A pressure washer is a great cleaning tool. It is very tempting to blast dirt and grime off anything around the house and yard to save time and effort. Some things should not be pressure washed. The possibility of damage is too great.
Pressure washers can generate over 5000 pounds per square inch (PSI) pressure. By comparison, your garden hose produces about 50 PSI. Pressure washers can bore holes in stucco, strip paint, and cause injuries. Be cautious when using a pressure washer. Here are some things to never pressure wash.
People, Pets, and Plants
Anything that cuts holes in stucco should never be aimed at living things. The pressure can tear skin and take out eyes in an instant. It will mangle and cut off flowers and plants as quickly as a string trimmer.
Asphalt Roofing
Pressure washing moss and dirt off the roof can also strip off the protective granules–causing leaks and deterioration. You can easily break off older brittle shingles and force water up under the shingles that may leak into the attic or grow mold. Leak and mold growth repairs are expensive and time-consuming.
Stucco and Siding
Dirt and dust readily adhere to stucco. It should be washed with soap and water, a bristle brush, and a garden hose. Pressure washing can knock off loose pieces and stone dash. The pressure also forces water through cracks and penetrations. If the spray is not moving constantly, it can drill holes through the stucco.
All siding is lapped to shed water. Pressure washers can force water under the siding and onto the wood framing. The bottom lip of vinyl and aluminum siding contains weep holes to allow condensation to escape. Washing from below sprays water through the holes and behind the siding. Spraying against the siding laps also forces water behind the siding.
Aluminum and fiber-cement siding have a paint finish that a pressure washer can strip off. Paint and stain can be stripped off wood siding–which is a benefit if you plan to repaint. Repairing damaged paint and stain is time-consuming, expensive, and rarely perfect.
The manufacturers of James Hardie fiber cement siding recommend not cleaning it with a pressure washer. It is one of the only ways to damage the product.
Stone and Brick Facades
Pressure washers don’t damage stone or brick unless they are cracked and loose. The water will blast out loose mortar. Bricks are porous and absorb moisture. Missing mortar allows water to be sprayed between the brick where it is more easily absorbed. Rain, snow, and pests get behind the stone and brick when mortar is missing.
Windows and Doors
Pressure washers can puncture and shatter glass. You can spray a lot of water into your home through a broken window in a very short time. The pressure can strip paint from window and door frames and force water through door seals and into improperly sealed wall cavities.
The force of the spray can knock off window putty–especially if it is dry and cracked. It may even damage rubber or foam seals–allowing air and water leaks.
Anything Electrical
Electrical meters, outdoor plugs, and light fixtures are designed to withstand nature’s wind, snow, and water–not the concentrated jet spray of a pressure washer. You may force water through cracks onto the wires which can short out the service, plug, or fixture.
Washing with a pressure washer can break glass covers, light bulbs, and plug covers. It may knock the entire light fixture off the wall. Solar lights are not more resistant. Puncturing the solar collector leads to buying a new fixture.
Air Conditioners and Generators
The spray from a pressure washer easily bends or crushes the cooling fins. Damaged fins do not dissipate hot air well–making the machine work harder, wasting energy, and shortening its lifespan. The pressure can also force water into electrical connections and wiring–causing malfunctions.
Pressure washers can cut through generator hoses and belts. Water can also be forced into electrical compartments, plugs, and fuses–making your generator inoperable when needed.
Patio Covers and Awnings
Pressure washer jet spray can tear and shred cloth awnings–especially older awnings that have deteriorated over time. The power of the spray can dent aluminum covers and peel off sealant.
Stained and Painted Surfaces
Most experts recommend pressure washing your deck, siding, and wood furniture before restaining or painting to completely remove all of the old product. Pressure washing is not a good idea for general cleaning. Stripped-off patches of paint or stain need to be repaired. The repaired sections detract from the overall look. If the damage is not repaired, the wood absorbs moisture and may grow mold.
Solar Panels
Pressure washing solar panels on your roof, motor home, or yard lights can void your warranty. It can also puncture the panels, detach panels, damage the frames, and spray water into the panels. Any of these cause the panels to quit working and waste money, time, and energy replacing them.
Vehicles
Pressure washers can dent vehicles. They can chip and remove paint and moldings. High pressure can force water around seals and into the vehicle and keyways. Spraying under the hood can cut hoses and belts, short out electrical connections, and damage radiator fins.
Some pressure washers claim to be safe to use on vehicles. This may be true under certain conditions–proper pressure setting, distance, and spray angle. Small changes in any of these can cause damage to the vehicle.
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