![]() Gas-powered machines with features that make them easy to fuel up earn higher ratings than those that don’t have those features. And because almost all pressure washers are loud-you’ll need earplugs or an earmuff-style headset to use them-we assess each machine’s noise levels, too.įinally, we evaluate how easy a machine is to use. The shorter the time, the higher the pressure output. We measure how long each pressure washer takes to strip paint from painted plastic panels. Those that generate a higher level of pressure (measured in pounds per square inch) receive a higher score than those with a lower pressure output. To test pressure washers, including the models here, we evaluate how much pressure each model can produce. Or the budget-friendly electric model below will do the trick without breaking the bank. Gas or electric pressure washer? If you’re looking to do this job just once every few years, you can probably rent a pressure washer. Don’t pressure-wash shingle siding-the pressure can knock the shingles loose. Repair or replace loose, damaged, or missing siding, and take special care not to spray water directly into any gaps around doors, windows, or under the lap joints on siding runs. Whatever the material being pressure-washed, make sure to prevent water from becoming trapped between the siding and your home’s sheathing, because the moisture promotes mold. If you knock old lead paint loose, it will settle permanently in your soil, where it can get kicked up by children playing outside or can be tracked into the home. Wood clapboard siding can be effectively washed, too, but if your house was built before 1978, have the exterior paint tested first by a lead-remediation specialist licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency. Aluminum siding, however, can dent, so it’s best to start on the lowest pressure setting with a broad nozzle, and save more concentrated blasts for problem spots. Vinyl siding is pliable and can typically withstand pressure washing without much concern. Gas or electric pressure washer? This is a relatively light job, so a corded electric washer, like the one below, is all you need. Once you find the right nozzle, setting, and distance, work along the length of the board, following the grain of the wood. ![]() Generally speaking, it’s best to start with a low-pressure nozzle on an inconspicuous spot to make sure the spray is not etching or marking the wood. Those made of pressure-treated wood-typically Southern yellow pine, a soft wood- are generally okay, too, assuming you don’t hold the nozzle too close.Ĭheck your owner’s manual to confirm which nozzle and setting the manufacturer recommends for decking, and how far away from the surface it should be held. But if that isn’t enough, check the terms of the warranty to make sure pressure-washing won’t void it.ĭecks made from South American hardwoods, such as ipe, cumaru, and tigerwood, will hold up to a power wash just fine. Composite decks from brands such as TimberTech and Trex often resist deep staining, and clean nicely with a light scrub, followed by a rinse with a garden hose.
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