This window washer is making the well-nigh of a ladder that's too brusque. But if his luck runs out, he'll pay a hefty toll for ignoring basic ladder safety rules.
Photograph: Courtesy of American Society of Home Inspectors
This window washer is making the nearly of a ladder that's too short. Only if his luck runs out, he'll pay a hefty price for ignoring bones ladder safe rules. 2 rules are being broken here. Can y'all estimate what they are?
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First, work with three points of contact with the ladder at all times: two feet and a hand or ii hands and a pes. And second, never work from the top iii rungs of an extension ladder. The painter shown below is maintain-ing three points of contact and is standing on the fourth and fifth rungs down. The wide ladder collision provides actress stability and the back up to safely reach the top of the window. Do y'all believe these 10 common tool myths?
Plus: Check out these 11 things you should never pressure wash
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Wood Siding
While it's possible to pressure wash wood siding correctly, you can also force water up and under the outside surface if your water pressure is set as well high. If water gets under the siding information technology tin can damage insulation, electric wiring, and fifty-fifty spur mold growth. A loftier-powered pressure wash could also dent aluminum and vinyl siding, so learn the proper techniques beginning if you lot plan on using a pressure level washer to clean your siding.
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Electric Panels and Meters
Practice not force per unit area wash any fixtures housing electricity, even those on the exterior of your dwelling or in your yard. Though congenital to withstand a rainstorm, pressure washing can force water into cracks and crevice and cause damage and costly repairs.
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Asphalt Shingles
Never pressure launder your roof if you have asphalt shingles. The h2o pressure strips away the granules that protect your roof. Non to mention, using a pressure washer in a high identify is dangerous— when you squeeze the trigger the powerful recoil on the spray wand could throw y'all off balance and off a ladder.
Air Conditioners
For cleaning your air conditioning unit, don't attain for a pressure washer. The intense flow of water can bend or crush the fragile fins and restrict airflow, which in plough shortens the life of the unit. Instead, straighten cooling fins using a butter pocketknife and use a vacuum and a much gentler h2o flow to rinse away debris.
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Pb Pigment
Never remove pb paint with a pressure level washer. Lead pigment should exist carefully independent when removed, not blasted into the air and surrounding surfaces.
Old Mortar
A force per unit area washer will damage weathered brick houses and other landscaping surfaces with mortar. Any loose fabric, especially on older structures, will exist blasted away by pressure washing on a high setting. Instead of a force per unit area washer, employ this method to clean hard water stains off of brick.
Living Things
This one is (hopefully) a no-brainer. Never pressure wash humans, pets, or plants. The strength of water coming from a pressure washer can crusade physical harm — even penetrate skin—and will most certainly destroy your plants. When you pressure launder appropriate surfaces, always wear prophylactic glasses to protect your optics from debris.
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Painted Surfaces That Y'all Want to Stay Painted
A pressure launder will easily chips paint off most surfaces, so just employ a low-force per unit area flow of water to launder painted items such as a porch flooring or painted outdoor furniture.
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Windows
Don't pressure wash windows! The high pressure level tin can suspension them, giving you lot a major headache and an expensive window to supervene upon. Instead, wash your windows the correct way with these tried-and-true window washing tips from professionals.
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Vehicles
Using a high-pressure wash to clean your vehicle tin cause minor dents and even chip the paint, leaving it vulnerable to rust. If yous do use a force per unit area washer to clean your car, always set it to a low-pressure setting. And never, e'er endeavour to pressure wash under the hood! It could force h2o into cracks and crevices in your vehicle's engine and cause serious impairment.
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Outdoor Calorie-free Fixtures
Though outdoor lighting tin can withstand rain and other weather elements, y'all should not pressure launder these fixtures. You'll risk forcing h2o into cracks and causing damage. Learn how to install low-voltage outdoor lighting yourself.
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Gutters
Though tempting, yous should never clean out the within of your gutters with a pressure level washer. It's all-time to remove debris by paw (or use this play a trick on), and and so rinse the inside make clean with a garden hose. Gutters can withstand rainstorms, but not the extreme ability of a pressure washer. Cull this gutter cleaning tool instead of a pressure washer.
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Stained Woods
A pressure level wash pulls stain correct off forest surfaces. If stripping stain from your deck is the task you are trying to accomplish, then smash abroad! But if you intend to proceed stain on woods, don't use a force per unit area washer to clean it.
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