Clean the facade with a pressure washer: Attention, danger!
Not every facade can stand being cleaned with a pressure washer – this is a great pity, as this type of cleaning is particularly easy. But think twice before you decide to steam it off! We explain what can happen in the worst case and how to avoid the biggest faux pas in this area.
Cleaning a facade: the pitfalls of high-pressure cleaning
If you want to clean a facade with a pressure washer, you usually use a pressure of at least 80 bar to achieve anything at all. Some homeowners even turn up the pressure to 200 bar: To withstand this force, a surface must be very stable!
Concrete paving slabs are something quite different from plaster and paint; and if they even lie on a soft thermal insulation composite system, a lot of caution is called for.
Also of interest: Clean concrete blocks with or without pressure washer
Moreover, during high-pressure cleaning on the ground, the water runs down into the soil, whereas on the facade it can penetrate right into the masonry. All it takes is a few cracks or holes: the moisture is pressed straight in and cannot get out as quickly.
Vaporising requires a highly stable substrate
A second difficulty can arise when cleaning facades with a high-pressure cleaner: If the plaster or clinker is not completely stable, spalling and washout are very likely to occur. It is therefore important to check the substrate carefully beforehand.
Mortar joints are one of the weak points of a facade; if they are no longer completely intact, they yield to the high-pressure water jet. This can leave you with intact clinker bricks but gaping holes in the joints.
Also of interest: How to Clean Concrete?
This is how you avoid problems!
- never work on ETIC systems with high-pressure cleaners
- do not hose down areas with cracks or holes
- only work on completely intact mortar joints
- check plaster for durability beforehand by tapping and adhesive tape test
- Thoroughly seal any open joints and cracks beforehand.
- Start with low pressure and increase very gradually.
Caution is not only the mother of china, but also of sensitive facades! Approach your cleaning project gradually and with sensitivity – and switch to other cleaning methods as soon as you have doubts.
