What should you not power wash?

Never pressure wash humans, pets, or plants. The force of the water coming from a pressure washer can cause physical damage, even penetrating the skin, and will undoubtedly destroy your plants. When pressure washing appropriate surfaces, always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from dirt. You should not pressure wash asphalt roof shingles, as this would remove the granules that protect the roof.

In addition, pressure can cause shingles to fall and cause repair problems and possibly water damage. A professional pressure wash technician will be able to distinguish the areas of the roof and its surroundings that are safe for pressure washing, as well as the best techniques for getting the job done. Another surface that you shouldn't pressure wash is lead paint. Lead paint should not be pressure washed, as it can damage, crack and peel the paint, sending particles into the air and surrounding area.

Lead paint is highly toxic and dangerous; it should be avoided whenever possible and you should not pressure wash these surfaces. Worn brick walls and old mortar can be damaged by pressure washing, as they can peel away granules and any other loose material and cause further damage to the surface. Avoid old mortar and loose bricks with pressure washers and instead use a more gentle cleaning method to remove algae, dirt and debris from these surfaces. Are you thinking of pressure washing a vehicle? Don't do this; pressure washing your vehicle can cause small dents and chips in the paint, which can lead to rust.

Use a soft cloth and wash your vehicles by hand for optimal results and reduce the chance of dents, dents or damage. Using a high-pressure washer on windows can break windows and cause glass to blow up. Don't create a dangerous situation or broken glass; avoid pressure washing windows or other glass surfaces. Avoid using high pressure to clean the gutters, as it can damage the fascia and even cause the gutters to come loose from the structure of the house.

They can be easily cleaned with a garden hose and inexpensive plumbing, or talk to a local professional about gutter cleaning services. Fall Tasks You Shouldn't Ignore When you shop through the retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. A pressure washer does a quick and satisfying job of removing dirt. Whether you're cleaning your hallways or removing old paint from a terrace, nothing compares to the unbridled power of these machines.

But a pressure washer isn't the right tool for every job, and it's easy to get carried away. Composite covers from brands such as TimberTech and Trex tend to resist deep stains and are well cleaned with a light scrub and then rinsed off with a garden hose. But if that's not enough, check the terms of the warranty to make sure that pressure washing doesn't void it. Covers made of South American hardwoods, such as ipe, cumaru and tiger wood, will withstand pressure washing perfectly.

Those that are made of pressure-treated wood, usually southern yellow pine, a soft wood, are also fine, as long as you don't hold the nozzle too close. Consult the owner's manual to confirm what nozzle and fit the manufacturer recommends for the cover and how far from the surface it should be fastened. Generally speaking, it's best to start with a low-pressure nozzle in an inconspicuous place to ensure that the spray doesn't etch or mark the wood. Once you find the right nozzle, fit, and distance, work along the board, following the grain of the wood.

As tempting as it may be to remove unsightly moss and algae, using a pressure washer to clean the ceiling is dangerous, not to mention it can harm. We never recommend using a pressure washer while sitting on a ladder, as recoil could throw you out of balance. The powerful jet of water can also loosen roof tiles and, if the shingles are made of asphalt, it can remove embedded granules that help extend the life of the roof. A lot of people use a pressure washer to clean their car, but it can do more harm than good.

Using a pressure washer can damage or damage the paint, which could lead to rust. Usually, a car wash will do the job, as will a garden hose and soapy sponge. Use some elbow grease and a specialized wheel cleaner on wheels and other problem spots. Concrete driveways (and walkways) can easily withstand powerful cleaning without etching.

In general, a thinner nozzle will be more effective at cleaning greasy stains. For mold or mildew, use lower pressure and cover the surface with foam first. Wood clapboard siding can also be washed effectively, but if your house was built before 1978, have your exterior paint tested first by a lead remediation specialist authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency. If you drop the old lead paint, it will be permanently deposited in the soil, where children playing outside can kick it up or it can be dragged into the house.

Whatever material is pressure washed, be sure to prevent water from getting trapped between the siding and the siding of your home, as moisture promotes mold. Repair or replace loose, damaged, or missing linings, and take special care not to spray water directly into the gaps around doors, windows, or under the overlapping joints of lining ducts. Do not pressure wash the lining of the shingles, as pressure can loosen them. If the pressure washer comes with a red 0 degree nozzle, discard it.

The next size, a 15-degree nozzle, will serve for detail work, such as removing moss from the grooves between the pavers. And always wear hearing protection, safety goggles, and protective footwear and gloves while working. We measure how long it takes each pressure washer to remove paint from painted plastic panels. The shorter the time, the greater the pressure output.

And since almost all pressure washers make a lot of noise, you'll need earplugs or earmuff headphones to use them. We also evaluate the noise levels of each machine. Regardless of the model's performance, CR recommends only those that don't include a 0-degree nozzle, which we believe represents an unnecessary safety risk for users and bystanders. As a classically trained chef and DIY enthusiast, I've always valued having the best tool for a job, whether it's dicing onions for mirepoix or hanging drywall.

When I'm not writing about household products, I can be found putting them to the test, often with the help of my two young children, in the 1860s house that I'm restoring in my spare time. In general, you should not pressure wash materials that are painted. In addition, asphalt roofs, electrical boxes, outdoor lighting, your outdoor air conditioning unit, old mortar, grout and windows. Also, take care of your pressure by cleaning your car and engine, bicycles, old plastic, and other soft materials.

Do you like having the shingles placed on your roof, as opposed to the neighbor's yard? Do you want to jump off a ladder, like one of those water-propelling acrobats? Then you definitely shouldn't drag the pressure washer to the roof. Pressure washing the ceiling is a dangerous idea that should never be attempted, as it is a catastrophe of damage and trouble about to occur. Unless you want to see your shingles shooting from the roof like deadly frisbees, you're much better off avoiding the high-pressure power of a pressure washer. Instead, you should use a spray pump and scrubber (if necessary) to remove any build-up of moss, algae, or discoloration on the roof.

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