We all love the satisfying power of a pressure washer. However, as tempting as it may be, not everything can handle that high-pressure blast. So, what should you not pressure wash?
Avoid pressure washing anything that’s fragile, peeling, not waterproof, or easily damaged. We’re talking windows, delicate paint, or your favorite outdoor plants. A wrong move could lead to cracks, leaks, or even worse consequences.
Let’s take a look at 16 things you should not pressure wash—and what to do instead.
16 Things You Should Never Pressure Wash
1. Windows
Never pressure wash windows because it is a recipe for cracked glass and broken seals. The force of the water can even push moisture inside your walls, leading to leaks, mold, and rot.
Even high-quality, double-paned windows aren’t immune. If water gets between the panes or behind the trim, you could end up with foggy glass and long-term damage.
What you can do: Clean with a soft cloth, mild dish soap, and a garden hose. For second-story windows, use an extension pole or a window cleaning kit.
2. Asphalt Shingles
It’s tempting to clean a mossy or stained roof with a pressure washer, but don’t. High pressure strips away the gritty granules that protect shingles from the sun and weather.
It might seem like a quick way to clean your roof, but it can do more harm than good. Plus, some roof warranties won’t cover damage from pressure washing.
What you can do: To protect your shingles, opt for soft washing with a gentle cleaner and a low-pressure spray. This keeps your shingles intact while removing mold, algae, and dirt.
3. Electrical Panels and Meters
Never pressure wash electrical panels and meters. Pressure washing or even just spraying these areas can cause short circuits, electrical malfunctions, and even fires. You risk knocking out your power, or worse, creating a shock hazard for anyone nearby.
What you can do: Turn off the power if needed and use a dry cloth or barely damp sponge to wipe the surface. For stubborn grime, contact a licensed electrician.
4. Air Conditioning Units
The metal fins on your AC unit may look tough, but they’re surprisingly fragile. High-pressure water can bend them, block airflow, and reduce efficiency. That makes your system work harder, which leads to higher energy bills and expensive repairs.
What you can do: Use a soft-bristle brush or vacuum with a brush attachment. Compressed air or a garden hose with light pressure also works well.
5. Old Brick and Mortar
Bricks on older homes (especially before the 1930s) are softer and can start falling apart if blasted with high pressure.
The intense force from a pressure washer can wear down the surface or knock out mortar. Over time, this weakens the wall’s structure and can lead to cracks or crumbling.
What you can do: If you need to clean brick surfaces, use a soft wash with a brick-safe cleaner and low pressure. For heavy stains, try a gentle scrub brush and soak the surface first.
6. Gutters
While it might seem efficient to clear out clogged gutters, high-pressure water can loosen fasteners and damage downspouts.
It might blow debris out, but it can also blast the gutter right off your house or send gunk deeper into the downspout.
What you can do: Use a gutter scoop or a garden hose with a spray attachment for safe cleaning. If you still want to try pressure washing, use the lowest possible pressure and avoid spraying directly at the gutter’s joints or fasteners. When in doubt, consider hiring a pro.
7. Vehicles
Pressure washing can chip paint, dent metal, and damage delicate parts of your car, motorcycle, or bike. It might look like it’s doing a great job, but it can peel paint or shoot water into places it shouldn’t go, like around the engine or inside seals.
On bikes and motorcycles, it can damage delicate parts or strip away lubrication from key components.
What you can do: Stick to a car wash or use a gentle soap, microfiber sponge, and hose.
For driveway cleaning tips that keep your car safe, read these related articles:
How to Pressure Wash a Driveway
How to Clean a Concrete Driveway
8. Lead Paint
If your home was built before 1978, there’s a chance it has lead-based paint. That year, the U.S. banned lead paint for residential use due to serious health risks.
Pressure washing can break up that paint and send dangerous lead dust into the air and soil. Breathing in or touching lead dust is a serious health risk, especially for kids and pets. It’s best to let a pro handle it safely.
What you can do: Hire a certified lead removal specialist. They’ll use EPA-approved methods to remove or encapsulate the paint safely.
9. Outdoor Light Fixtures
Water can seep into the seals of outdoor light fixtures, causing electrical damage and rust. Once moisture gets in, your lights might flicker, stop working, or worse, short out your system.
What you can do: Turn off the power at the breaker. Wipe them down with a damp cloth instead to keep them clean without damage.
10. Living Things (People, Pets, and Plants)
Pressure washers are powerful enough to cause serious injuries to skin, eyes, and plants. It can cut through skin or knock someone off balance. It can also rip leaves off plants or damage your garden beds in seconds.
As Jessica Chan Tobin, a Quora contributor, wisely puts it, just because you can pressure wash near your garden doesn’t mean you should—at least not without care.
What you can do: When working near people, pets, or plants, skip the pressure washer entirely. Use a gentle garden hose or watering can, and cover or move plants when cleaning nearby surfaces.
11. Stained Wood
Pressure washing can strip away the stain or sealant on wood, leaving it blotchy and unprotected.
This is especially true for outdoor furniture, wooden doors, and other decorative pieces made from softer wood. Even pressure-treated wood can splinter or warp if too much water is forced into it.
What you can do: To clean safely, use a wood-safe cleaner, a soft brush, and low pressure, or go with a soft wash method.
12. Painted Surfaces
Painted surfaces can be tricky. If the paint is older, chipping, or wasn’t sealed properly, high-pressure water can peel it right off.
This applies to house siding, garage doors, fences, and even painted outdoor decor. What starts as a cleaning job could quickly turn into a repainting project.
What you can do: When in doubt, use a garden hose and sponge, or test a small spot with low pressure first.
13. Patios with Loose Grout or Sand
Paver patios or tiled outdoor areas often have sand or grout holding everything in place. A pressure washer can blast that filler material out, leading to uneven surfaces and shifting stones. It can also damage the edges of older tiles or bricks.
What you can do: Sweep regularly, use patio-safe cleaning products, and rinse gently with a hose or low-pressure spray to keep your patio looking neat without causing damage.
14. Stucco
Stucco might look tough, but it’s actually pretty fragile under pressure. The force of a pressure washer can crack or chip the surface, and once moisture gets behind the stucco, it can cause mold or structural damage.
What you can do: Use a soft wash with a stucco-safe cleaner and low pressure to remove dirt without wrecking the finish.
15. Aluminum
Aluminum dents easily, and pressure washing can leave visible marks or even strip away paint. It might clean fast, but you’ll end up with shiny patches or warped sections that don’t match the rest of your aluminum surface.
What you can do: Stick with a soft wash method using low pressure and a wide spray tip to clean without damaging the surface. Check our article, Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing: What’s the Difference?, for a closer look at why soft washing is often the best choice.
16. Vinyl, Wood, and Other Delicate Siding
Vinyl siding and untreated wood can crack, warp, or peel under high pressure. Water can also get behind the siding and cause mold, mildew, or even rot in the walls underneath.
What you can do: Use a soft wash technique or a siding brush with mild soap and a garden hose. It takes a little longer, but it protects your home in the long run.
| The General Rule As a general rule, do not pressure wash any surface that is: ✗ Peeling, like old paint that’s already flaking ✗ Fragile under pressure, such as plants, soft woods, or loose materials ✗ Easily dented, cracked, or splintered, including aluminum siding, stained wood, or brittle masonry ✗ Not waterproof or sealed, like electronics, electrical boxes, or light fixtures ✗ Historic or delicate, such as antique bricks or original exterior finishes |
Take it from what Christopher Chun notes on Quora:
Surfaces You Should Soft Wash Instead
Instead of pressure washing, some surfaces are best cleaned using a soft wash method. This technique uses a low-pressure spray combined with cleaning solutions to break down dirt and grime safely.
Soft washing is a safer alternative for delicate surfaces. It combines low-pressure water with gentle cleaners to remove dirt, algae, and mildew without causing damage.
| You should soft wash: ✓ Roofing – especially asphalt shingles ✓ Stucco and painted surfaces – to prevent cracking and peeling ✓ Wood decks and fences – to avoid splintering and fading ✓ Outdoor furniture – to preserve paint and material quality ✓ Windows – to keep glass and seals safe ✓ Aluminum siding – to avoid dents and streaks ✓ Vinyl and wood siding – too delicate for high pressure You can still consider pressure washing your house with vinyl siding, but it’s important to take certain precautions, like using a low-pressure setting and a wide spray pattern to avoid damage. For more tips on cleaning vinyl siding safely, check out: How to Pressure Wash a House With Vinyl Siding |
Pressure’s High, But So is the Risk
While pressure washing is a powerful tool for cleaning, it’s important to know when to hold back. High pressure can easily damage delicate surfaces, cause long-term problems, and even pose safety risks.
Remember: if it’s peeling, fragile, or easily damaged, it’s probably best to skip the pressure washer. Instead, go for gentler methods like soft washing, using a hose, or even hiring a pro when needed. By understanding what not to pressure wash, you’ll not only protect your property but also avoid unnecessary repairs.
If you now know what can and can’t be pressure-washed, and you’re ready to go for it, here are your next reads:
- Benefits of Pressure Washing
- Power Washing vs. Pressure Washing
- How Much Does Pressure Washing Cost?
- How to Pressure Wash a Deck
- How to Pressure Wash a House
Main Photo Credit: showcake / Adobe Stock Free / License
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