Pressure washers are handy tools to have, or at least to rent, because they can do many things from simple cleaning to stripping paint. It is important to understand the complexity of this equipment and its safety hazards. You can hurt yourself or someone else with a pressure washer, and failing to take the proper safety precautions could result in structural damage. You have to follow some safety tips to ensure you won't harm anyone or anything before you start using your pressure washer.

Wear Protective Gear

When water comes out of a pressure washer, it comes out with great force, more than you may realize. That can send bits of whatever the water hits flying, including any loose debris that is on the surface being cleaned. You and anyone near you need to wear protective gear like goggles to ensure that none of that debris flies into your eyes. Remove children and pets from the area, too, lest they think the washer is a new type of sprinkler or garden hose. You don't want them running into the spray.

Test the Washer First

Pressure washers are available in different sizes and pressures, and if you're new to using one, getting the lightest pressure available might be best. But whatever pressure you get—even the light one—you need to test the washer first to ensure you know what it can do. Find a piece of wood or scrap concrete and try a few test blasts. You'll see if the pressure is too great for the material you plan to use the washer on, and you'll get a feel for how hard or easy it is to control the equipment.

Watch Out for Exterior Outlets

If you are spraying the water anywhere near a wall, avoid getting any exterior outlets wet. The water stream can enter the outlets with force and just kill the outlet's wiring. It can also potentially damage your home's electrical wiring if anything shorts out. If the exterior outlets have metal covers, ensure the covers are closed.

If you need help choosing a pressure washer or want more advice on protecting outlets and yourself, contact an equipment dealer such as Ben's Cleaner Sales that offers pressure washers for sale or rent. Alternatively, you could try hiring a cleaning service to come and do the work for you so that you don't have to worry about closing off outlets yourself and finding good safety goggles.