Hi!

I am going to be getting an older mobile home,
and wondered if a power washer will be the
way to go to clean the exterior before painting,
or if I may create problems using one, especially
on vinyl siding or on skirting? B

 

Welcome to the forums Brenda

A pressure washer can be a great tool if used properly but can cause a lot of damage if used improperly. This is especially true on MHs or vinyl siding. Underpinning would have to be very secure/stiff before I would even consider washing it with a pressure washer.

When pressure washing you need to pay special attention around windows and doors. If they don't seal tightly water can be forced past the opening You never want to wash in an up direction on lap siding for the same reason.

Most MHs can be adequately washed using a pump up garden sprayer [with a bleach solution - maybe detergent] and rinsing with a garden hose. A second treatment or hand scrubbing will take care of any stubborn areas.

 

Clean a section at a time. Wet surface of the section first. Apply solution with pump sprayer as indicated and scrub with long-handled brush or dip the brush into bucket of cleaning solution and scrub. Rinse with water hose. Starting at bottom of section to be cleaned tends to prevent streaking.