3 Mistakes To Avoid When Using A Pressure Washer To Clean Your Garage Doors
Posted on: 1 March 2017
The finish of most modern garage doors is fairly resilient, but that will not mean that you will not have to occasionally clean it to get rid of grime and dirt. A pressure washer is a useful tool to have around for a lot of reasons, but it's especially useful when it comes to cleaning the garage door. However, there are some mistakes you can make when cleaning your garage door with a pressure washer that can easily cause costly damage. Check out these mistakes to avoid when using a pressure washer to clean the exterior of your garage door.
Mistake: Spraying the glass windows with the pressure washer.
Why? If your garage door has glass windows installed, it is best to keep the aim of the pressure washer nozzle away from these areas. If the pressure is too high, it can push the glass out of place or even cause it to break. Plus, the high-pressure water can loosen the seals that hold the glass of these windows in place. Instead, it is best to manually clean the glass with a scrub brush and warm water if needed or a towel and glass cleaner.
Mistake: Using the pressure washer to clean the moving parts of the garage door.
Why? The moving parts of the garage door, right down to the small roller wheels along the side, all work together in unison to allow the door to open and close smoothly. If you spray one of these moving components with a heavy stream of pressurized water and accidentally knock it out of place, it can compromise the door's ability to function as it should. Try brushing away dirt and grime with a dampened scrub brush or sponge and then lightly spraying with low-pressure water to gently wash away any remaining debris.
Mistake: Using a high-pressure setting on wooden garage doors.
Why? The underlying material of your garage door will have a lot of influence on how you should use your pressure washer for cleaning it. If the door is wooden, it is never a good idea to use high water pressure to blast away dirt. While this action may appear to do a good job, in the process, you can loosen and fray the wood fibers of the outer surface. This frayed and split wood can lead to further damage down the road like rot and mildew. Plus, a damaged garage door surface can make it difficult to seal the wood adequately with sealer or paint.
If you do accidentally damage your garage door while cleaning it, contact a garage door repair service for assistance.
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