One of the great things about snow is that it can provide a clean slate for your property. Sure, it can be messy, but after it melts you can see just how dirty your home or business landscape had become.
In order to "clear the slate," though, you have to clear away the snow. Often that’s a sign calling for a shovel, a snow blower or hiring someone to clear the way for you. But what if there was another option?
One of the most common questions people ask their pressure washing service is whether it's possible to pressure wash snow. Pressure washing is one of the best ways to keep your property looking great, but many people think that it is only for the warmer months.
The short answer to that question is yes. It is possible to pressure wash snow, but you have to be careful about how you do it. There are a few ways that you can pressure wash snow, depending on what kind of equipment you want to use and how much time you want to spend on it.
One thing that’s always recommended is using a high-quality detergent or soap when cleaning any type of hard surface in the wintertime. When the temperatures are below freezing, water can freeze if there isn't an agent present that prevents it from doing so. If you don't have any soap or detergent on hand, then your best bet might be to just use hot water on the surface before applying anything else.
How to Pressure Wash Snow
Pressure washing works with water and pressure from a sprayer — usually between 1,000 and 4,000 pounds per square inch (psi) — to remove dirt and other debris from surfaces like concrete or brick. It uses water at high pressure instead of chemicals because water can penetrate into cracks and crevices where chemicals might not be able to reach.
The problem with using pressure washing to remove snow is two-fold: temperature and surface damage. Pressure washers work well in temperatures above freezing, but they're less effective when the water turns to ice on contact with cold surfaces.
If you're not sure how to pressure wash snow, here are some simple steps that will help you do just that:
1. Use a good quality pressure washer with a long hose attachment and a quick-release nozzle to safely blast away snow and ice from decks and roofs.
2. Spray the snow and ice off of your roof with the pressure washer at an angle so that it doesn't hit you in the face.
3. Keep your hands behind your back while holding the sprayer in front of your body so that they stay warm while spraying.
4. Use an extension cord or battery power to ensure that the pressure washer has enough juice for at least 20 minutes of continuous use without running out of power halfway through (which could cause damage).
If you've ever seen someone shoveling snow off their roof or from their sidewalk, you've probably noticed that the snow is pretty dry and light. In fact, most snow will fall apart if you try to pick it up with your hands. The same concept applies when using a pressure washer on snow. The device will simply blow small pieces of the stuff away instead of wiping it clean. Ask for guidance from the Giraffetools collections if you are unsure of how to clean up without messing up.
