Top 13+ Things You Should Never Pressure Wash
A person in a yellow raincoat uses a pressure washer to clean the roof eaves of a wooden structure surrounded by trees. Water sprays out forcefully.
Wood Siding
While it’s possible to pressure wash wood siding correctly, you can also force water up and under the exterior surface if your water pressure is set too high. If water gets under the siding it can damage insulation, electrical wiring, and even spur mold growth. A high-powered pressure wash could also dent aluminum and vinyl siding, so learn the proper techniques first if you plan on using a pressure washer to clean your siding.
A grey electrical meter and junction box are mounted on a light-colored wall, surrounded by multiple metal conduits leading downward.
Electrical Panels and Meters
Do not pressure wash any fixtures housing electricity, even those on the exterior of your home or in your yard. Though built to withstand a rainstorm, pressure washing can force water into cracks and crevice and cause damage and costly repairs.
Gray asphalt shingles cover a sloped roof, arranged in a staggered pattern, showcasing a textured surface that glints softly in the light.
Asphalt Shingles
Never pressure wash your roof if you have asphalt shingles. The water pressure strips away the granules that protect your roof. Not to mention, using a pressure washer in a high place is dangerous— when you squeeze the trigger the powerful recoil on the spray wand could throw you off balance and off a ladder.
A hand holds a knife, scraping grime from an air conditioning unit's filter. The background shows a house's siding, indicating outdoor maintenance.
Air Conditioners
For cleaning your air conditioning unit, don’t reach for a pressure washer. The intense flow of water can bend or crush the delicate fins and restrict airflow, which in turn shortens the life of the unit. Instead, straighten cooling fins using a butter knife and use a vacuum and a much gentler water flow to rinse away debris.
A textured turquoise wall displays peeling paint, revealing a lighter surface underneath, highlighting the passage of time and weathering effects.
Lead Paint
Never remove lead paint with a pressure washer. Lead paint should be carefully contained when removed, not blasted into the air and surrounding surfaces. Don’t forget to check out these tips for pressure washer maintenance.
A cracked brick wall reveals loose bricks, with debris and dried leaves scattered along a concrete edge in an outdoor setting.
Old Mortar
A pressure washer will damage weathered brick houses and other landscaping surfaces with mortar. Any loose material, especially on older structures, will be blasted away by pressure washing on a high setting. Instead of a pressure washer, use this method to clean hard water stains off of brick.
Also, here’s how to pressure wash your whole house so that the new coat of exterior paint will stick better and last longer.
A garden hose nozzle sprays water toward greenery and blooming flowers, creating a refreshing mist in a vibrant, lush environment.
Living Things
This one is (hopefully) a no-brainer. Never pressure wash humans, pets, or plants. The force of water coming from a pressure washer can cause physical harm — even penetrate skin—and will most certainly destroy your plants.
Rocking chairs line a covered porch, gently swaying in a still environment, overlooking a green lawn and nearby trees in a quiet neighborhood.
Painted Surfaces That You Want to Stay Painted
A pressure wash will easily chips paint off most surfaces, so only use a low-pressure flow of water to wash painted items such as a porch floor or painted outdoor furniture.
A blue window with cracked and broken panes is mounted on a brick wall, revealing a view of greenery outside.
Windows
Don’t pressure wash windows! The high pressure can break them, giving you a major headache and an expensive window to replace. Instead, wash your windows the right way with these tried-and-true window washing tips from professionals.
A green car with its hood raised exposes the engine, parked on a street with visible trees and buildings in the background.
Vehicles
Using a high-pressure wash to clean your vehicle can cause small dents and even chip the paint, leaving it vulnerable to rust. If you do use a pressure washer to clean your car, always set it to a low-pressure setting. Find out the unusual uses for pressure washers.
And never, ever attempt to pressure wash under the hood! It could force water into cracks and crevices in your vehicle’s engine and cause serious damage.
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Outdoor Light Fixtures
Though outdoor lighting can withstand rain and other weather elements, you should not pressure wash these fixtures. You’ll risk forcing water into cracks and causing damage. Learn how to install low-voltage outdoor lighting yourself.
A gloved hand removes a clump of debris from a rain gutter, surrounded by green foliage and a brown roof under a cloudy sky.
Gutters
Though tempting, you should never clean out the inside of your gutters with a pressure washer. It’s best to remove debris by hand and then rinse the inside clean with a garden hose. Learn how to clean gutters without ladders.
Gutters can withstand rainstorms, but not the extreme power of a pressure washer. Choose this gutter cleaning tool instead of a pressure washer.
A pressure washer sprays water onto a wooden bench, cleaning its surface in an outdoor setting with blurred greenery in the background.
Stained Wood
A pressure wash pulls stain right off wood surfaces. If stripping stain from your deck is the task you are trying to accomplish, then blast away! But if you intend to keep stains on wood, don’t use a pressure washer to clean it.
