Jet wash is often used interchangeably with pressure washing, but are they the same thing, or are they different? When you need to clean a large area, what should you use?
Jet wash is part of a power washer. This is the same as a pressure washer but with heated water, which is more suited for hard-to-clean surfaces. Pressure washing is a great way to clean larger surfaces, but soft or loose materials and fragile objects should be avoided at all costs.
If you’re confused by all of this, stick around, as we’ll discuss a jet wash, what you can pressure wash, and what you can’t.
What Is Jet Wash? (Pressure Washer)
A jet wash is the warm water part of a power washing machine, which is perfect for dirtier surfaces because heated water cleans better. It’s where a power washer differs from a pressure washer, which doesn’t use heated water.
Both devices are used for the same purpose, but they operate differently.
The devices are powered by gas or electricity, which powers a pump. That pump applies pressure to the water going through the machine, allowing you to pressure wash many surfaces.
Can You Pressure Wash Windows?
You can pressure wash windows, depending on the weather outside. But if the outdoor temperature is below freezing, it’s best not to wash your windows. A power washer on a very cold window can also make it crack because of the temperature difference.
You can wash other things when it’s freezing outside, but you may want to use a power washer because heat reduces the chance of water freezing immediately. This doesn’t include windows.
Can You Pressure Wash a Brick Driveway?
You can pressure wash a brick driveway if its foundation is solid, like concrete. Using a pressure or power washer becomes an issue if the spaces between the bricks are made with loose materials, such as dirt.
This isn’t a problem unless you use direct pressure on the loose material because it will fly out. Concrete brick driveways are the most common type but certainly not the only type available.
Don’t Pressure Wash Brick Driveways Laid On Sand
Brick driveways laid on sand should not be pressure washed if you don’t want the sand to come flying out, which is a big problem for brick driveways with sand that isn’t secured. Even wind and heavy rain are strong enough to blow the sand out of the grooves.
Even if you don’t mind the sand flying out the grooves between the bricks and re-sanding the driveway, it will eventually cause stability issues and risk its structure. Sealed sand, however, should be strong enough to withstand the pressure of the water when washing the bricks.
What Should You Not Pressure Wash?
You should not pressure wash your car engine, electronics, or wood. If you pressure wash these items, you can damage the sensitive components of your engine or electronics. Pressure washing wood can cause it to splinter and crack.
You should also refrain from pressure washing humans or animals, as this can cause severe injury. When pressure washing anything, you’ll want to wear closed-toe shoes instead of sandals, so you don’t injure yourself.
Pressure washing can result in costly damages and injury if you’re unaware of the dos and don’ts. Taking into account the amount of pressure that comes with the equipment and the fragility of the object you intend on washing is essential.
Don’t Pressure Wash Grass
When you pressure wash grass, it will come loose, and you’ll be left with dirt. You should never pressure wash a soft surface. Grass shouldn’t come into contact with any pressure unless you don’t mind the cleanup and reseeding.
If you want to water your grass, it’s best to use a watering system designed to gently water the grass. However, if a spot needs to be cleaned, you may want to use a gentle sprayer attached to a garden hose instead.
Don’t Pressure Wash Your Car’s Engine
Your car’s engine should never be pressure washed, along with other cables and fragile components that are dirty. It might seem the only way to get it over with as quickly as possible, but it should never be done.
You can use a hose or bucket of water, a cleaning solution with a degreaser, and a couple of rags to clean the engine compartment of your vehicle.
If you’re reading this article because you’re planning on deep cleaning your vehicle, you might be interested in our article that explains how to clean K&N air filters. Those filters are pretty popular, so there’s a strong possibility that you have them in your vehicles.
Keep the Pressure Washer Away From Electronics
Anything connected to electricity should not be pressure washed. Sometimes, distilled water is used to clean unplugged electronics, but this should be done carefully by hand. Pressured water should never be used on electronics because it will cause damage, and you will endanger yourself and others who might use whatever device you’ve cleaned.
Use Other Methods To Clean Wood
Your wood deck shouldn’t be pressure washed, as it could split or crack. You should also not soak it too long, as it could swell and/or rot. That’s why you should seal any wooden structures meant to be outside to keep water from getting inside the wood.
If you need to clean wood, you can use a wood-safe cleaning solution and a scrub brush. Then when you’re finished scrubbing it, you can spray it clean with a gentle sprayer attached to the garden hose.
Conclusion
You can use a pressure- or power washer to clean stubborn filth outside, but some surfaces can’t handle pressure washing. Engine compartments, electricity, cables, pipes, and other fragile objects should never be cleaned with that much pressure because you risk costly damages and injuries.
If you want to clean your brick driveway, you should only use a pressure or power washer if the grooves between the bricks are of solid material. Loose materials will fly out, mess up, and potentially lead to an unstable driveway.
