Home Power Equipment Pressure Washers
ByJenny Stanley
Updated: Jun. 15, 2024
A pressure wash can serve a valuable role in home maintenance, but don’t get carried away! Pressure washing can do more harm than good.
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Wood Siding
While it’s possible to pressure wash wood siding correctly, you can also force water up and under the exterior surface if your water pressure is set too high. If water gets under the siding it can damage insulation, electrical wiring, and even spur mold growth. A high-powered pressure wash could also dent aluminum and vinyl siding, so learn the proper techniques first if you plan on using a pressure washer to clean your siding.
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Electrical Panels and Meters
Do not pressure wash any fixtures housing electricity, even those on the exterior of your home or in your yard. Though built to withstand a rainstorm, pressure washing can force water into cracks and crevice and cause damage and costly repairs.
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Asphalt Shingles
Never pressure wash your roof if you have asphalt shingles. The water pressure strips away the granules that protect your roof. Not to mention, using a pressure washer in a high place is dangerous— when you squeeze the trigger the powerful recoil on the spray wand could throw you off balance and off a ladder.
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Air Conditioners
For cleaning your air conditioning unit, don’t reach for a pressure washer. The intense flow of water can bend or crush the delicate fins and restrict airflow, which in turn shortens the life of the unit. Instead, straighten cooling fins using a butter knife and use a vacuum and a much gentler water flow to rinse away debris.
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Lead Paint
Never remove lead paint with a pressure washer. Lead paint should be carefully contained when removed, not blasted into the air and surrounding surfaces. Don’t forget to check out these tips for pressure washer maintenance.
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Old Mortar
A pressure washer will damage weathered brick houses and other landscaping surfaces with mortar. Any loose material, especially on older structures, will be blasted away by pressure washing on a high setting. Instead of a pressure washer, use this method to clean hard water stains off of brick.
Also, here’s how to pressure wash your whole house so that the new coat of exterior paint will stick better and last longer.
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Living Things
This one is (hopefully) a no-brainer. Never pressure wash humans, pets, or plants. The force of water coming from a pressure washer can cause physical harm — even penetrate skin—and will most certainly destroy your plants.
When you pressure wash appropriate surfaces, always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from debris.
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Painted Surfaces That You Want to Stay Painted
A pressure wash will easily chips paint off most surfaces, so only use a low-pressure flow of water to wash painted items such as a porch floor or painted outdoor furniture.
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Windows
Don’t pressure wash windows! The high pressure can break them, giving you a major headache and an expensive window to replace. Instead, wash your windows the right way with these tried-and-true window washing tips from professionals.
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Vehicles
Using a high-pressure wash to clean your vehicle cancause small dents and even chip the paint, leaving it vulnerable to rust. If you do use a pressure washer to clean your car, always set it to a low-pressure setting. Find out the unusual uses for pressure washers.
And never, ever attempt to pressure wash under the hood! It could force water into cracks and crevices in your vehicle’s engine and cause serious damage.
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Family Handyman
Outdoor Light Fixtures
Though outdoor lighting can withstand rain and other weather elements, you should not pressure wash these fixtures. You’ll risk forcing water into cracks and causing damage. Learn how to install low-voltage outdoor lighting yourself.
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Gutters
Though tempting, you should never clean out the inside of your gutters with a pressure washer. It’s best to remove debris by handand then rinse the inside clean with a garden hose. Learn how to clean gutters without ladders.
Gutters can withstand rainstorms, but not the extreme power of a pressure washer. Choose this gutter cleaning tool instead of a pressure washer.
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Stained Wood
A pressure wash pulls stain right off wood surfaces. If stripping stain from your deck is the task you are trying to accomplish, then blast away! But if you intend to keep stains on wood, don’t use a pressure washer to clean it.
Originally Published: February 05, 2021
