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K-Guard Kansas City Blog

4 Things You Should Never Pressure Wash

Man Pressure Washing the Ground - K-Guard Heartland

 

We completely understand – you’re excited to deep clean outdoor surfaces like your home’s siding, patio, deck, grill, walkways, etc. All you want is to grab your headphones and turn on a great podcast or some good music and go to town on these surfaces with your pressure washer, cleaning all the dirt and grime that nature has left behind. If only it were that easy, right? 

Have you ever washed something in the laundry on a certain cycle, only to discover that it shrunk or discolored? It’s easy to ignore washing directions on things that need cleaning, however, it’s crucial to the longevity of your belongings, especially your home’s outdoor surfaces. The last thing you want is to ruin a part of your home during a DIY pressure washing. 

To avoid a nightmare or voiding a product warranty, we wanted to share 4 things you should never pressure wash so you can be better prepared to tackle (or not tackle) this season’s pressure washing tasks. Continue reading to learn more. As a disclaimer, it’s best to refer to your product’s guidelines before pressure washing to ensure it’s safe for that particular surface.

 

1. Your Roof

Pressure washing your roof could result in a very costly repair if you’re not careful. As a general rule, do not pressure wash your roof! Regardless of material, you could do more harm than good like voiding your roof’s warranty or even your gutter’s warranties. Asphalt shingles can lose their tiny granules that protect the roof along with becoming loose from the intense pressure of the water. Metal roofs can dent while wood roofs can be stripped. 

We also want to stress the danger that pressure washing a roof poses to your safety. The immense pressure of the water could cause you to lose your footing and fall off of a ladder or roof. Never attempt to pressure wash your roof to prolong its lifespan and to protect your health and safety.

 

2. Meters & Electrical Panels/Fixtures

When pressure washing your home’s siding, it’s easy to get in the zone and clean every part of the siding, however, you’ll want to be aware of meters and electrical panels so you don’t cause damage to them, yourself, and your home. While these outdoor panels, meters, and coverings can withstand heavy rainstorms, they are not built to withstand the intensity of a pressure washer. Use caution when pressure washing your home’s siding and avoid meters and electrical panels as well as any fixtures that house electrical wires.

 

3. Windows

Many homeowners opt for pressure washing their home’s windows to remove dirt, grime, and pollen. Unfortunately, this often results in damage that leads to costly repairs. Windows can shatter and break under intense pressure, and a pressure washer (hence its name) is no exception. Instead of pressure washing your windows, clean them safely with a microfiber mop and a natural cleaning solution that’s safe for windows. Rinse them clean with a garden house rather than pressure washing them.

Much like a roof, the use of a ladder is often required when cleaning windows, especially if your home is more than one story. Never use a pressure washer while using a ladder for safety reasons.

 

4. Gutters

You may be thinking gutters are exposed to heavy downpours and strong winds year-round, so why can’t I pressure wash them? The answer is simple: the immense pressure of a power washer could result in severe damage to your gutter system and even your roof. Traditional gutter systems are constructed of aluminum that can dent from hail, so the intense pressure from a pressure washer will do extreme damage. Your gutter system could tear away from the home, dent, the paint could chip, etc. 

Gutters don’t need pressure washing; deep cleaning your gutters by removing debris and flushing them with a garden hose is the safest way to clean them. Gutters that are clogged are more difficult to clean, however, think twice before grabbing the pressure washer. You could opt to clean your gutters yourself or hire a professional gutter cleaning service.

Cleaning the gutters is a task that homeowners dread and for good reason. It’s time-consuming, dangerous, and tedious. Traditional half-round gutter systems need to be cleaned because they clog often. If you’re tired of cleaning your gutters, consider replacing them with the K-Guard System. The K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System is a complete system with a covered hood that eliminates clogs and the need to clean the gutters. It’s also made of extremely durable aluminum that can withstand all weather conditions. With that being said, you still don’t want to pressure wash your gutter system – there is no need to.

While pressure washing can give you a clean like no other, there are some things you should never pressure wash. Luckily, there are some things you can pressure wash like concrete, some home siding, walkways, patios, etc. 

Again, refrain from cleaning your gutter system with a power washer. If you’re tired of cleaning your gutter system consider making the switch to K-Guard. Contact our team today or call (913) 380-1616 to schedule your free estimate. We’ll examine your current gutter system and offer an assessment and our recommendations for installing the K-Guard System in your home. We offer our gutter installation service to homeowners across both Missouri and Kansas including, but not limited to, the following locations:

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