How to Pressure Wash a House Before Painting It

Attach one end of a garden hose to a water source and the other end to the pressure washer water house coupling. Attach the pressure washer hose to the pressure washer and then to the pressure washer gun. These are attached by locking couplers.

Close all windows, vents and doors on the house. Identify problem ares where you feel the pressure washer will do more damage than good and then make a mental note to avoid them. These areas may include electrical outlets, shingles, hardware, light fixtures and planters.

Stick the green tip in the end of the pressure washing gun. Turn on the water to garden hose.

Plug the pressure washer into an electrical outlet if it's electric or pull-start the pressure washer if it's gas powered. Flip the pressure washer's ON/OFF switch to the ON position.

Stand six feet back from the house's surface and pull the trigger. Walk toward the surface to be sprayed until you notice the pressure washer is doing its job. If you're not getting the results you desire then switch to the yellow tip, but stand back from the surface at least 6 feet before pulling the trigger. Walk toward the surface again until the washer achieves the cleaning effect you desire.

Angle the stream of water downward while spraying the house's many surfaces. Spray back and forth around the house's walls, trim work, eaves, soffits, doors, gutters and foundation. Use a telescoping wand to reach the high areas of the home. The white tip can be used to rinse windows. Work from top to bottom so that the dirt and debris is always traveling down the house.