Given their tremendous power, there are a lot of items you shouldn't pressure wash. Pressure washers greatly increase the pressure of the water that comes out of the hose. To give context, a normal garden hose delivers water at a rate of 50 pounds per square inch (psi), but a pressure washer operates at between 1500 and 4000 psi. When used on the right type of surfaces, pressure washers can safely remove persistent stains and dirt in the blink of an eye of eyes.
Air conditioning units have small and delicate parts, such as the fins that a pressure washer uses can crush or bend these parts, causing the unit to malfunction or shorten its overall lifespan. Electric meters have housings, usually made of glass or plastic. While these covers are designed to protect against extreme weather conditions, they may not be able to withstand the energy that comes from a pressure washer. Using a pressure washer on an electrical meter can cause water to enter the electrical system.
Lead paint is dangerous and must be carefully removed by a professional. A pressure washer can send pieces of lead paint into the air, without you being able to control where they fall. If the mortar or brick is old, a pressure washer can remove loose pieces and cause them to wear out sooner than they should, leaving your home vulnerable. You can pressure wash the brick itself, but you should only do it at a very low pressure and try not to go over the mortar. If you have very dirty or dirty bricks, leave the work to a professional.
If you use a water pressure higher than 2000 PSI, you should wear a full face shield at 4000 PSI, as a jet of water can easily pass through the skin. Always wear sturdy, waterproof gloves and rubber boots with metatarsal protectors. If you work with hot water, make sure that your gloves are insulated. While it's possible to properly pressure wash wood paneling, you can also force water up and down the outer surface if the water pressure is too high.
If water gets under the coating, it can damage insulation, electrical wiring, and even stimulate mold growth. A high-power pressure wash could also damage aluminum and vinyl siding, so first learn proper techniques if you plan to use a pressure washer to clean the coating. Never pressure wash your ceiling if you have asphalt shingles. Water pressure removes the granules that protect the roof.
Not to mention that using a pressure washer in a high place is dangerous when you pull the trigger, as the powerful recoil of the spray rod could cause you to lose your balance and fall down a ladder. Never remove lead paint with a pressure washer. Lead paint must be carefully contained when removed, it should not spread to the air or surrounding surfaces. Don't forget to check out these tips for maintaining pressure washers. Yes, it's obvious, but unfortunately, some people harm themselves or others every year by being irresponsible with a pressure washer.
They are dangerous tools when misused. That high-pressure spray can lacerate arms and legs, cut toes, blind someone and, unfortunately, can harm or kill small animals. Be careful and never spray living things with a pressure washer. Using a pressure washer to clean a pool cuts work time by half or more if your backup plan was to brush stains with the pool pole attachment.
While outdoor lighting can withstand rain and other weather elements, you shouldn't pressure wash these lamps.
Pressure washing
a water fountain is not only something anyone can do, but it can also increase the aesthetic appeal of your property. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which focuses on keeping people healthy, omits the do's and don'ts and points out risks and precautions when using a pressure washer. In addition, using a pressure washer while working on a ladder is very dangerous, since when the wand falls you could easily lose your balance. Although designed to withstand a storm, the pressure washer can cause water to enter cracks and crevices, causing damage and costly repairs.Fiber cement coatings are becoming increasingly popular due to their remarkable durability, but they are not strong enough to withstand the energy of a pressure washer, which can damage the surface of the coating. Even large historic monuments are pressure washed from time to time, so it's never a bad idea to restore historic monuments to your property from time to time. Just follow the steps in that guide and make sure to disconnect sensitive electrical components before you start cleaning. Cleaning clogged gutters is a long and laborious task, but it's not something you should speed up with the help of a pressure washer.
But what if the owner of a pressure washer makes an internal list of do's and don'ts as a good safety exercise? Perhaps the entire team could contribute to drawing up a list during a security session. With a little creativity, there are dozens of uses of pressure washers that you probably haven't considered before. Pressure cleaning will easily remove paint from most surfaces, so only use a low-pressure flow of water to wash painted objects, such as a porch floor or painted outdoor furniture. Be very careful if you plan to do it and learn how to properly pressure wash the ceiling by following the steps in the guide.
