Will a Pressure Washer Remove Rust?
Unfortunately, all things deteriorate over time. One of the ways this deterioration happens is through rusting. While in some cases, the appearance of rust can be mitigated, in others, it can seem downright inevitable. It also puts you in a position where you’ll start thinking about potential solutions. For example, will a pressure washer remove rust from your property’s exterior surfaces? Or are you stuck with the rust for as long as you own the home or business?
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at why surfaces rust, when pressure washing is appropriate for its removal, and how rust removal works. We are Ultra Power Washing, a local pressure washing business in Harford County, and we’ll be your guide today!
Why Do Surfaces Rust?
It’s good to understand why surfaces rust when you are trying to avoid it. The culprit is a chemical reaction called oxidation. The air we breathe is filled with oxygen, and when this oxygen binds with certain elements, especially iron, it will create rust. As rust forms on your property’s exterior surfaces, it will detract from their overall appearance, resulting in reduced home or business curb appeal.
Humanity has made some technological advances to reduce the impact of rust. For example, stainless steel is resistant to corrosion because it contains chromium. However, there’s no real way to avoid rust on your property’s exterior—not entirely. Some examples of the surfaces that can rust include concrete driveways, sidewalks, brick walls, and pavers.
Is Pressure Washing Appropriate For Rust Removal?
Is pressure washing a reasonable way to get rid of rust? That ultimately depends on how much the exterior surfaces have rusted. Unfortunately, pressure washing is not a viable way to remove deep corrosion. When a surface has almost completely rusted, there won’t be much of a surface left behind after pressure washing all the rust away. Ideally, you will prevent a rust problem from escalating to this point.
Will a pressure washer remove rust in the case of a light stain? This is a much better bet. Pressure washing is a fantastic way to remove surface-level oxidation. With the correct preparations and equipment, you can even do this work on your own!
What Tools Will I Need?
If you are planning to remove rust from your property’s exterior surfaces with pressure washing, you’ll need to purchase the correct tools for the work. Of course, if you’ve never done your own pressure washing, it won’t be clear what you need for the project. Good news—we’ve put together a simple bulleted list for your convenience.
- Pressure Washer. A pressure washer is your secret weapon in the fight against rust. This machine will pressurize water and transform it into a powerful force that you can use to strip away debris from exterior surfaces.
- Hose and Nozzle. A hose and nozzle are essential for pressure washing because they allow you to direct pressurized water onto surfaces.
- Rust Removal Chemicals. We recommend using a rust removal chemical, such as oxalic acid, so you can more easily remove rust.
- Safety Equipment. Don’t forget safety gear, including protective eyewear, gloves, closed-toe shoes, and full-length pants.
Preparing a Surface For Rust Removal
Will a pressure washer remove rust? Yes, but only if you make the correct preparations. For example, you’ll want to make sure there are no objects in the way of your work. Move any furniture, decorations, or other items to ensure they don’t become damaged. Additionally, consider treating rust stains with rust removal chemicals ahead of time. Simply put a thin layer of the cleaning solution on the rust in question. It should only take a few minutes for the rust to be significantly weakened.
Finally, make sure you give yourself ample time to complete the work. Depending on the amount of rust you need to remove, the project could take you anywhere from thirty minutes to a few hours. The last thing you’ll want to do is rush this process, so please, plan ahead accordingly!
Removing Rust With Pressure Washing
With all preparations out of the way, you can pressure wash your surfaces and set them free from light rust stains. Select an appropriate amount of water pressure for the material you are cleaning; then, thoroughly rinse the area. If you used rust removal chemicals, you should find that the rust lifts and washes away with ease. This will restore the beauty of the surface, and in turn, improve the overall appearance of the property.
Not only will a pressure washer remove rust, but it will also remove many other unwanted forms of debris. Some examples of this include dirt, moss, mold, algae, pollen, bird droppings, dead insects, and much, much more. So be careful. You might start your project trying to remove rust but ultimately decide to thoroughly clean your entire property for the best possible results!
Challenges of DIY Rust Removal
While it’s certainly possible to do your own rust removal, it’s also worth noting that the work isn’t always easy. It will eat up a big chunk of your time and energy. It will require you to purchase all the necessary equipment. And if you make any mistakes while handling pressurized water, it could damage your property’s exterior or even cause you injury. If you want to avoid all this trouble, reach out to Ultra Power Washing because we would love to do this work for you!
We are a locally owned and operated business, and it’s always our pleasure to remove rust from exterior surfaces so our clients don’t have to. At Ultra Power Washing, not only will we complete this work to your complete satisfaction, but we will also do it for a fair price. We encourage you to contact us online with a description of your rust removal project today. That way, we can provide you with a free cost estimate. If you like this estimate, proceed to choose a time and date for your appointment!