How to Pressure Wash a Retaining Wall
A stone retaining wall offers strength and beauty to any landscape. It can be used to create terraces for gardening as a way to prevent erosion. However, over time it can become dirty and stained. There are several different options to clean a stone retaining wall, and pressure washing is one of them.
Prep Work
Before you begin washing your wall, remove any pointing or render on it with either a hammer or an air compressor.
Pressure Cleaning
When using this method, stand back from the surface of the wall. This will give you a better idea of how the washer works before you start the job. You can move closer to ensure it gets cleaned thoroughly. Make sure you use the correct PSI on your wall if you do not want to damage it, so check it on a small area beforehand. Begin at the top of the wall and slowly work your way down. The best method is using a continuous movement, slowly going across the length of the wall toward the bottom of it. Stand back once you have washed the wall, and go over it a second time. Washing the wall again will remove any leftover debris from the surface. Start at the top and move the spray down as you move along the wall.
Garden Hose and Sturdy Broom
If you are not confident enough to use a pressure washer, or your retaining wall is not that dirty, try using a garden hose to wet the wall down and then scrub the debris away using a stiff brush or broom if your wall is large. You may have to scrub and rinse multiple times before the wall is completely clean.
If you would like to make an appointment to discuss a pressure washing project, please do not hesitate to contact JP Washing at (225) 323-4697 today! I’m happy to help if you live in the Baton Rouge, LA region.