Can You Power Wash In the Rain?

Having set up to rent a power washer or hire a power washing service, the day arrives and you are greeted by a sky that looks threatening. The dark, heavy clouds let you know it is going to rain at any minute. Should you cancel the power washing? The answer is both yes and no, depending on some other factors.

Power Wash Your Own Home In The Rain

If you are the one doing the power washing, you can still do it if you take a few safety precautions.

• You will want to make sure no part of your equipment is spent in standing water. If you can actually keep the equipment engine dry during the entire process, then it is safer.
• You will want to check out the age of your equipment. Any that has been made within the past fifteen years should have a UL sticker on it. This sticker means that the product has been tested by an international organization which makes it its duty to check on the safety of the equipment. The sticker will tell you if your particular pressure washing equipment is considered safe to use in the rain.
• When it comes to gas versus electric, you will need to use more caution with the electric version. There is less chance of electrocution with gas models.
• How much rain are we talking about? If it is raining lightly, with no sign of thunder or lightning, you are fairly safe. If it is pouring, you may want to consider another day. If there are thunder and lightning, definitely put the job off.
• How familiar are you with your equipment and how it runs? For someone who has never used such equipment before, it is better to wait for a clear day because there are many safety factors you need to have in place. In this case, you may want to wait until you can hire a professional or you have an excellent weather day. If you have done this before, know the safety precautions, and know your equipment well, then a little rain doesn’t have to stop you.

Contact a professional power washer today to avoid potentially dangerous DIY situations.

Why Power Wash Professionals Prefer A Cloudy Day

Professional power washers spend months and months training for the job. Working with electrical equipment and ever-changing weather, they need to be prepared for all types of conditions. Their very lives may depend on it. That said, many professional power washers prefer a cloudy day, even one with very light rain. Here is why:

1. The detergent tends to dry very quickly on bright, sunny days. Considering that the detergent needs to be wet in order to rinse completely, this drying can be annoying and create more work. A slight sprinkle can slow down the drying process.

2. A bright sun creates conditions for glaring. When the sky is overcast, the professional can see where there needs to be more work. He can see the places that may have been initially missed or need additional attention, and he can see where more rinsing is required.

Note: Even a professional with years of experience will avoid heavy downpours and thunder and lightning. No amount of training is worth the risk in that type of weather!

Power Washing Final Thoughts

Power washing is possible in the rain. Don’t just jump into it, however. Safety precautions need to be taken, the equipment you use needs to be maintained in a certain manner and approved for use in the rain, and you need to know how to keep yourself safe throughout the process. Doing this in the rain is not recommended for those new to power washing.

Find the nearest Squeegee Squad location to you for more information on residential power washing.