Pressure washing is a great way to boost the curb appeal of your home or commercial property as well as keep it in good condition. But not every surface is safe for pressure washing. In fact, if you pressure wash the wrong surfaces, you could seriously damage your home or commercial building. Knowing what you can and can’t pressure wash will help you decide the best way to keep your home or commercial building clean. Here are nine things you should avoid pressure washing in order to keep them in good condition.

Asphalt Shingles. Pressure washing uses a high amount of water pressure to remove debris and clean surfaces. But if you pressure wash your asphalt shingles, you could remove the granules that protect your roof. In fact, you could even lose shingles completely.

Stained Wood. Pressure washing can be used to remove stains from some surfaces very effectively. But that means that if you pressure wash your stained wood, you could actually remove the stain from it. This will make the stained wood look worse than when you began.

Lead Paint. Since lead paint has a different composition than other types of paints, you should avoid using pressure washing to clean it. If you do, you risk damaging, cracking, and stripping the paint off its surface.

Old Mortar. Weathered brick walls and other surfaces with mortar can be damaged with pressure washing. The pressure from the water can dislodge granules and other loose material, resulting in damage to the mortar.

Vehicle. As nice as it sounds to have a bright, clean car, pressure washing is not the way to do it. In fact, it can lead to small dents and chip the paint, which can cause rusting.

Windows. Glass windows are fragile. Using a pressure washer to clean them can result in cracks or serious breaks in your window panes.

Gutters. Even though pressure washing is great for stuck-on debris, such as dead leaves that collect and stick because of rain, it’s not a good idea to pressure wash your gutters. It can result in damaging your fascia and even knocking your gutters down.

A/C Units. Your A/C unit uses fins to help regulate air flow. If you use a pressure washer to clean your unit, the fins can be damaged, which compromises that air flow. In addition, water can seep into the A/C unit, which can cause electrical damage.

Living Things. Even though it’s obvious, it’s worth saying that living things should not be pressure washed, including plants. The pressure from the water can cause damage, even penetrating human skin. Stick with the shower instead.

If you need pressure washing done, your best bet is to contact a professional who can help ensure that your home is cleaned properly and without damage. The experts at Top Down Exterior Cleaning are fully trained and insured, and they only use the latest pressure washing technology to protect your surfaces and investments. When you’re ready for pressure washing in Lakeland, Florida contact Top Down Exterior Cleaning today!