DIY pressure washing sounds like something pretty simple right…wrong! But do you know why?
Are you sure?
There are plenty of hidden reasons DIY pressure washing can be dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.
Here’s why…
1. It’s Dangerous
Yep! You heard that right. Pressure washing is dangerous. According to Consumer Reports, thousands of people each year end up in the emergency room due to pressure washing accidents.
- High-pressure water can easily cut through a wide variety of materials, including heavy-duty work boots. So just imagine what it could do to your skin if you miscalculate the hose direction.
- There’s a high risk of electric shock because of a pressure washer’s cable that commonly develops small cracks where water can get into them. Or, due to a pressure washer that’s not plugged into a properly grounded plug, etc.
- Chemicals from a pressure washer can be absorbed into your bloodstream causing a bacterial infection…or worse.
2. Not Being Able to Spot Red Flags in a Surface
If you don’t know what you’re doing, you could easily ruin any given surface. A professional will be familiar with a wide variety of surfaces and be able to spot problem areas where extra caution needs to be taken to avoid damage. For example, a professional will know how to avoid cracking your foundation, breaking your windows, weakening your siding and trim, or voiding your roof’s warranty due to an improper pressure washing job. Yep! If you make one small mistake while pressure washing your roof, it could void the entire warranty.
3. Using the Wrong Cleaning Solution
Every surface will require the right cleaning solution if you want the job to be done right and without causing any damage. A professional pressure washer will know which solutions will harm any given surface and/or its surrounding area. Many DIY pressure washers don’t use any cleaning solution at all incorrectly believing the pressure washing process is enough to get the surface clean. However, in most cases, there are harmful particles that can’t be seen by the naked eye that can only be removed using the appropriate cleaning solution for that particular application.
4. Incorrect Cleaning Strategy
When pressure washing, there is a specific order for how everything must be washed. So if you don’t know and don’t follow that order, you will have wasted time and money. Additionally, if you don’t perform the pressure washing correctly, you could end up with a streaked surface. Each surface must be prioritized in a specific order to avoid re-soiling a surface you’ve just cleaned.
5. Using Too High of a Pressure
Pressure washing requires just the right pressure to get the surface clean and to avoid damaging the existing surface. Generally, when a novice does their own pressure washing, they guess at the correct pressure based on what appears to be correct. This is the worst thing you could do.
Why?
Because using the wrong pressure could break windows, tear screens, strip the paint, damage rotten wood, ruin roofing shingles, damage gutters, or tear up surfaces which then become flying projectiles that could end up damaging your neighbor’s home, vehicle, pet, or child. And no one wants that!
The Bottom Line
If you want to have something pressure washed while avoiding damage to you, your family, your neighbor, or the surface, don’t attempt to do it yourself—always contact a professional!
