Is it necessary to power wash rendered houses?

moneyistooshorttomention

I'd never heard of power washing houses until I moved to a different part of the country.

So - I am wondering why its common here to power wash them? Is it something that's necessary (ie from the pov of maintenance of the house itself)?

I've come from a part of the country where houses are usually brick. But we never power wash our houses (even if they're painted). It just doesnt happen.

Hence - why I'm wondering if there is actually a physical necessity to powerwash a house sometimes if it has rendered walls? I got persuaded into doing it myself by a decorator before he did the outside of my (concrete blocks with rendering on) house I have bought here - but could see it made a mess of plants in my garden (ie not possible to do again from that pov - as my garden will be "established" by the time he told me it would be "necessary" again).

I also noticed a lot of little flecks on the ground nearby afterwards - and I think it might have been bits of my render (rather than paint - which would have been bad enough);

I just cant help feeling it doesnt do the render on these houses any good to have these houses power-washed.

Can I have objective opinions as to whether it really is necessary to do this or no? Also - what happens about people protecting the plants in their gardens if they do this?

I also think it cant be necessary to do this really from a maintenance pov - because roofs are sometimes done as well - so I think it must be something that is just down to "personal taste".

DaftyDuck

It is not necessary. Ever.

A lazy decorator might choose to powerwash prior to painting, to save on brushing down and stabilizing the render prior to painting.

It's far less good than brushing for removal of salt (seaside), lichens (clean air areas), oily residue (built-up areas), or loose old paint (everywhere). I suppose it might help for radioactive contamination, but.... :eek:

However, as I said, he's being lazy; use someone else next time.

Why is it common to power wash? It's money, Money. How many ways can be invented to encourage people to open their wallets for essential services... Power washing rooftops is catching on....

Oh, btw, you are badly misquoting the Dalai Llama

Davesnave

What did people do before power washing was invented, I wonder?

Oh yes, they re-painted.

Something like Dulux Weathershield lasts a good 8-10 years of weather, after which it's probably a good idea to get the brushes & rollers out. Blasting it with high pressure water wouldn't seem to me very useful for anything, except dislodging dodgy bits. A low pressure scrub with a fungicide would probably suffice, though.

As you have a bungalow, you could do it yourself and be sure your plants aren't trodden on too. There's MSE, look you!

moneyistooshorttomention

Ooh Dafty - I loves ya.....<mwah> <mwah>

(LOL at thought of Dafty now beating a very hasty retreat down the road.....:rotfl:).

right....sorted. I thought it must be a "bit of a lark" type thing and comments from yourself and Davesnave do rather seem to prove it...:cool:

I, for one, won't be getting it done again. Gawdknows it feels like people can get my money out of me fast enough one way and another without my opening my purse and saying "Help yourself" in effect. <@foot being put very firmly down.dot.com.

brightontraveller

I would be very cautious using a jet washer to clean any wall?

Jet washer have varying bar / pressure you could quite easily damage the surface in the instance of render reparable? For brick/ block face etc if it were to damage them you’re stuffed ?

Rendered manufactures e.g k rend etc refer to heated low pressure high steam (sometimes combination of chemicals and steam) which to some may appear to be the same as Jet washer ? Or Broom/brush hose (again chemicals)bit of elbow grease is far more common.

I’d say doesn’t care if they damage surface lazy sod ?

But as this is a forum with plenty a oblivious happy DIYer dare say plenty do use a jet washer ?

moneyistooshorttomention

Davesnave

Right - that's sorted that too. It was Dulux Weathershield - so I figure it doesnt need redecorating outside until my 70s. So I reckon on having the outside repainted once more - and that should "see me out" to quote my mothers phrase. The time after that would mean me being mid-80s. In that case - yep...make that once more I'll ever do it then. Come mid-80s (if I'm still around) I shall "put my foot down" and refuse to do another shred of maintenance on my house anyway <shrugs>.

Dan-Dan

Money , just as an aside regards your Insurance question a few years back about construction of your house , as you , i found that lots of houses in Wales are breezeblock cavitys with render , and i had a ten minute conversation with L&G when doing my Insurance for new house , the underwriters said they regard it as brick , which was a good thing to know as i did have non standard in the back of my mind if they didnt want to try and investigate further

I would never power wash the render by the way, the house i bought has been painted red , dont ask , but a near neighbour has green , with a cream in the middle so it looks good , if you can believe that , the cream gets dirty though after a few winters , with the fronts being north facing , does not help

moneyistooshorttomention

Thanks Brighton Traveller - we're building up a consensus here then.

Oh well - I guess anyone is entitled to make a mistake once - but only an idiot makes the same mistake a second time. I shant be doing this again personally.

moneyistooshorttomention

Dan-Dan

I thought mine was painted in a bad enough colour - but red:eek:

It's a learning experience isnt it?

Nevair mind - just keep reading that Facebook page. You know the one - "I live in Pembrokeshire and I love it".....and remind yourself why we're here....

Dan-Dan

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Nevair mind - just keep reading that Facebook page. You know the one - "I live in Pembrokeshire and I love it".....and remind yourself why we're here....

Starting to think i might know who you are......:D

moneyistooshorttomention

Been checking out the photos on that site then.....:rotfl: