Fall is a great time to tidy up around the outside of your home, and pressure washers offer a powerful tool for an instant clean. But there are several things around the house that should never be pressure washed. Here’s a list:
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.
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.
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 air flow, which shortens the life of the unit.
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.
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.
