Power washers clean dirt off of shingles.
Using a power washer on a house makes it look newer and stain-free. It removes things like dirt and mold from siding, shingles, decks, driveways and walkways. Some people also use power washers to clean and prepare houses for new paint. For the most part, this maintenance job is fairly inexpensive.
Rental
As of 2010, power washer rentals cost $40 to $75 per day, according to the website Cost Helper. Most people renting equipment save money doing the project themselves instead of hiring a professional. This makes power washing a home affordable if one has the time to finish the project in one day.
Purchase
When the average homeowner decides to buy a power washer, he typically buys one with an electric motor. In 2010, these cost between $70 and $200, states Cost Helper. If a homeowner expects to power-wash his house every year or more often, this purchase makes a good investment. Those looking for a power washer with extra pressure buy gas-powered models costing $300 to $1,000 in 2010.
Hiring
You don't have to power-wash your house yourself. You can hire a professional contractor to do the work for you. As of 2010, the average pressure washer contractors charge between 8 to 35 cents per square foot, says Cost Helper. Houses with especially bad mold or stains may, however, pay more than 50 cents per square foot.
Additions
When hiring professional power-washing contractors, you should understand that some jobs require add-ons. For example, often professionals do not include driveways and sidewalks in the base price. In 2010, driveways and sidewalks cost about $75 to $200 as a flat price, or 8 to 15 cents per square foot, says the website Pressure Net. Power-washing roofs costs about 75 cents per square foot for cedar shake roofs and 20 cents per square foot for composition shingles.
Considerations
In terms of power washing, a higher pressure per square inch (PSI) doesn’t always mean better. For example high water pressure damages surfaces like wood siding and grout. If you don’t know if your house can take the pressure, hire a contractor. Saving money on a power washer rental quickly means nothing when you have to pay for siding or roof repairs.
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