Pressure washing is great. Of course, our professional pressure washing team isn’t exactly unbiased, but it is. It’s a super-effective way to clean a wide variety of different surfaces that would otherwise require hours of manual scrubbing. But that doesn’t mean that you should power wash everything. In fact, there are some things that it would be downright dangerous to pressure wash.
In this post, we’re going to talk about a number of different things that you shouldn’t even think about pressure washing.
In no particular order, here are a number of things commonly found at residences around Long Island and the rest of the country that you wouldn’t want to pressure wash. If you did, the results could be disastrous.
Don’t Pressure Wash Asphalt Shingles
There are many roofs around America lined with asphalt shingles and if you’ve ever looked at them closely, you’ll notice that they’re lined with little granules. While they’re small and easy to miss, they are in fact very important in protecting the roof against damage. And they’re also the reason why pressure washing and asphalt roofs don’t mix. It’d remove these all-important granules.
Pressure washing up a ladder also isn’t the best idea…
Don’t Pressure Wash Electric Panels or Meters
Even though these things are always (or should be) encased in some pretty heavy-duty protective coverings, the fact is that they’re not designed to withstand the kind of water pressure they’d face if a pressure washer was aimed at them. So don’t do it! Pressure washing electric meters and the like could result in water getting inside, causing damage that is costly to repair.
Don’t Pressure Wash Walls with Old Mortar
You might think that you can point a pressure washer at any wall and it’d be fine. But that’s not the case. Older walls that are held together by old mortar can be seriously damaged by a pressure washer. You’re more likely to blow parts of the wall away than you are to clean it. And then you’ll have an unexpected repair cost to deal with.
Don’t Pressure Wash Porches or Other Painted Surfaces
Using a pressure washer on porches and other painted surfaces around the outside of your home can potentially be a bad idea. If the pressure is set too high, it will quite likely strip the paint right off your porch. And I’m sure that’s not the way you had planned on getting your porch to look clean. If you absolutely must use a pressure washer on these kinds of surfaces, make sure to set it to a lower pressure setting.
Don’t Pressure Wash Stained Wood
If you have some outdoor furniture sitting in your backyard, there’s a good chance that this one may apply to you. Wooden garden furniture needs to be stained to protect the wood from weather and pests – it’s very important for the preservation of your furniture. The problem with using a pressure washer on stained wood is that it will not be stained afterward. Water sprayed at high pressure will take the stain right off.
Don’t Pressure Wash Surfaces Coated in Lead Paint
If you have recently bought or live in an older property, it’s quite possible that the property may contain one or more walls that is covered in lead paint. Before 1970, it was widely used, but has subsequently been found to be highly toxic and can have a severe impact on your health. For that reason, it’s important that once lead paint is found, it is carefully removed, contained and then disposed of. Pressure washing doesn’t fit the bill! It’ll send fragments flying in all directions and it will then be very difficult to ensure you remove all traces of the lead paint.
Don’t Pressure Wash Guttering
Come on. Don’t be lazy. I know most of us like to take the easy option, but sometimes it can really come back to bite you! And this is likely to be the case when it comes to cleaning out guttering with a pressure washer. Yes, it’ll blow all of the debris out of there much quicker than you could remove it by hand, but it’ll also probably pull the gutter right off the house, possibly damaging your downspouts in the process. Not to forget, as mentioned earlier, that using a pressure washer while standing on a ladder is seriously dangerous!
Don’t Pressure Wash Your Garden Lights
I think you’ve probably spotted a recurring theme by now. Pressure washing and sensitive objects are not a good mix! It’s common sense when you think about it, but many do not find this out until it’s too late. Next time you’re tempted to give your outdoor light fixtures a “quick clean” think about broken glass, as that’s what happens next.
Call the Pressure and Power Washing Experts of Long Island
With over 20 years of industry experience, the pros at Majestic know exactly what can and cannot be cleaned with a pressure washer, and we know how to get the best results too. So forget worrying about the damage this type of cleaning might do to your property, and revel in the benefits. Our service will completely rejuvenate the outside of your home, boosting curb appeal and increasing your enjoyment of your personal space.
We offer a service that is completely tailored to your needs. To find out more or to book an appointment, contact our team by calling (631) 421-2295.