As a homeowner, there are few things more satisfying than pressure-washing the grime away from the nooks and crannies of our property, particularly seeing a patio or driveway melt from a mildewy mess into something a little more pristine.
As an added benefit, a pressure washer is much more water efficient than your typical garden hose, using roughly 1.5-2.5 gallons per minute (GPM) compared to the 10.5-plus GPM of an average half-inch garden hose.
While it can be tempting to take that pressure washer to anything you can reach, not everything should be hit with 2,500 psi of water pressure. Below is a list of outdoor items to avoid pressure washing:
1. Exterior siding. While it is both possible and common to pressure wash siding, doing it improperly will force water up under the siding, potentially damaging building components underneath and fostering mold growth. If you don’t want to break out the bucket and scrub brush, either hire a professional for this task, or check out the tips in the article linked below to accomplish this job safely.
2. Never aim pressure washers directly at your windows, as the high power can crack or fully break your window. Rags and some streak-free cleaner will do the trick.
3. Electrical panels/meters. While they are built to withstand our summer storms, pressure washing this equipment can force water into the device’s crevices and damage the electrical work inside. This rule also applies to outdoor lighting fixtures. Both should be cleaned by hand.
4. Roof shingles. Pressure washing your roof will blast away the protective granules that coat your shingles and make them weather resistant. Let Mother Nature do the work for you here.
5. Outdoor AC units. There is delicate metal grill work on the outside of these units that protects the components inside while allowing airflow. Taking a high-power washer to the unit can bend the grillwork, constricting airflow. Break out the garden hose here instead to wash away grime and debris and keep your unit operating smoothly.
6. Never use a pressure washer to clean your plants (or any living thing for that matter) as it will damage or kill them. Again, Mother Nature and the good old garden hose are your best tools here.
Click here for tips from the Family Handyman on selecting the right pressure washer and best uses for your home.
You can learn more home maintenance tips in our Habitat U Home Maintenance 101 class. Learn more here.
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