A pressure wash can serve a valuable role in home maintenance. However, there are some things you shouldn’t use this cleaning tool. Pressure washing can do more harm than good.
Wood cladding
While it’s possible to pressure wash wood cladding correctly, you can also force water up and under the exterior surface if you use high pressure. From there, water can damage insulation and electrical wiring, and even spur mold growth. A high-powered pressure wash can also dent aluminum and vinyl cladding.
Electrical panels and meters
Even on the exterior of your home or in your yard, do not pressure wash fixtures housing electricity. Though built to withstand a rainstorm, pressure washing can force water into cracks and crevices, leading to damage and costly repairs.
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. Once you squeeze the trigger, the powerful recoil on the spray wand can throw you off balance and off a ladder.
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 shortens the life of the unit. If your air conditioner suddenly stops working, it might need a thorough (yet gentle!) clean, or it might be one of these issues.
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. Remember to always protect yourself during lead paint removal with a respirator. Lead paint can cause serious issues in children, like developmental adults, and is extremely dangerous when ingested in chips or dust. If your house was built before 1978, you should get your paint analyzed.
Old mortar
A pressure wash damages 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, and that can cause your walls to become unstable.
Living things
This one is a no-brainer (hopefully!). Never pressure wash humans, pets, or plants. The force of water coming from a pressure washer can cause physical harm. It can even penetrate the skin, and will most certainly destroy your plants.
Painted surfaces – that you want to stay painted
A pressure washes 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.
Windows
Don’t pressure wash windows! The high pressure can break them, causing you a major headache (and expense) to replace.
Vehicles
Using a high-pressure wash to clean your vehicle can actually cause 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, and never attempt to pressure wash under the hood! It could force water into cracks and crevices and cause serious damage.
Outdoor light fixtures
How many pressure washers does it take to wreck your backyard mood lighting? 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.
Gutters
Though tempting, you should never clean out the inside of your gutters with a pressure washer. It’s best to remove debris by hand, and then rinse the inside clean with a less intense flow of water. Gutters can withstand rainstorms, but not the extreme power of a pressure washer.