Never Use This Pressure Washer Nozzle

If you’re pressure washing just isn’t cutting it or, even worse, it’s actually doing damage to whatever it is you're cleaning, then you’re using the wrong pressure washer nozzle. You’re not alone. Putting the wrong pressure washer nozzle is the biggest mistake homeowners make whether pressure washing their siding, driveway, or car. It’s no small thing. Use the wrong nozzle, and you can do serious damage to whatever it is you’re washing. 

Related: This Pressure Washing Mistake Can Ruin Your Concrete Fast

Why Your Nozzle Matters

The nozzle is the part of the pressure washer that controls how the water is delivered. Specifically it determines the width of the spray, the intensity of the water, and the amount of pressure that hits the surface you're cleaning. Choose the wrong one and your pressure washing effort may not clean properly or could strip, etch, or gouge what you’re cleaning. 

The Biggest Mistake: Using a Narrow Spray for Everything

Whether we’re cleaning siding, dishes, clothes, or bathroom tiles, we’ve been trained to reach for whatever has the most cleaning power. When it comes to pressure washers, that means using the nozzle with the narrowest spray. The problem with that strategy is that a zero or 15 degree nozzle can do serious damage if used improperly or on the wrong surface:

• Etch concrete
• Shred fibers in wood decking and siding
• Strip paint off of surfaces
• Crack vinyl siding
• Lift a clear coat off your car

What the Different Nozzles Are For

Pressure washer nozzles are color coded to make them easier to identify, so you don’t accidentally choose the wrong. Here’s what each nozzle is for:

• Red (0°): Delivers a very concentrated high pressure stream of water. This rarely used nozzle is for blasting old paint off metal surfaces or cleaning dirt from high areas, such as a second story eve. We don’t recommend using this type of nozzle. 
• Yellow (15°): Produces a strong spray that can strip grease, oils, paint and other adhesive from heavy equipment
• Green( 25°): Ideal for cleaning boats and cars. The wide fan also works well for cleaning decks, concrete surfaces and some siding.
• White (40°): This wider spray pattern is ideal for cleaning siding, glass surfaces, and other more delicate surfaces. 
• Black (65°): This broad nozzle is commonly used to apply soaps and detergents to surfaces. 

Related: Pressure Wash Pavers Without Destroying Them

Accounting for Distance

While selecting the right nozzle is important when power washing, so too is regulating the distance between the tip of the wand and the surface you’re cleaning. As a rule of thumb you want to stay about 10 to 12 inches away from the surface. This allows you to cover a larger surface area when cleaning while keeping the pressure even and low enough to prevent damage. When you begin cleaning, start further away and slowly move closer to the surface. Test the pressure washer in an inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t cause damage. 

Bottom Line

While pressure washers can make cleaning large areas like an entire home or driveway faster and easier, they can also cause damage if you’re not careful. Choosing the right nozzle for the job and keeping the wand a minimum distance from the surface you’re pressure washing is key to effective and safe cleaning.