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Always begin by removing large debris, leaves, and branches from your lawn to make room for the rest of your lawn maintenance checklist. Move on to mowing, weeding, and edging in the spaces between your lawn and garden. Lastly, clean off all hardscapes, porches, and patios for a fresh and tidy appearance.

Filling small cracks in your driveway with patching material is usually the most affordable fix, costing about $2 to $3 per square foot. For larger damage, however, these repairs won’t last, so it’ll save you more to resurface or replace the driveway, depending on the extent of the issues.

You should avoid using a pressure washer on any surface or item that could be damaged by the high-pressure spray, as some materials are too delicate to withstand the force.

Key items and surfaces to avoid include:

• Electrical Components: Never pressure wash electrical systems, as water can cause short-circuits and create a safety hazard. This includes utility meters, breaker boxes, electrical outlets, generators, and HVAC or air conditioner units.

• Delicate and Fragile Materials: Fragile items can crack, shatter, or be stripped by the pressure. Avoid pressure washing windows, glass, light fixtures, shingled roofs (especially asphalt), and stucco.

• Painted, Stained, or Sealed Surfaces: Unless your goal is to strip the finish, do not pressure wash painted surfaces, stained wood (like decks), or anything with a protective seal that could be stripped away. Be especially cautious with older surfaces that may contain lead paint.

• Soft Woods and Certain Decking: Delicate surfaces like softwood, composite decking, and antique or wooden patio furniture can be etched or damaged. If you must wash wood, use a lower-powered pressure washer with a wide-angle nozzle to prevent damage.

• Living Things: Never use a pressure washer on people, pets, or plants. The force can cause serious injury and will destroy landscaping.

Yes, you can pressure wash epoxy floors, but you must take precautions to avoid damaging the surface. While most epoxy floors can be cleaned with a mop, you might choose to pressure wash if the floor is stained, has ground-in dirt, or is covered with mold or mildew. To do so safely, first soak any stains or dirty areas with a gentle cleanser. Use a lower pressure setting with a gentle nozzle, such as a green, white, or black tip, or a 45-degree angled tip. Keep the spray nozzle at least 18 inches away from the floor to protect the surface. Using a surface cleaner attachment or a rotary scrubber can also help prevent overspray. Be cautious if using a power washer that heats the water, as the combination of heat and pressure may be too powerful and could damage the epoxy coating.