How to Remove Paint With a Pressure Washer From a House

Preparation

• 1

  Close your home's open windows and doors. Remove any items sitting next to your house--buckets, movable flower beds and other items. Wear work gloves to keep your hands clean.

• 2

  Spray any grass next to your house with water from a water hose so the grass won't dry out. Cover the grass and any plants, lights and other items around your home with landscaping fabric or plastic sheeting.

  Wear a nose mask and safety goggles to keep the paint fragments from entering your nose and eyes.

• 3

  Cover any exterior electrical outlets and lights with a piece of plastic sheeting. Use waterproof tape seal the sheeting to the items.

Removing the Paint

• 4

  Place your pressure washer on a piece of plastic sheeting. Slide the adjustable nozzle on the washer's wand backward. Turn the nozzle to a wide spray pattern.

  If your pressure washer contains removable tips instead of a adjustable nozzle, install the 40-degree spray tip after sliding the nozzle backward.

• 5

  Connect the pressure washer to the water hose by screwing the hose into the connector on the side of the washer. If your pressure washer contains a detergent dispenser, fill the dispenser with a commercial or homemade cleaning solution, if desired.

• 6

  Hold the washer's handle firmly with both hands at a 45-degree downward angle. Stand 3 feet from your home and turn on the washer. The downward angle will help direct the old paint toward the landscaping fabric or plastic sheeting.

• 7

  Work in sections moving the washer from side to side. Move quickly and do not spray one area of your home repeatedly with the spray of water--this will damage the surface under the paint.

• 8

  Adjust the nozzle to a narrower spray pattern (or install the 15-degree spray tip), if your home contains multiple layers of paint. Spray your house a second time after the first layer of paint is off. Also use the narrower spray pattern to remove paint from a second story.

• 9

  Spray your home with water from the water hose to rinse the surface.

• 10

  Roll up the landscaping fabric or plastic sheeting and uncover electrical outlets/lights once the paint removal process is complete. Dispose of the fabric/sheeting in a trash bag or can.

• 11

  Let the outside of your home dry for 48 hours before repainting or installing new siding or other covering.