Is your house covered in mold and dirt? Is your car just screaming to be washed?
Maybe your outdoor patio needs a good cleaning? Before you run for your pressure washer, there are a few things to think about.
You're garden hose offers approximately 50 PSI. A Pressure Washer can easily generate 1000-4000 PSI compared to a typical garden hose. That is some serious power. But serious power comes with serious safety precautions.
Following simple pressure washer safety procedures can prevent and eliminate any accidental pressure washer related injuries.
Before You Clean
Preventative maintenance is always key to keeping power equipment safe. A few minutes of maintenance every time you use your pressure washer can eliminate your equipment from malfunctioning and causing accidents. Check out our Pressure Washer Maintenance article for a complete guide to keeping your Pressure Washer up-to-date!
Weather Precautions
If you think you can operate your gas or electric powered pressure washer in the rain or if the ground is wet, you're wrong. Even though water is coming from your pressure washer, rain or wet ground could damage the engine. Or in the case of an electric pressure washer, it could cause electrocution.
Is Your Working Area Clear?
Toys, rocks, and sticks. Obstructions in your working area could cause a hazardous accident. Always clear your working area of obstacles that you could trip and fall over or that your pressure washer hose could get stuck on. Make sure people, children, and pets are at safe distance away from your working area.
High pressure spray can move objects or cause them to ricochet off the surface you are cleaning, injuring you or anyone surrounding you. 50 feet is a good recommended distance for anyone around you.
That Dirt is Ready to Go
Stay 3-4 feet from the surface you're spraying.
- Always wear protective glasses to protect your body and face from the high powered spray and any objects that could be moved.
- Never spray people or animals with your pressure washer. High pressure spray can cut through skin and cause serious injuries.
- Keep any power cords out of standing water; this could cause shock or electrocution.
- Always connect to water supply before turning on water supply. Not doing this will damage the pump.
- Test the GFCI before getting started.
- Always adjust spray tip and spray pattern while pressure washer is off.
- Never try to mend the high pressure hose if it is damaged or worn, it is safer to just replace it.
- Small engines produce an odorless, tasteless, clear, deadly gas known as Carbon Monoxide. Never operate or work on your pressure washer inside or in a closed in area where Carbon Monoxide can accumulate.
- Start using your pressure washer 3-4 feet from your surface. Remember that objects and water can ricochet off the surface you are cleaning and injure you.
- Always wear closed toed-non slip shoes when operating your pressure washer. The area you are working in could get wet and slippery, allowing an easy situation for you to slip and fall.
- Never spray people or animals with high pressure water. High pressure water can cut skin causing major injury.
- It is not recommended to use your Pressure Washer form a ladder or other unstable surface. A slip or fall could result from the initial back lash of the spray, pressure striking the wall or your surface getting wet.
Final Thoughts
A pressure washer is a time efficient, easy, and sometimes fun way to clean your house exterior, porch, patio furniture or even your car! Following safety recommendations can save you and anyone else serious injury and allow you to get back to enjoying your summer.