Home Power Washing: What Surfaces Are Safe to Clean?

So, you’ve finally got your hands on a power washer for home use. Congratulations!

When you’re ready to make your home look more like the “after” part of a “before and after” series, it’s tempting to rush to clean everything in sight. However, don’t get carried away! Cleaning the wrong surfaces can do more harm than good, and you can even end up causing irreparable damage if you aren’t careful.
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When it comes to home power washing tips, we’ve got you covered. Here are the surfaces you can safely clean with your equipment—and the ones you should never power wash.

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Surfaces That Are Safe to Power Wash

Luckily, most exterior surfaces are safe to power wash. Here are some of the most common surfaces and materials homeowners can safely clean:

• Fencing
• Concrete driveways and walkways
• Walls
• Siding, with the exception of wood and aluminum
• Decks
• Patio furniture made of plastic or wood
• Outdoor textiles like rugs, fabrics, awnings, and cushions
• Bikes and outdoor toys
• Garbage cans
• Children’s play systems

Of course, you’ll still want to get familiar with the best power settings for each material before jumping into the job. Remember to start with a 40-degree nozzle before adding more pressure!

Surfaces You Shouldn’t Power Wash

No matter how dirty some surfaces get, cleaning them via home pressure washing can do more harm than good. Here are the surfaces you should never pressure wash at home:

Aluminum and Wood Siding

With aluminum, the pressure of power washing can cause warping and dents. That same pressure can force water up and under wood siding, trapping moisture between the panels and causing your wood to grow mold, warp, or rot. Instead of using a pressure washer, you’ll need to do an old-fashioned scrubbing.
 an old-fashioned scrubbing.
Asphalt Shingles

It’s tempting to try to clean overgrown algae or mold from your roof in the same way you’d do with your siding. However, the pressure from a power washer can strip away the granules that protect your asphalt roof from sun damage.

Electric Panels and Appliances

Even if an outdoor meter or air conditioning unit is protected by metal, you should never introduce water into the system. Forcing water into openings in the unit can cause lasting damage or shorten the lifespan of the system.

Painted Surfaces

Unless the surface in question is something you’d like to strip the paint from, you should avoid pressure-washing it. This is true of everything from the walls of your home to painted patio furniture.

Windows

While it’s usually considered safe to clean dust and debris from your windows, you may want to leave this to the professionals. If you aren’t careful, the high pressure can crack or break the glass—an expensive mistake to fix!

Get a Safe Cleaning With Home Power Washing Services

When you’re not sure how to do a safe and effective cleaning of your house, calling for expert backup can help you avoid the risk of property damage.

ARC Pressure Washing is the trusted cleaning resource for homeowners throughout the Alpharetta, Cumming, Dawsonville, Milton, Duluth, Johns Creek, and North Metro Atlanta areas. Our team has a wealth of experience offering safe home power washing services. Contact us today to learn how we can help!