Surfaces That Can't Be Power Washed
Brad Forrest, Owner
There are some surfaces that cannot be power washed at all without damaging them. Here are the most common ones I get asked about.
Roofs
It is generally not advised that people power wash roofs for a few reasons. First, it can damage the singles. Second, some of the water may seep in as a result fo the seals being broken. This problem could be mitigated slightly by avoiding spraying up towards the roof, but it is best to avoid power washing the roof altogether. Instead, a homeowner should look to softwash their roof.
Cars/Trucks
If you have a gas power washer, it is likely too powerful for your car and you should avoid using it on your car altogether as it would strip much of the paint from the car. It is generally advised that a power washer with a psi of 1200-2200 is safe for most cars, but you should check to see what is recommended for your individual make and model.
Cedar Shake Siding
Cedar shake wood is too soft to withstand a power washer and the power washer would end up leaving significant marks throughout the entire house. Instead, a homeowner should look into getting their cedar shake siding soft washed, as this will avoid the issue of pressure altogether.
(Some) Patios
Some patios are perfectly fine to power wash while others should be avoided altogether. If you look in between the bricks on your patio and there is concrete between them, then it is safe to power wash. If there is some sort of sealant or sand in between them, the power washer will blow all of this into the air and make a mess. Even if the homeowner is going to get the patio resealed, the power washer won’t get these patios very clean and it is better to soft wash them.
