A power wash can be a valuable appliance in your home as it helps in improving your home’s appeal, but it can also be dangerous to some things. So, make sure you are not carried away with what you can do with your power washer. Power washing involves spraying high water pressure to surfaces to remove chewing gum, loose paint, dirt, mold, dust, algae, mud, and grime from various surfaces. These include billings, some cars, concrete surfaces, masonry, and asphalt surfaces like patios and driveways. Power-washing is an ideal cleaning method. Heated water cleans better. You can power wash some things with additional chemicals like citric acid, baking soda, detergents, vinegar, and disinfectants. You can also use the heavy-duty option of a washer to clean larger areas like long driveways. The appliance can also be used when you have extreme dirt like grease or moss build-up. Heated water helps to loosen up grime stuck on surfaces. What’s more, hot water kills moss and mold and prevents their quick growth. You can also do a power wash on hard surfaces that can withstand high pressure and heat. If you are wondering what to power wash and what not to, you should try talking to power-washing experts. They will help determine surfaces in your home that are safe and unsafe for power-washing. The article has combined a list of the things that you should never power wash to avoid damages.
Electrical Panels and Meters
You should never power wash fixtures housing electricity even if they are found on your home’s exterior or yards like electrical panels and meters. These fixtures are designed to withstand different climatic conditions, including rainstorms, but power-washing can cause cracks and crevices in the panels leading to damages and expensive repairs.
Air Conditioners
While washing your home, avoid power-washing your air conditioning unit. The high water pressure flowing from the power washer can destroy by crushing and bending the delicate fins which will then restrict the airflow. As a result, water may seep into your AC unit and mess with the electrical circuit. When the pressure washer damages your Ac unit’s electrical circuit, it renders your unit functionless. Therefore, you need to steer clear of your AC when power-washing as it shortens the life of your unit. You can use a butter knife to straighten your cooling fins and use a vacuum and gentle water to clean dust and debris off your appliance.
Old Mortar
A power washer will damage landscaping surfaces with old mortar and weathered bricks. The intense water flow will strip or blast away granules and other loose materials like loose bricks on older buildings causing damage to the structures. Instead o a pressure washer, you can use other gentler cleaning techniques to remove debris, hard water stains, and algae from these surfaces.
Stained Wood
It is advisable to avoid power-washing wood surfaces like outdoor furniture. The high pressure and heat from the power washer pull stains off the wood surfaces. If your intention is to take out stains from these surfaces, then power-washing is ideal. But if you intend to maintain the stains on your wood, you should consider other cleaning methods with a soft touch and gentle on the wood.
Wood Siding
Although you can power wash wood siding properly, setting the water pressure higher can force water under the exterior surface. If water accumulates below the wood siding, it can cause damage to your insulation and electrical wiring. It could also accelerate mold growth. In addition, the high-powered water could cause dents on vinyl and aluminum siding. So, if you are planning on using a power wash to clean your siding, you need to learn the proper techniques that would not result in damages.
Asphalt Shingles
If your roof has asphalt shingles, you should never power wash it. The high pressure of power-washing strips away granules that protect your roof from the asphalt roof. What’s more, the high pressure will blast away shingles increasing risks of water damage and costly repair issues. Using a power washer in high areas can also be dangerous. When you press the trigger, the spray’s powerful recoil could throw you off balance and cause you to fall on the ground. It is essential for you to talk to a professional power washer who will teach you the best techniques for washing high places. Additionally, they will distinguish safe parts on and around your roof that you can power wash.
Lead Paint
Another thing that you should not remove using a power washer is lead paint. Lead paint requires careful containment after you remove it since it is highly toxic. Lead paint poses a lot of danger to humankind so it should be avoided. However, power-washing will blast the paint sending particles into the air and surrounding environment. Moreover, pressure washing lead paint can damage or crack the paint.
Painted Surfaces That Should Remain Painted
You should not pressure wash surfaces that you want to remain painted. High-pressure water easily chips off paint from surfaces. So, if you want your outdoor furniture and porch floor to stay painted, you should consider using low-pressure water.
Vehicles
Are you thinking of power washing your car? If yes, you should refrain from it. Using high-pressure water on your auto can chip off paint from your vehicle causing it to rust. Further, it can cause small dents on the car’s body. If you are considering using a power washer, make sure the pressure setting is lower. Not to mention, pressure washing under the hood could force water entry through the cracks and crevices into your car engine leading to severe damages. It is recommended to wash your auto by hand using a soft cloth and water to minimize the risk of damages and dents.
Living Things
Even though it seems obvious, it is worth mentioning that you can never power wash living things including humans, plants, and animals. High-pressure water and heat coming from the washer have a greater force that can physically harm living things or even penetrate human skin and cause injuries. The force can also destroy plants or cause them to die.
Outdoor Light Fixtures
Outdoor lighting fixtures are designed to withstand rainfall and other weather elements, but pressure washing them could damage them. The high-pressure water could force water into cracks and cause damage to the fixtures.
Windows
Do not power wash your windows. The high pressure from the machine could break glass windows and send the glass pieces flying in the air. As a result, it could cause a dangerous situation whereby the pieces of glass may enter your eyes or injure other people around. Furthermore, it could be expensive to repair a broken window. You can wash your windows and other glass surfaces using other safer options.
Gutters
Most individuals are often tempted to power wash the inside of their gutters. Though gutters can withstand storms, they cannot tolerate the powerful pressure of cleaning with pressure washing. A pressure washer could make your gutters lose from your property or it could damage your gutters. There are several ways you can clean your gutters without risking damage. These include physically removing debris by hand inside the gutters and then rinsing with a garden hose. Also, you can buy an inexpensive gutter cleaning tool or a plumbing snake. Alternatively, you can hire professional gutter cleaning services in your area to help clean your gutters.
Old Things
You should never pressure wash anything old, whether it is furniture, wood structures, or decks. Old things may have dry rot that will disintegrate under extremely high pressure. Thus, if you wish to clean old objects, you should use other techniques.
Hiring Professionals to Help with Power Washing
You can use a power washer to clean various exterior surfaces in and around your home including shutters, garages, decks, patios, driveways, and doors. However, power washers may be unsafe for some things. Reading this article will give you insights into what you should not clean using the appliance. Some individuals prefer to do things on their own to save time and money. If you are the kind for do-it-yourself, you can rent a commercial power washer machine instead of buying one to help clean extensive areas. Alternatively, it is better to hire professional services by searching for pressure cleaning near me. Long island pressure washing professionals serving long island, Nassau County, Suffolk county and new york residents have broad experience in using power washers so they will know how to clean to achieve a curb appeal. Moreover, they will know the best cleaning techniques to prevent damage on your surfaces or leave cleaning marks that destroy the items’ appearance. A power washer in the hands of an untrained person could get damaged or even hurt themselves. While it may not seem harmful, the thin water steam has a great force that could send concrete chips flying around. Competent experts will also know the crucial precautions to take when cleaning with pressure washing. These include covering electrical outlets, wearing a face shield and safety goggles when spraying, and maintaining a specific distance from the surface you are washing. A reliable company like Long island power washing will be highly trained and fully licensed to use an ultra-modern power machine that will protect your investments. If you are looking for long island pressure washing services, we have got you covered. We serve clients in Long Island, New York, Suffolk County, and Nassau county. Simply search check out our website at aboveallpressurecleaning.com.