Households have been told to avoid the temptation to blitz everything in their garden, as experts share six things that shouldn’t be pressure washed.
As the weather warms up and Brits get to work on sprucing up their gardens, experts at GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk are urging caution when using pressure washers.
While the tools are great for patios and driveways, misusing them can cause serious damage and could result in paying out for repairs or replacements of things like wooden furniture, lights, garden sheds and electrical equipment.
Using pressure washers and hosepipes for cleaning tasks also requires a lot of water, so using them sensibly is important.
A spokesperson for GardenBuildingsDirect said: “Many of us consider our pressure-washer as 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 garden 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.”
Here is what not to clean with your pressure washer, according to GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk:
- Outdoor furniture
Avoid using your pressure washer on painted outdoor furniture, as the blast can strip wood, crack wood or even dent soft materials. If you want to give your garden furniture a good scrub for the summer months, use a sponge and mild detergent.
- Filthy gutters
If your gutters have been clogged or just haven’t been cleaned for a while, you should avoid the temptation of using the pressure washer. The pressure can snap brackets, dislodge joints or could even puncture particularly thin plastic. Alternatively, you can get gutter cleaning tools to help scoop out any build up.
- Garden sheds
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.
- Bricks
Any bricks on outbuildings, garden walls or your home that are a little older shouldn’t be blasted with a pressure washer. If they are crumbling at all or looking a little loose, a pressure washer could cause costly damage. Instead, clean carefully by hand or a low pressure hose.
- Garden equipment
If your mower, hedge trimmers or other electrical garden equipment are looking a little dusty after being stored away for the winter, make sure to avoid cleaning them with your pressure washer.
- Garden lights
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.
Featured Photo by Tony Pham on Unsplash.
