7 Things You Can Wash With A Pressure Washer

A pressure washer is a helpful tool to clean outdoor surfaces and items with minimal elbow grease. Pressure washers utilize a water pump that can be powered by electricity or gas to push out water to such a degree that dirt, debris, mildew, and more can be whisked away. Adjusting the pressure level, the nozzle, cleaning solutions, and even your proximity to the item you’re cleaning can influence its efficacy as well as increase or decrease the potential for cleaning-related damage. To ensure you put your pressure washer to use safely and effectively, there are certain considerations to keep in mind particularly when it comes to knowing what surfaces are safe for this kind of heavy-duty cleaning.

Benefits of Using a Pressure Washer

Using a pressure washer can benefit you, your home, and your family on a variety of levels.

• Easy to Use: There’s relatively little elbow grease required when using a pressure washer. In this circumstance, you’re letting the water pressure do all the work.
• Better for the Environment: Another benefit of allowing your pressure washer to tackle some of the toughest cleaning jobs is you’re able to avoid harsh chemicals when you decide to forgo a cleaning solution and instead simply rely on the muscle of your handy machine.
• Curb Appeal: Whether you’re cleaning your porch, driveway, front walkway, siding, or more, giving your home a good pressure washing can have curb appeal benefits that are immediately visible after the very first run.
• Home Maintenance: Keeping bacteria, mildew, and dirt away from your home can have not only visible benefits but ones that affect the health of your family as well. Keeping the exterior of your home clean can promote good hygiene in your living space, from the outside in. 

Safety Precautions

Pressure washers are powerful tools, but harnessing that energy in a safe way is an important consideration.

• Wear proper safety clothing including closed-toed shoes (preferably rubber boots), goggles, and gloves.
• Only pressure wash safe surfaces and materials and test a small area before committing.
• Never use gas models indoors and be sure electric models that require extension cords are safe for wet conditions.
• If you opt to use a cleaning solution, only use ones approved by your machine’s manufacturer.
• Ensure the pressure washer is on a flat surface while in use.
• Remove any leftover water before storing your pressure washer.

Surfaces You Can Clean with a Pressure Washer

Wooden Surfaces

Not all wood surfaces are safe for pressure washing. Check your fence, deck, or furniture’s warranty before embarking on your cleaning journey as pressure washing might void some warranties. According to Consumer Reports, South American hardwoods and pressure-treated woods are typically okay for pressure washing. Just be sure to hold the nozzle at a safe distance from the surface and start with a lower psi to ensure you don’t damage the material. After you find the right distance and pressure settings, work with the grain of the wood. For smaller items like furniture, be sure it has a sturdy hold and won’t budge when the water hits it.

Vinyl Surfaces

Vinyl is typically safe for pressure washing but it’s best to avoid corrosive cleaning solutions that can damage vinyl surfaces. For fences, start about three feet away and move closer to the fence slowly as needed until you find the right distance. Work from one side of the fence to the other. When cleaning siding, you’ll want to use lower pressure so you don’t damage the siding or allow water to seep behind it. Vinyl decks are also safe for pressure washing but start with a lower pressure setting, working your way up as needed.

Concrete Surfaces

Concrete driveways, patios, and sidewalks are all ideal surfaces for pressure washing. Their porous surface can harbor dirt that would be difficult and tedious to eliminate with scrubbing and other more manual cleaning methods. Though concrete is a hard surface, you can still damage it if you use a psi that is too high, hold the nozzle too close, or even pressure wash too frequently. Start by removing any debris and treating any grease stains. Then determine the highest part of your driveway, patio, or sidewalk, and start there, working your way to the lower end.

Metal Surfaces

Metal railings, gates, and other metal surfaces like wrought iron can be safely pressure-washed, but you’ll definitely want to opt for a lower psi. Beware of any rust damage, chipping, or other issues that could compromise your railing or gate during and after pressure cleaning. Aluminum surfaces like roofs are not typically safe for pressure washing as the pressure could dent the surface. Metal buildings, on the other hand, are likely safe for this cleaning method.

Other Surfaces

• Brick is not able to withstand high-pressure cleaning though you might be able to safely pressure wash brick using a lower psi.
• For outdoor furniture, it’s always best to check with your manufacturer’s recommendations as well as any warranty information.
• Hardwood and metal outdoor furniture are generally safe for pressure washing but softwoods can be damaged during the process so you’ll want to opt to hand clean instead.

Things You Shouldn’t Clean with a Pressure Washer

Stone and Tile Surfaces

Masonry surfaces like stone and tile are usually on the no-fly list when it comes to pressure washing. Their protective patina, sealants, and coatings can be damaged due to the high-pressure cleaning process.

Stucco

The story on whether stucco is safe for pressure washing is mixed. For that reason, it’s best to consult your local exterior cleaning company. They might be able to advise on the best practices for your home and more safely clean it thanks to their expert knowledge. This can help you avoid costly cracks, wear, and other issues that can compromise the integrity of the material.

Tips for Effective Pressure Washing

While you can use a pressure washer with only water, some stains and spots might require additional treatment, like pre-treating or using a specialized solution in your machine. Just be sure to consult your pressure washer’s user manual to ensure you use a cleaning formula that’s safe for the unit.

It’s always best to start with a lower psi and work your way up. Even the most sturdy of materials and surfaces can be damaged if you’re reckless with your pressure washer, so start with more gentle settings while you test for any damage, streaking, or other issues will ensure a safer and more effective cleaning job.

Maintenance and Care of Pressure Washer

Unplug your machine, flush out any cleaner, and empty the water tank completely before storing. Be sure it is stored in a clean, dry spot like your garage, and separate your pump equipment for storage in a place that does not receive freezing temperatures. Wind up cords, disconnect external parts including extension cords, and make sure everything is stored neatly. Finally, cover your pressure washer with a tarp or cover to avoid dust and debris from settling in.