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Professional power washing removes built-up dirt, mold, and mildew, which preserves exterior surfaces and improves curb appeal. Hiring a professional ensures the cleaning is done effectively and without damaging surfaces.

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.

Whether you need to winterize your pressure washer depends on where you store it. If you can keep it in a relatively warm place with no risk of freezing, you won't need to add antifreeze. However, if the machine will be stored in freezing temperatures, any liquid left in the water pump can freeze, expand, and cause severe damage. To prevent this, add antifreeze to keep it in good condition. While some suggest emptying the machine with compressed air, this can be a tedious process that may not fully drain the liquid. Regardless of storage conditions, it is also good practice to empty the gas chamber and refresh the oil before winter storage.

You should never use bleach in a pressure washer. While bleach is effective at killing mold and mildew, it is a potent chemical that can corrode the machine's seals and nozzles, destroying it from the inside out. Additionally, pressure washing with bleach sprays the chemical into the air, which is dangerous if inhaled and can kill nearby plants, flowers, or harm animals that ingest it. If you need to remove mold or mildew, it is best to hire a professional who will use a safe and effective cleaning agent.