When it comes to deep-cleaning the exterior of your home, a pressure washer often seems like the perfect tool. It can quickly erase stains, peel off stubborn dirt, and do away with clingy debris on surfaces. However, not everything is built to withstand the intense power of a pressure washer. This blog post highlights 15 common household items and areas you should avoid pressure washing to prevent damage and costly repairs.
- Windows: Pressure washing windows, particularly those hard-to-reach second-floor ones, might seem convenient. However, the high-pressure spray can shatter delicate glass panes, leading to unnecessary window replacement and an interior mess.
- Electric Meters: Though housed in a sturdy metal casing, electric meters aren’t invincible to the high-pressure water jet. Water can infiltrate the narrow cracks, damaging the electrical system and leading to expensive repairs.
- Asphalt Shingles: Using a pressure washer on your roof can remove the granules from the asphalt shingles or even break them off completely. This can lead to roof leaks, causing problems like rot, structural damage, and mold inside the house.
- Gutters: While pressure washing may seem like a swift way to clean gutters, it can pull the gutter off the house or damage the downspout. It’s best to clean gutters manually and rinse them with a garden hose.
- Old Mortar or Brick: Pressure washers can cause significant damage to older, already chipped and crumbling mortar or bricks, leading to structural damage and exposing the interior of your home to weather conditions.
- Vehicles: Even slight changes in pressure washer distance or spray angle can cause dents, chip paint, and even force water into the engine, leading to rusting and costly repairs.
- Stained or Painted Surfaces: Pressure washing can strip paint or stain off surfaces. Avoid it unless you plan on repainting or restaining the surface.
- Light Fixtures: Outdoor light fixtures can’t handle the high-pressure water jet, which can break the glass panes or bulbs, remove the light fixture from its mount, or damage the internal electrical components.
- Air Conditioners: A pressure washer can bend or crush the delicate metal fins of an air conditioner, restricting airflow. It’s better to use a garden hose or vacuum and a soft brush for cleaning.
- Pools: Too much pressure on a cement pool can damage the plaster shell, causing leaks. For vinyl liners, even a small amount of pressure can lead to tears or pull the liner away from cut areas.
- Solar Panels: Pressure washing can damage the protective outer layer of the solar panel’s metal frame, cause the panes to detach, create moisture-allowing gaps, or even void the manufacturer’s warranty.
- Fiber Cement Siding: Power washing can damage the tough surface of fiber cement siding. Use a low-pressure hose and a medium bristle brush for cleaning instead.
- Awnings and Patio Shades: High-pressure water blasts can tear the fabric of awnings and patio shades. Use a mix of mild soap and bleach with a low-pressure garden hose for cleaning these fabrics.
- Generators: The high-pressure spray can cut through hoses, belts, and other components inside a generator. Use a compressor to blow off dust and dirt, then wipe it down with a rag and a little degreaser.
- Outdoor Furniture: Popular outdoor fabric manufacturers advise against using pressure washers. It’s best to stick to gentle cleaning methods for your outdoor furniture to keep it in good shape for longer.
Remember, a pressure washer is a powerful tool. It’s important to know when and where to use it to avoid causing unnecessary damage to your property. That’s where we come in. We can clean everything on this list! We just use gentler, safer methods to protect your property. Give us a call for a free quote at (479) 222-1336. And stay tuned for more cleaning and maintenance tips for your home exterior!
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