Power Washing
On many farms, a power washer is a useful machine for cleaning sheds, roofs etc.
A few helpful tips when using a power washer around a farm.
1) In areas with very dried dirt, wet the area to be washed thoroughly 2 days before you start just using a garden hose. Repeat the day before you start. This will soften a lot of hard muck.
2) If the dirt is proving very difficult to remove with the power washer, consider wetting the entire area and trying the following day. Waiting a few hours could potentially save you a lot of time, effort, water and fuel (or electricity).
3) Buy a washer that is rated to 3000 PSI
4) Use a turbo nozzle on the lance, they have been proven to be more efficient at lifting stubborn dirt.
5) Do not hold the nozzle too close to plastered walls, painted surfaces, etc., as the high pressure water jet could potentially damage them.
6) When washing machinery, avoid getting any electrical cables or components wet as they may be damaged by water. A steam cleaner may be more appropriate in this instance.
7) When working on roofs, follow the standard safety procedures for working at heights.
8) Do not use a power washer from a ladder, as the force of the water could cause the ladder to slip.
9) Take extra care on roofs with brittle roof lights installed. These will collapse under your weight.
10) If you are washing a yard or roof, work with the fall, not against it.
When not in use, store your Power Washer in your Farm Workshop or another locked building as they are a very popular item for thieves.
Farmipedia.ie is intended as a handy reference point for Irish farmers.
All information posted here is for your information, however Farmipedia.ie take no responsibility for anything posted on this site.
If you wish to return to the Farmipedia.ie homepage, click on the picture of the bull shown on the top left corner!