing services. So, if you’re planning a Christmas family gathering or a New Year’s extravaganza, call Griff’s Services to discuss the possibility of having your property cleaned during the winter months.
Other considerations for pressure washing during winter months
Griff’s Pressure Washing Services can certainly help you plan ahead if you’ve delayed having your home’s exterior cleaned and would like to proceed during the winter months. As a professional service provider, Griff’s will take into account your location and which months are the coldest for your geographical area. We will also consider these other factors that can make power washing during the winter difficult.
Power washing equipment has pumps and cleaning solution lines that can freeze if the temperatures are too low. That’s why a day when the temps will hover around 40 degrees is safe for pressure washing and ensures our equipment won’t become damaged.
Wash water that runs down driveways and sidewalks can freeze when temperatures are too low. This can create an unsafe environment for anyone walking on these surfaces and happens to experience a slip and fall incident. No professional pressure washing company will put your family or community in jeopardy.
And, depending on the services you are choosing and the materials to be cleaned, low temperatures can affect the quality of the finished job. For example, services like aluminum brightening and acid cleaning require temperatures above 50 degrees to prevent an unwanted chemical reaction.
During cold weather, chemicals take longer to work, and it may take more cleaning solution to obtain good results from a winter power washing. For all these reasons, property owners should contact Griff’s Services before considering pressure washing outdoors during the winter months. We are flexible and will take the time to make sure the weather is cooperating to deliver the best in pressure washing services.
