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The first time you use a pressure washer to clean up your outdoor areas, it can seem like magic. Dirt, mildew and grime just disappear without chemicals, just a high-pressured stream of water. While having or renting a pressure washer to maintain your home can seem like a great idea, you need to know where it is safe to use it. Here are five surfaces that can be damaged from pressure washers if you use the wrong pressure or technique.

1. Wood. Many types of wood are soft and can be splintered under high pressured water. This can harm your deck or fencing, even wood shingles, if done incorrectly.
2. Windows. Glass and the casings around windows need to be carefully cleaned when using a pressure washer. The wrong technique can cause leaks and damage your expensive windows.
3. Roofing. Pressure washing is a common way to clean roofs, but it can also lead to expensive damage if not performed with the right method. It can lift shingles and create leaks, leading to costly roof repairs.
4. Stucco. The texture of stucco makes it difficult to clean with a pressure washer unless you know the exact nozzle and water pressure to use.
5. Siding. Etching is a common problem when pressure washing siding,  leaving permanent indention or lines on your home. Use the wrong pressure on painted siding and you can remove the paint.

Many DIY homeowners have caused expensive damage to their homes cleaning these surfaces with pressure washing. However, all these surfaces can be cleaned by low-pressure or professional power washing. Using the right equipment and techniques can ensure these surfaces are cleaned without any damage. While you can clean most driveways or patios with your pressure washer, leave the more vulnerable surfaces to the professionals to prevent damage.

Posted on behalf of:
Impact Pressure Washing
105 Commerce Drive
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(678) 697-7127

When your siding is streaked with mildew or your wood deck is looking old and gray, a cleaning is in order. The most common way to clean these large outdoor surfaces is with pressure washing. While this method can have excellent results, it can also have risks. If done incorrectly, you could damage your siding or decking, which can be a very expensive mistake. How do you clean your deck and siding without harming these surfaces?

Low-Pressure Washing

The problem with home pressure washers is they may not have enough variance in pressure. Some models may only have two settings, giving you very little control over the amount of pressure. While this is not an issue with paved surfaces, it could be a problem when cleaning siding and decking, especially wood varieties. High pressure can splinter and damage wood decks; it can also damage wood shingles or other types of siding. Also, high pressure can strip stain and paint, not just remove the dirt, mildew and stains.

Low-pressure washing is the safest for removing grime from your wood and vulnerable surfaces without harming the material. Getting just enough pressure to remove dirt and mildew, without affecting paint or digging into the siding or deck takes experience and training, plus the right equipment. For these types of projects, it is best to hire a professional pressure washing company that offers low-pressure options and has the expertise to clean without damaging your siding or deck.

Pressure washing can make your deck and home look like new again, but you want to make sure the right method is used. Hire a low-pressure washing service to get the best results.

Posted on behalf of:
JB Power Clean
Sherrills Ford, NC 28673
(704) 658-5896