15 Things You Should Never Power Wash

When maintaining your home there are 15 things you should never power wash. The high pressure is too much for some surfaces.

Windows

Unless it’s a special type, most glass is fragile and can’t take a ton of pressure. Even if the glass doesn’t break, there are seals around your windows to consider and other issues that might arise.

AC Units

There are a lot of small, delicate parts in an AC unit. It’s not a bad thing to dust them off with the outer edge of your spray, but a direct hit could do a lot of damage to the inner workings of these machines.

Asphalt Shingles

This is a bit of a conundrum when moss starts to build. But a direct stream from a typical power washer could strip away the needed granules and open your roof to serious leaks later on.

Gutters

It sounds like a great idea, right? Unfortunately, most power washers are powerful enough to rip your gutter off the side of your home without much effort.

Electric Meters

Most electric meters have glass or plastic cases over them that can take the elements based on their design. The thing about this is that nature can’t get up close and personal and switch the angles to knock these covers off.

Light Fixtures

It’s better to clean these by hand since it’s gentler and more likely to keep the fixtures from getting busted. Turning a power washer on a light fixture can lead to broken fixtures and damaged internal wiring.

Pools

Cleaning the pool before using it is a great idea, but use chemicals or robotic pool cleaners instead of a power washer. Keep in mind that a pressure washer can chisel away at concrete or vinyl liners and can do a great amount of damage in very little time.

Lead Paint

There are procedures for removing lead paint and as someone who’s done this, you don’t want an organization like OSHA coming down on your head. A power washer can send lead paint chips flying in all directions.

Stained Wood

If you want to strip the wood down to the natural surface then this is a quick way, though it’s not a safe one. It takes a steady hand to make this work, good luck with 2400+ psi.

Mortar or Brick

Depending on the age of the brick, this is a bad idea. Not only that, but since brick is porous it can trap water over time and continue to degrade.

Cars

There are lower-power pressure washers that one can use to wash a car, but the typical power washer will do too much damage. The typical washer will dent your vehicle or start ripping paint from its side.

Fiber Cement Siding

This type of siding is kind of popular thanks to its durability, which is ironic since it can’t withstand a power washer. It’s possible to angle a washer to knock off dirt and dust, but it’s usually better to use a hose and bristle brush.

Living Things

You would never think that water could cut or bruise, would you? The first time you get hit full force with a power washer you’ll think differently, since the focused spray can cut skin if you’re close enough, and bruise the hell out of you after taking a full blast.

Trees and Shrubs

Like anything on this list, an indirect dousing from a power washer won’t do a serious amount of damage since it’s like being hit with a forceful burst of spray. But turning a power washer full force on a tree or shrub is going to break branches and leave your foliage in serious disarray.

Wooden Patio Furniture

Get this in mind and keep it there: a power washer can strip, split, and splinter wood. Scrub your wooden furniture, don’t beat the hell out of it with a power washer.