If your washing machine has too much pressure, it can damage surfaces and, of course, you don't want them to crack or dent the surface of your patio or deck. For best results, contact a professional. They will do the job well, without damaging the surfaces. If used improperly, pressure washers can cause significant damage in the form of bites, lines, or general surface degradation.
It is also possible to damage the mortar between the bricks and to disperse the sand from the joint between the pavers. Compared to concrete, slabs installed less than 12 months ago are more likely to suffer damage than older slabs. The quick answer is yes, pressure washing can degrade a concrete surface. There are many horror stories that are pressure washed and that focus on a well-intentioned homeowner who accidentally damages his wooden deck, removes paint from his house, destroys the paint on his car, rips tiles off his roof or siding on the side of the house, and even causes serious injuries to themselves or others.
It's usually also a bad idea to pressure wash the car, as the paint can be damaged in the process. Damage caused by pressure washers is often the result of choosing the wrong nozzle, using a higher pressure than the task requires, keeping the rod too close to the hard surface, or directing the spray to a point for too long. If done correctly, pressure washing concrete can make a patio, driveway, or walkway look like new in just one day. However, since there are so many to choose from, here's a full list of quality pressure washers for patio cleaning.
Keep in mind that if you switch from pressure washing concrete to another type of surface, such as outdoor furniture, you probably want to reduce the amount of pressure. You know that you have damaged the concrete due to a poor pressure wash if you see etching, which creates an uneven surface and an unattractive entrance or surface. Someone who washes under pressure on a daily basis knows exactly how to clean surfaces without causing any damage. You can see visible damage caused by water pressure at the level at which even light-duty pressure washers can operate.
Pressure washing is the best way to clean hard landscapes, and the good news is that you can clean concrete, pavers, or bricks with a pressure washer. Before you approach your hard landscapes with a pressure washer, you must first practice with it on dirt or other undamaged surface. To further reduce the chance of damaging your hard surfaces, you can consider renting or buying a surface cleaner accessory, which directs water jets to clean hard surfaces, but doesn't have the same potential to cause damage as a pressure washer. Some horror stories about pressure washers include removing paint from houses, tearing off coatings and tiles, damaging wood covers, destroying car paint jobs, and causing serious injuries.
There are a good variety of power washer tools and patio cleaner accessory kits, but they tend to be quite optional. Once the pressure washer starts working, don't hesitate to get a little closer until you're comfortable with the distance from the surface.
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