Those springtime showers might be great for your garden, but they can also wet the exterior of your home—giving dirt a convenient place to stick. Over time, mud accumulation can make your home look dingy, decreasing your curb appeal. However, by renting a pressure washer, you might be able to scrub away tough grime in no time. Here are two tips to spray successfully so that you can stand back and admire your work:

1: Check for Loose or Delicate Structures

If you have never used a pressure washer before, you might be surprised by its strength. Water pressure is measured in pounds per square inch, or PSI. Depending on the pressure washer you use, the device could deliver pressures starting at around 750 PSI and ranging all the way up to 30,000 PSI. Because pressure washers pack such a powerful punch, it is important to check your house for these loose or delicate structures before you get started:

• Siding: Over time, siding can get knocked loose because of physical damage, wind, or rain. To avoid blowing off siding with your pressure washer, check for loose panels and have them repaired before you begin. 
• Flashing: Since flashing is responsible for protecting vulnerable areas on your roof and around your windows from water, check for loose flashing to keep moisture from making its way inside.
• Landscaping: If you don't want to botch those carefully planted flowers or send loose mulch flying, cover and secure your landscaping with a waterproof tarp.
• Lighting Fixtures: Make sure that lighting fixtures are securely fastened to your home, and that the delicate bulbs won't be exposed to the spray of your pressure washer.

After you secure the exterior of your home, make sure that you understand the location of exterior vents. Also, keep all doors and windows closed during the cleaning to keep water outside where it belongs.

2: Understand the Dangers

Pressure washing is a highly effective, quick way to give the entire exterior of your home a makeover. However, although that soap and water might seem innocent, pressure washers are inherently dangerous and they need to be handled with care. Here are a few things you need to understand to keep everyone safe:

• Injuries: Spraying a family member with a pressure washer might seem like a fun way to start a water fight, but you might unintentionally cause some serious injuries. Pressure washers are so powerful that they can cause serious abrasions, cuts, bruises, or even blindness. To avoid trouble, never horse around with your pressure washer, and avoid using the device around bystanders or children.
• Kickback: Because pressure washers send out a pressurized stream of water, they kick back during use. Before you use a pressure washer, make sure that you are physically capable of handling a high-power device. If you have a difficult time balancing yourself or lifting heavy objects, find a friend or family member to help you during your cleaning session.
• Slips and Falls: When you are cleaning your place, you might be tempted to scale ladders to reach second-story windows or your roof. However, since pressure washers can be hard to handle and you might be working with soap and water, try to avoid any situation where slipping and falling would be likely. Instead, try to access as much area as you can from the ground, and hire a professional to tackle areas that are more difficult.  

When you finish washing your house, don't leave your pressure washer unattended. If someone gets curious about your pressure washer and decides to give it a try, they might not know how to use it—which could lead to injuries.

By knowing how to pressure wash your home safely and effectively, you can restore your place to a gleaming shine, without causing any collateral damage. To get a pressure washer, contact a company like Ben's Cleaner Sales.