Pressure washing is one of those jobs that may not seem very hard on the surface, but the truth is that it’s incredibly dangerous. If you don’t know what you’re doing and you try to pressure wash without the right equipment and correct safety precautions, eventually something bad will happen.
If you’re going to do this kind of work yourself, do it in the rain with a large tarp over your equipment and tools to keep them dry. The tarp and many other relevant accessories are available at amazon at affordable prices. You might even want a separate “clean up” area. Then go slowly and make sure you’re following all the right steps.
Rain effects on Pressure washers
Unlike some weather phenomena, rain is a fairly common occurrence. Some people even count on it, creating a demand for pressure washers. But the effects of rain can be extremely damaging to your equipment.
Consider the following scenarios:
When storms are moving through, they move in all directions and can pick up debris as they go. That debris could easily cause damage to your equipment as it makes contact, especially if you’re on a hillside or near a waterway.
During heavy rainstorms, water can pool on the ground and drain into your equipment’s hoses, making them leaky and potentially causing damage to the pumps. Water that pours down from roofs can also run into hoses and cause damage.
Rain can also create problems with chemicals in your system; if water gets in, it can dilute the cleaner you add, leading to an uneven application or even bacterial growth within the tank itself.
Tips on Using Pressure Washer Safely
For many people, a pressure washer is the first serious tool they ever owned. But it’s important to use them safely, as they can cause serious damage to your property if used incorrectly.
Here are some tips on how to use a pressure washer safely:
- Keep it in good working order: Whether you rent or own the unit, make sure it’s in good working order and always run it through a full cycle through the cleaning cycle before starting any real work. If you’re renting, make sure they’re running it properly and checking the oil level regularly.
- Follow safe operating guidelines: Always follow all operating guidelines, especially when cleaning around windows and other areas that could be damaged by high-pressure sprays.
- Get professional help: If you don’t have experience with using a pressure washer, get professional help. It can be very dangerous to operate one without knowing how to do it safely.
- Use safety goggles, safety glasses and ear protection.
- Forcing high-pressure air through your eyes can cause severe damage. Put on safety glasses and a full-face shield before you turn on the machine.
- Use the right pressure washer for the job.
- Don’t try to use a power washer on anything that is too hard to clean or that you wouldn’t want damaged by high-pressure water.
- Don’t allow anyone else to operate your machine.
- If you’re operating your machine with someone else, make sure they’re aware of safe work practices and know how to stop the machine if something goes wrong.
Read on more manuals and safety practices from the booklet given when you buy pressure washer machines from Giraffetools and collection.
