Cleaning your house with a pressure washer can make cleaning chores – and your life – a whole lot simpler. It instantly removes dirt, dust, and filth from your home without taking too much of your time. There are, however, some areas of your home that should stay away from the pressure washer. The following are the five areas of your home that could be damaged by pressure washing.
1. Asphalt Shingles
If you pressure wash asphalt shingles, the granules could be removed from your roof. These granules are essential because they protect your roof from harsh weather conditions and ultraviolet rays from the sun. If they are removed, this will result in costly repairs and potential water damage. It’s also very dangerous to use a pressure washer from a high vantage point, as the intense recoil from the spray wand when you squeeze the trigger can knock you off a ladder.
2. Windows
When you use a power washer on windows, the intense pressure can break them and send glass flying, which can be expensive to replace and can cause serious injuries to those who are near the windows. Instead, consult with the home cleaning pros on how to clean your windows properly.
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3. Gutters
Rainstorms may be a match for gutters, but pressure washers are not. Cleaning your gutters with high pressure might damage your fascia and potentially knock your gutters loose from the house. Alternatively, your gutters can be easily cleaned with a garden hose and a cheap plumbing snake, or you can hire a local gutter cleaning service. Despite the temptation, you should never use a pressure washer to clean the inside of your gutters. It’s better to remove debris by hand and clean the inside with a garden hose.
4. AC Units
The powerful water flow of a pressure washer can bend or crush the delicate metal fans in your air conditioning unit. This also allows water to seep into the AC unit, causing the electrical circuit to be disrupted. The consequences of these mishaps are restricted airflow and the shortening of the unit’s life. You will have to replace the AC unit entirely, which can be expensive.
5. Lead Paint
Lead paint is another surface that can be extremely dangerous to pressure wash. Pressure washing lead paint can damage, crack, and remove the paint, releasing harmful particles into the air. The fumes emitted by lead paint are extremely toxic and should be avoided at all costs.