How to Pressure Wash Your Pole Barn

The Importance of Cleaning the Outside of Your Barn

Property owners have preferred using pole barns on their properties for the last 100 years. Pole barns are not just popular structures for farmers but also for business owners and homeowners wanting additional space for their inventory or storage. Their spaciousness makes them suitable for many purposes, such as a horse stable, workplace, storage area, etc.

Pole barns aren’t that expensive and can be installed onto properties quickly. However, they have specific cleaning and maintenance requirements to ensure they stay durable and aesthetically pleasing. That is why pressure washing your pole barn is a good idea because it is the best way to keep it clean.

Should you clean your pole barn yourself? A professional pressure washing service is recommended to ensure the structure is cleaned thoroughly and safely, but it can be a DIY job as well. Pressure washing is the best way to remove rust, dirt, grime, mildew, mold, salt deposits, and other debris elements and particles from your pole barn. If you have your pole barn pressure washed periodically, you’ll be able to continue using it for many years without any issues. 

Preparing to Pressure Wash

Please pick up all loose objects from the ground and other locations in the pole barn and place them somewhere else away from the barn. If there are bushes, shrubs, or other plant life nearby, it is best to drape a tarp over them beforehand. Since the pressure washer contains detergent, you don’t want the detergent to get onto your plants accidentally.

In addition, turn off your circuit breakers and cover up anything electrical, such as your utility boxes, lighting devices, and electrical outlets. Then you can have peace of mind knowing that you won’t risk an electrical fire at your barn.

Lastly, remove all visible debris and spider webs with a broom or another long object. Perhaps pre-soaking the pole barn with ordinary water may help prepare it for a more thorough cleaning. A light spray using a garden hose or a low setting on a pressure washer should do the trick. 



How to Use the Pressure Washer

Now is the time to increase the pressure of the washer equipment. But first, put some detergent into the device to mix with the water before it comes out. Make sure you use a good detergent compatible with your pressure washer.

It is critical not to use too much water pressure because it could slightly damage the pole barn or strip paint away from the sides. However, it could even cause more severe damage if the pressure is too high. That is why it is safer to have a professional pressure washing service handle the job for you. Professional cleaners will know which pressure settings are appropriate for cleaning your pole barn without damaging anything.

A pole barn should be pressure washed at least once every six months, but probably more in some cases. It depends on the weather conditions and activities at the pole barn. Start with a low-medium pressure level to pressure wash the top and bottom sections of the pole barn structure. Once finished, use a freshwater spray to remove the detergent from the areas you just cleaned. 



Call a Professional?

DIY pressure washing should only be done if you have experience at pressure washing your pole barn or other sensitive structures. Otherwise, call a professional to assist you.

The inside and outside of your pole barn must get cleaned regularly. Not only will it preserve the lifespan of your pole barn, but it’ll also maintain the safety of your livestock if you have any in the barn.