Consumer reports experts share pressure washer cleaning advice for your deck roof siding car and more.
Good pressure washer for wood siding.
Many of them can be used with any pressure washer but be sure to check your pressure washer owner s manual to see if the manufacturer recommends any specific cleaners and to see the recommended amounts.
So when looking for a pressure washer soap or detergent make sure it s one designed specifically for pressure washers.
1st cedar is a relatively soft wood.
Frequently a pressure washer can produce dramatic results as this photo.
From there water can damage insulation electrical wiring and can spur mold growth.
A high powered pressure washer can also dent aluminum and vinyl siding.
Connect the pressure washer to a water source such as a garden hose.
While it s possible to wash wood siding correctly there s also a good chance that water will find its way up and under the exterior surface if you use high pressure.
The tip you choose is important to avoid damage to the siding.
Diluted in water and applied often with a stiff scrub brush it can.
For instance you might be tempted to clean wood siding with a pressure washer thinking it would make quick work of.
Insert the yellow tip in the pressure washer wand.
Dangers of damaged vinyl siding.
Pressure washing is not good to use on any kind of soft surface like window screens for example.
I can assume there is instant dissent with the title of this story.
The jet of a pressure washer can actually damage the wood.
It wasn t so long ago that trisodium phosphate tsp was a go to choice for tough cleaning jobs especially on exteriors.
Vinyl siding is a hard surface but it s not as hard as say brick.
The power of pressure washers can be too much of a good thing.
But there is good reason not to powerwash a wood sided exterior.
That means that when you use pressure washing on vinyl you really have to be very careful to not damage the siding.
The grit can cause damage as the wood moves with the wind and the changes in temperature.
In addition to having to.
With wood in particular the challenge is to avoid doing more harm than good.
Wood siding can benefit from a pressure wash as the grit that accumulates can be totally removed.