What is the Right Way to Do Residential Pressure Washing?

When performing your regular home maintenance, consider when was the last time you cleaned the exterior of you home. As with any part of your home, proper upkeep is essential for longevity. Regular pressure washing is the best option for siding, driveways, sidewalks and more. Not only does it remove built-up dirt and grime that can be hazardous to your health, but it will boost curbside appeal of the property. Keep reading to learn how to properly power wash your home, including safety measures.

How to Protect Yourself

Improper use of a pressure washer puts you at risk for serious personal injury. Water at such a high pressure is powerful enough to tear off skin and even cause blindness. Playing with a pressure washer is no joke, and they should strictly be used for outdoor cleaning. Take the following precautions to avoid injuries.

1. Wear proper protection - First and foremost, you need eye protection. High water pressure can fling dirt and debris in every direction, including your face. To prevent the washer from slipping out of your hands, you should also wear gloves that provide a solid grip.
2. Take note of your surroundings - Any sources of electricity are a serious risk. Before you start pressure washing, close or cover outdoor outlets. Similarly, cover vents. Take stock of any overhead power lines. If you are using an extension wand, you should be very careful to avoid them.
3. Never use a ladder - This common mistake can lead to injuries and fatalities. If you find it necessary to access a high area (as in the case of a two-story home), use scaffolding. Recoil from the washer is strong enough to pull you off a ladder, or pull a ladder over, even with someone holding the base. If you can’t rent scaffolding, hire a professional pressure washing service.
4. Clean up the space - Any tripping hazards should be cleared prior to cleaning. This includes any toys, lawn furniture and/or vehicles.
5. Check for lead and asbestos - Both of these materials can be found in homes built prior to the 1970s. Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used in paint. It can cause a range of health problems, such as damage to the brain and other vital organs, like the kidneys, nerves and blood. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung disease and lung cancer. Pressure washing can dislodge lead and asbestos, allowing them to be inhaled. If you are concerned that either may have been used in your home, contact a professional before power washing. Removing either substance is NOT a DIY job.

What You Will Need

There is nothing worse than starting a project, only to realize you have to run back to the store. Make sure you have all of the right tools and attachments to start pressure washing. To begin, you will have to choose a gas or electric powered pressure washer. Both will get the job done, but with a higher gallon per minute (GPM), gas will do the work faster.

For various tasks, you will also need a set of nozzles. One will be a soaping nozzle, used to apply a detergent. A detergent is necessary in order to remove dirt and grime without requiring excess water pressure that may cause damage. We recommend an environmentally safe option that is suited to the specific building materials of your home. The second nozzle should be a 24- or 45-degree tip for pressure washing. You can also purchase a brush attachment and extension wand. While these tools are not required, both can save you a little elbow grease.

When You Should Send in the Pros

An important part of home maintenance is knowing when to pass the job to a professional. One reason is when your safety is compromised. If you do not have all of the proper tools or equipment, you could easily cause injury or damage to your property. If you need more time to study up, our blog post – “Seven Mistakes to Avoid While Pressure Washing Your House” – covers the basics.

If you feel unsure of your DIY ability, call Daniel’s Lawn Service & Pressure Washing. From pressure washing to lawn service or maintenance, to landscape design, we handle it all! We have the experience and high-quality professional equipment, to ensure your home gets the proper attention it needs to hold up against the unpredictable Florida weather for years to come. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

For many, having a pet is like having a child. As with children, you are keen on providing a healthy environment for them to live, explore, play and relax. For pets, this means their very own yard. Keep reading to learn how you can create a pet-friendly yard that is not only safe, but comfortable and inviting.

Use Pet-friendly Chemicals

The maintenance of your yard means using a variety of chemical treatments, often throughout the entire year. No matter who is performing these tasks and the application, it is key that you reiterate that your yard is used by pets. If you are doing your own yard work, be diligent about reading the ingredients and instructions in yard care chemicals.

Some chemicals may restrict animals from being in the area until it is dry, or for a specific period of time. However, many are unsafe for animals altogether, and may need to be replaced with organic alternatives. If for any reason you fear your pet has been exposed to hazardous chemicals, seek out a veterinarian immediately.

Pet-safe Plants

Whether you are inviting a new pet into your home, or renovating the landscaping, it is important to consider your pet’s safety while in this outdoor area. We tend to look at the beauty and function of plants, and forget that many are less than healthy for unsuspecting animals.

 Speak to your landscaper about what plants to avoid, and which they would recommend. If your yard is a DIY project, do the research yourself online.

Starting with grass, select a variety that can withstand the frequent activity of your pet. To protect your flowers or garden, place them in a raised flower bed or behind decorative stones. Plants frequently found in Central Florida yards and gardens that you should avoid include angel’s trumpet, azalea and oleander. For a complete list, read the Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. This list covers the entire United States, not just Central Florida.

Provide a Digging Area for Your Dogs

Old and young, dogs love to play, and will benefit from having an open area at home to indulge their instinct. While a spacious yard provides ample space to run, give them a place to cool down with a digging area. Choose an area away from patios or any other frequently used areas, as well as plants you want to keep. Block out a small space and border it with stones ‒ or create a temporary area with a kiddie pool. Inside, line the bottom with newspapers, and lay down a decent amount of soil or sand. The depth can vary based on the breed of your pet, and its energy level. 

Top off the area with leaves or mulch, but be cautious of the type of mulch. Some varieties, such as cocoa bean mulch, are toxic and can be fatal to dogs. To encourage your dog to dig or play in the space, have it watch you bury toys or treats to uncover. Repeat this often, and you are likely to create an incentive for your dog or dogs to be active. Be sure to cover it overnight to prevent cats from using the area.

Provide Fencing for a Boundary

While your pets need room to explore and play, they also need boundaries. A fence will create a limited, safe place for your pets to roam and get out any pent-up energy. Afraid it will be an eyesore? Unless your pet happens to be an escape artist, you do not have to have an eight-foot fence. You may choose to go with wood or iron at a height of about four feet, or even a beautiful white farm fence. Line it with pet-friendly plants and flowers to soften the appearance of the area. You can even include water features for pets to drink from, or an arbor under which everyone can enjoy some shade.

When you call Daniel’s Lawn Care and Pressure Washing, trust that we can create an environment comfortable and safe for you and your pets. With proper landscaping and maintenance, you can enjoy a beautiful yard year ‘round. Contact us today to learn about our services or schedule an appointment.

Although Florida can still reach a warm 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, there are several ways you can keep your lawn or garden interesting and healthy. Read the following tips to learn how you can improve the appearance of your yard, even in the wintertime.

How to Protect Winter Plants

While Florida may not be graced with snowfall, temperatures can dip as low as 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. For many plants, this is low enough to do serious damage. Make sure that prior to the winter season, you have properly pruned any overgrown trees or plants. This will prevent breakage during potentially windy conditions or heavy rainfall.

You should apply a coarse mulch to keep roots warm, and reduce water needs. It will also prevent weeds from growing, reduce soil erosion, and act as insulation. It should be around 3- to 4-inches deep, but no more. You can rake it on occasion, to be sure the mulch does not accumulate following inclimate weather. If there isn’t an adequate amount of rainfall, continue watering on a regular basis.

If you know that low temperatures are likely, take caution by covering tender plants with old cloths, such as bed sheets or burlap. Never use plastic, as it will cause condensation on plant leaves, which can lead to burnt leaves from direct sunlight. Perform these steps with diligence, as there is less daylight in the winter. Otherwise, you may find yourself rushing to complete them in the dark.

The Best Plants for Winter in Florida

If you are planning on renovating your landscape for the season, or just adding a few plants, look for plants that are cold-tolerant. Some flowers and plants will grow in Florida year-round, while others may only be suitable for a short period of time.

Here is a Florida winter flower and plant guide to help you get started:

Flowers:

• Pansies

• Snapdragons

• Petunias

• Amaryllis

Vegetables

• Cabbage

• Cauliflower

• Carrots

• Potato varieties

Brighten Up Your Landscaping

One easy way to add to your landscape – without overcrowding plants – is with hardscaping. This can consist of a trellis, arbor, walkway or wall. Any similar types of landscape architecture will contrast with the vegetation by addings new textures and colors. Neutral tones in particular contrast nicely with greenery. Structures such as benches or patios will add an extra entertainment element, perfect for bonfires on cool Florida nights.

With so many holidays to celebrate during the winter season, one way to light up a landscape is with decorations. String lights can be added to arbors, walkway handrails or even trees. If lights are not your taste, there are a variety of yard decorations to suit any style. You can also place embellishments in or around summer and spring plant containers. If you do use outdoor lighting, be sure to appropriately warn your lawn service, or mark power cords for visibility.

Does your landscaping need a little TLC for the winter? Call Daniel’s Lawn Service and Pressure Washing. We can get your lawn back in shape and looking lush for the winter months. Licensed and insured, we specialize in land clearing, landscaping design, lawn maintenance and much more. Contact us today to set up an appointment.