14 Things You Should Never Clean With a Pressure Washer

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Pressure washer are invaluable tools for removing graffiti , soil , and other gravel - on junk from surfaces , but there are some situations in which these ambition cleaning machines should not be used . clear , you ’ll want avoid imperativeness lave thing like like people , creature , and plants , but there are many surprising objects around the home — some of which you ’ve belike pressure washed in the past — that can be damage by a gamey - pressure supply of body of water .

Sensitive electrical and mechanically skillful system of rules — like air conditioners and outdoor light — can also be compromised if they ’re spray with strength . Before you begin spring clean with your pressure sensation washer in tow , it ’s of import to eff which things on your holding you should wash in some other way .

close up of a man in blue overalls pressure washing pavement

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1. Windows

commit thewindows a prompt washwith the pressure automatic washer may seem like a great idea , especially when you regard how difficult it can be to reach windows on the second floor , but fragile panes of methamphetamine ca n’t defy up to the high - pressure sensation nebuliser bring on by the pressure washing machine . The current of water is more probable to blow out the glass than clean thewindow , leaving you with at least one windowpane to supercede and a big mussiness of piddle and ice to clean up inside .

2. Electric Meters

Electric meterstypically have a solid metal case and a sheer glass or plastic cover over the fount of the meter . While the case keeps the meter safe from rain , sleet , and snow , it can be vulnerable to the eminent - pressure stream develop by a pressure sensation automatic washer . The big businessman produced by the pressure washer can squeeze water through the narrow cracks and crevices , do harm to the incoming electrical organization and resulting in costly repairs .

3. Asphalt Shingles

Using the pressure automatic washer on a roof with mineral pitch shingles can potentially damage the roof and cause leak . The high pee pressure actually removes the granules from the asphaltshinglesand can go against or completely polish off shingles if the roof is older . Leaks in the roof make problems throughout the house , including rot , structural damage , and mold , which can be introduced into the heating and cooling scheme , feign the wellness of anyone living in the nursing home .

4. Gutters

Cleaning out the guttersis not fun for most people , so it may be tantalising to speed up the project by using the powerfulness of a pressure sensation washing machine to remove build - up dirt , filth , and clumps or leave-taking . However , this is n’t a upright estimation . A press washer is too powerful and could pull the gutter off the theatre or induce damage to the downspout . It ’s better to clean house the debris out of the gutters by hand and then use agarden hoseto rinse the inside of the gutter .

5. Old Mortar or Brick

insistence washer are ideal forcleaning concretepatios and paving stones . They also can be used at a dispirited pressure setting on Modern brick . However , when the brick and mortar on the outside of the menage is chipped and tumble , a air pressure washer will only cause problems . The powerful flow of piss can pull mortar out of the wall and rationalise into old brick , result in significant structural equipment casualty and divulge the interior of a home to outdoor weather consideration .

6. Vehicles

Some pressure automatic washer are commercialize as worthy for vehicles , and this can be on-key if the washer is put to a low pressure setting . However , it ’s advised to totally avoid using a pressure automatic washer on a fomite because thin alteration in distance from the vehicle or in the angle of the spray can induce lasting damage , like dents and chips in the paint that leave the vehicle vulnerable to rusting . The power of the spray also can ram water system into the gap and crevices on the fomite ’s railway locomotive , leading to expensive repairs .

7. Stained or Painted Surfaces

The herculean stream of water produced by a pressing washer is great forstripping paintfrom metal turnout or stain from a wood deck . In fact , it ’s advised topressure lave a deckbefore applying a new coat of discolouration to decent prepare the open . If you do n’t need to chip , Robert Peel , or otherwise damage the stain or paint , deflect using a pressure washer on stained or painted surfaces .

8. Light Fixtures

out-of-door light regular , like lamppost lights andporch lights , are made to resist rain , sleet , Baron Snow of Leicester , ice , and eminent winds , but they are n’t design to deal with the herculean horizontal stream of H2O that comes out of a press washer . The high - pressure flow of piddle can break any glass dot or medulla and may whole remove the light fixture from its mount . If the force does n’t put down the fix , the piddle may still seep in through the cracks and damage the internal electric component part .

9. Air Conditioners

The metal boxwood that house anair conditionerhelps to protect delicate metal fins that help disperse the heating plant from the unit of measurement . While a pressure washing machine would quickly remove dirt and debris from the exterior of the air conditioner , it also can bend or crush the pentad , restrict airflow through the unit . Instead , use a garden hosiery or vacuum and a flabby brush to gently clean between the fins , and save the pressure washing machine for the drive .

10. Pools

While you might be tempted to clean off any algae or stains from your pool walls with a pressure automatic washer , it ’s not a good melodic theme . Using too much insistency on a cement pool can damage the plaster of Paris shell , stimulate passing water . If you have a vinyl liner , even a small amount of press is enough to tear holes where the ocean liner is brittle or cause the liner to draw away from cut sphere , such as around Panama hat and return . In fact , even just draining yourswimming poolcan price it . A better option is to keep the water in the pool and utilize chemical methods , brush , orrobotic pool cleanersto get your pocket billiards clean .

11. Solar Panels

The long reach of the pressure washer would seemingly make it a great tool for wash dirt offsolar board . It ’s not . While a pressing washing machine works well for clean other parts of your home ’s exterior , it can easily damage the delicate components of a solar control board . The high - air pressure water can ruin the protective out stratum of the metal frame or even cause the panes to detach from the underframe , creating crack that can allow moisture to get inside . In fact , mightiness washing your solar panels could even vitiate the maker ’s warrantee .

12. Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber cement sidingis one of the baffling turnout choice you’re able to choose for a home . There are few thing that can damage it , and power washing materialise to be one of them . James Hardie , one of the top manufacturers of cement board turnout , advises against power washing , as it can damage the open . Instead , the company send word using a low - pressure hose and a medium bristle brush to cleanHardie add-in siding .

13. Patio Shades and Awnings

Yes , awnings and terrace ghost can withstand the elements , but they are n’t design to endure mellow - pressing blast of water . Using a pressure washer on apatio awningor shade can cause the fabric to tear . You also should n’t subject outdoor piece of furniture to in high spirits - pressure weewee . democratic outdoor fabric manufacturers such asSunbrellaalso send word against using a atmospheric pressure washer to scavenge their production . alternatively , apply a mixing of mild liquid ecstasy and blanching agent with a low-down - pressure sensation garden hosiery to clean these outdoor fabrics .

14. Generators

Whilegeneratorsare built to stand up up to ambitious atmospheric condition condition so you do n’t have to go without business leader , they are n’t indestructible . Using a mogul washer to pick a author can do important wrong . That ’s because the eminent - insistency spray can cut through hoses , belt ammunition , and other components inside the author . Instead of clean ageneratorwith a power washing machine , use a compressor to blow off any dust and dirt , and then pass over it down with a rag and a little degreaser .

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