As the weather warms up and Brits get to work on their gardens, experts are urging caution when it comes to this nifty device. It can be tempting to blitz everything in the garden in order to clean more efficiently, but according to an expert, there are six things which shouldn’t be pressure washed.
A spokesperson for GardenBuildingsDirect said: “Many of us consider our pressure washer an essential garden tool, but it is important Brits know how to use them correctly. This is because misusing your pressure washer can cost you. The pressure applied by the tool can easily break things like gutters, solar panels and garden lights.
“Even more robust materials, like walls and sheds, must be treated with care, as any cracks and gaps can be further damaged by pressure washers.
“On the other hand, there are lots of cleaning tasks made much easier by the blast of a high-pressure washer, including driveways, patios, cars, bikes and garage doors.”
1. Outdoor furniture
Avoid using the device on painted outdoor furniture, as this blast can strip wood, crack wood or even dent soft materials.
2. Filthy gutters
If your gutters have been clogged or just haven’t been cleaned for a while, it’s important to avoid the temptation of using a pressure washer. The pressure can snap brackets, dislodge joints or even puncture thin plastic.
3. Garden sheds
The experts said: “Taking a pressure washer to your wooden garden shed could lead to rot, warping or mould if the water makes its way into joints and gaps in the building.
“You should clean your outbuilding with a low-pressure hose and a wood-safe cleaner to keep it looking its best for as long as possible.
“With metal sheds, you need to be sure that the galvanised coating is completely intact with no gaps before bringing it into contact with water.”
4. Bricks
Any bricks on outbuildings, garden walls or a property that is a little older should not be blasted with a pressure washer. If they are crumbling or at all looking a little loose, using a pressure washer could cause “costly damage”.
5. Garden equipment
If your mower, hedge trimmer or other electrical garden equipment are looking a little dusty after being stored away for the winter, make sure to avoid cleaning them with a pressure washer.
6. Garden lights
The garden experts continued: “Garden lights are often delicate and would crack when faced with a pressure washer, meaning you would have to pay to replace or repair them.
“You should also avoid pressure washing anything in your garden which is solar-powered, as the high-pressure hose can crack the small solar panels used for outdoor lights or water features.”