While pressure washing may seem like an easy, quick way to clean your property, if you aren’t extremely careful, you could end up with serious injuries. This is the type of job that needs to be left to trained professionals. Trying to DIY a pressure wash can damage your property, injure you, and even make you sick.
Why Is Pressure Washing So Dangerous?
Pressure washer sales have increased over recent years as more and more people learn about how pressure washing can speed up outdoor cleaning tasks. For those who don’t wish to buy, there are plenty of companies that one can rent pressure washers from.
However, if you want to have your home pressure washed, it is infinitely better to leave this in the hands of trained professionals. This is because many people don’t really just how dangerous pressure washing can be. It may not initially seem dangerous – it’s just water, after all. However, it’s highly pressurized water.
The water pressure washers use is so highly pressurized that it can cause permanent damage to your property and to you when operated incorrectly. Additionally, the risk of exposure to chemicals, mold, bacteria, electric shock, and carbon monoxide poisoning can result in long-term health problems.
You should only DIY a pressure wash if you are a professional pressure washer yourself who is trained and experienced.
Yes, Pressure Washing Can Make You Sick
If you’re pressure washing a surface with mold, algae, or mildew, you could end up breathing these substances in if you don’t have appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment). This can worsen respiratory problems and lead to sickness.
Skin Injuries And Risk Of Compartment Syndrome
Compartment syndrome is when air, water, and/or debris get lodged under your skin, as can happen with the extreme force used by pressure washers. It can lead to severe infection of your muscles and tissues. Left untreated, it can lead to needing to amputate the affected body part, and in the worst cases, even death.
While some injuries from trying to DIY a pressure wash may immediately present as serious, this isn’t the case. Some pressure washing injuries may initially present as relatively small. This can cause people to assume that they don’t need to seek medical attention, as the wounds seem superficial. However, if you have sustained even a seemingly insignificant cut as a result of using a pressure washer, it is crucial that you get medical attention.
Such injuries can result in soft tissue injury, deep-space infection, and even compartment syndrome.
Chemical Exposure
Pressure washing uses chemicals in order to clean your property. You shouldn’t DIY a pressure wash in an enclosed space, especially if the pressure washer you have is gas-powered, as this increases the risk of chemical exposure and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Chemicals need to be handled with care in order to avoid long-term health problems, such as nerve damage, bacterial infections, and more.
Electric Shock
Pressure washing is an interesting service in that some pressure washers are powered by electricity, even though pressure washers use water. Naturally, this causes an increased risk of electric shock, especially if you’re trying to maneuver around wires.
While many electric power washers are equipped with safety features in order to prevent electrocution, you can’t be too careful.
Not Understanding How Dangerous They Are
It’s natural to assume that a pressure washer is basically like a hose with more pressurized water. If someone tries to DIY a pressure wash without understanding just how dangerous this pressurized water is, they could end up seriously hurting themselves, someone else, and/or their property.
A pressure washer is not a toy. You cannot spray a pressure washer at someone else in an effort to be playful, the way you would a hose. It’s absolutely essential that people understand how dangerous it is to try to DIY a pressure wash in order to avoid any injuries or damage to your property.
Professional Pressure Washing Services
With how trying to DIY a pressure wash can make you sick, lead to injury, and more, it’s much safer to leave this chore in the hands of experienced professionals. A professional pressure wash is much cheaper than the medical bills you could end up with from improper use of a pressure washer, after all. It is more than worth it.
True Clean Power Wash & Seal provides professional pressure washing services. Our experts know how to safely handle pressure washers so that they’re protected and your property shines. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
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