How to Safely Use a Pressure Washer (They Can Be Dangerous If Used Without Caution)
Last Updated on December 17, 2021 by Mark Johnson
It’s critical to be careful when you use a pressure washer. Let me give you three reasons why. First of all, different PSI pressure washers are dangerous. Water jet cutters, that have 90,000 PSI and above, can penetrate through cold, rolled stainless steel! Pressure washers can produce sufficient force to damage wood and even concrete. Secondly, you wouldn’t want to fall backward because of the enormous recoil it produces. Couple that force with a slippery floor and you get a serious injury somewhere in your body. Lastly, you can get hurt by the jet spray. It could even lacerate you.
In order to prevent injuries, do follow these tips on how to safely use a pressure washer:
DO:
- Make sure you’re wearing safety goggles, pants, ear protection, and gloves. Also, your shoes should be closed-toe. Protective equipment can help you avoid injuries.
- Wash a small area first. Preferably, find a hidden space for this pretesting.
- Grip the gun assembly firmly and properly.
- Engage the safety latches when you’re not spraying. They prevent water from accidentally coming out.
- Be careful when you’re moving the washer because its engine and motor can turn hot when used for a long time.
- Ensure that you’re using the proper high-pressure nozzle to avoid damaging the wood.
- Release any pressure after you turn it off and before you disconnect the hoses and nozzles. Do this by squeezing the trigger.
- Plug it into a GFCI outlet that’s properly grounded.
- Stay at least 6ft. away when you’re spraying water around power lines or outlets.
- Read the manual—not just the first page, but the entire manual. They usually have 10-15 pages. Read before you clean.
DON’T:
- Point the pressure water at any person or even pet. It can pierce their skin and cause cuts.
- Use pressure washers when you’re working from ladders. The kickback force can throw you off balance and off the ladder. Even if your ladder is only 3ft. high, when you fall from it the wrong way, it can cause serious injuries.
- Allow children to run around or play near the pressure washer when in use.
- Use a gas pressure washer in an enclosed space. Combustion engines emit carbon monoxide which is a poisonous gas. You wouldn’t want to inhale that. Plus, it would sound louder in an enclosed area.
- Use the red tip pinpoint jet nozzle. Never underestimate high-pressure injective injuries!