Can You Use A Pressure Washer To Get Rid Of Weeds?
Operating pressure washers can be incredibly satisfying, and homeowners use the tool to clean everything from driveways and patios to the exterior walls of their homes. Alternative uses, meanwhile, include using pressure washers to strip paint, trim trees, and remove stains from carpets and rugs. Considering this, you may wonder if you can also use a pressure washer to rid your property of weeds. The short answer is yes. But, is using the tool the best way to accomplish the task? Not always.
The truth of the matter is that it depends on the surface. If you're removing weeds from places like a driveway or patio made of pavers, you'll want to think again about blasting a high-powdered jetstream into the surface's gaps. Why? Because you could also remove the material holding the pavers in place. If, however, you're removing weeds from a surface like a sidewalk or from the cracks in a concrete driveway, then, yes, using a pressure washer to do so is another way.
Weed removal with a pressure washer
When testing an area for possible weed removal using a pressure washer, you may have to change out the nozzle tip to get the right one for the job. These nozzles control the strength of your pressure washer and some are more suitable for certain surfaces. For instance, while one nozzle may work well for concrete, it may be too strong for wood. Consult your owner's manual if you need help choosing the right nozzle; a manual will also have tips on the correct angle to hold the water stream for different types of jobs.
Driveways made of concrete are one of the typical areas requiring weed removal. They often take root in cracks from age and weathering or in crevices where more than one slab was poured to form a driveway. Dirt sometimes builds up in those spaces, providing a spot for weeds to sprout. Using your pressure washer to force out the dirt and weeds (from the root) can actually keep them from coming back in the future.
While working, keep the wand of your pressure washer no closer than a foot away from the surface and keep it moving the entire time you're cleaning. If you concentrate on one area too intently, you risk damaging even hard surfaces like concrete.
Removing weeds the old-fashioned way
As said, if you have a walkway, patio, or driveway made of bricks or pavers, it's wise to think twice before using a pressure washer to remove weeds popping up between them. You don't want to inadvertently force material out of the mortar joints when all you really want to do is remove a pesky weed. While cleaning these paved surfaces with a pressure washer is common, directing the pressure washer's high-powered jetstream directly into a gap where a weed may be growing isn't advised.
In such cases, you'll want to instead pull the weeds out by hand, using tools like a weeding knife to remove the weed by its root. Other methods include applying a vinegar-salt (or soap) solution or pouring boiling hot water over the weeds using a tea kettle or a long-neck watering can for a precise pour (also, make sure there aren't any friendly insects in the area when you do). These manual approaches to weed removal are perhaps more time-consuming, but they will also protect your property from unintentional damage. Once the weeds are removed, you can then clean the surface using your pressure washer, outfitted with the right nozzle, and directed at the surface at the right angle.