While our household chores have stayed relatively the same, the manner we go about them has changed dramatically over the past ten years.
Innovative home technology has made life easier, but we all are still adjusting to the implications of our teched-up homes.
For example, you may wonder if you can continue to do your chores as usual with your state-of-the-art Ring doorbell?
Your Ring doorbell is water and weather resistant, not water and weatherproof, so power washing may put your Ring doorbell at risk for some damage. While your Ring was built to still function in rain and snow, it doesn’t function in conditions like pressure washing.
In the remainder of this article, we’ll discuss why Ring doorbells can sustain damage in high water pressure situations.
I’ll also give a few tips on protecting your Ring doorbell if you’ll be pressure washing your home or expect some rough weather to roll through.
Pressure Washing Is Not Ideal for Ring Doorbells
Sometimes when you’re just knocking out your household chores, the thought of adding another one to the list can be daunting.
Pressure washing is a time-consuming task in itself, so is it really worth it to protect your Ring Doorbell?
Pressure washing can damage your Ring doorbell.
Your Ring is water-resistant, not waterproof.
While the weather is accounted for in its engineering, the intensity of pressure washing is too much pressure and water for the Ring doorbell.
If you did accidentally pressure wash your Ring doorbell and everything is still functioning correctly, you can count yourself lucky.
According to Ring support, it’s best to avoid the Ring, take it down, or protect it by covering it with something. This way, no water can get into the cracks of the device or back into the wires section.
The Difference Between Weather-Proof and Weather-Resistant
Your Ring Doorbell is weather-resistant. But is it different from weatherproof?
Actually, there’s a difference, and it’s pretty significant. Weatherproof and weather-resistant are vastly different concepts.
Weather-resistant means that something can fend off the water pretty successfully and resist damage if exposed for a short period of time. Weatherproof means that something can stand up to all kinds of weather without the structural integrity of the garment or tech being compromised.
This distinction goes the same for waterproof and water-resistant, as water-resistant materials can resist damage, but waterproof materials can ultimately withstand it.
A parallel that’ll hopefully drive this concept home is popular smartphone technology.
Some models of Apple iPhones and Galaxy phones are water-resistant but not waterproof.
It means that dropping your phone into a puddle for a few seconds probably won’t cause any damage, but you can’t record a Live Stream while deep-water scuba diving.
The same goes for your Ring camera.
Rainy weather shouldn’t do too much damage, but a full-blown hurricane or power wash will indeed cause some harm.
Pressure-washing your house can apply some pretty significant pressure, so it doesn’t fall under the category of “normal weather.”
This video below illustrates how much power your pressure washer can exert:
Your pressure washer brings tons of power, even if you’re using it on the lowest setting.
Both the pressure and power of your power washer are likely stronger than most tropical storms, and the direct exposure to the Ring camera is unexpected for its hardware.
While your Ring will probably be okay if you accidentally spray it with the hose or your sprinkler, the force of a power washer is not what the Ring camera was built for.
For this reason, it’s probably a good idea to either take down your Ring camera or protect it with something.
Below, we will go into a few ways you can protect your Ring doorbell from water damage caused by the power of a pressure washer.
These suggestions might also be helpful if you live somewhere with lots of rain or adverse weather.
Though it just adds another thing to your to-do list, it’ll be worth it, in the long run, to protect your Ring from damage.
How To Protect Your Ring Doorbell
Pressure washing is a grand enough task on its own.
But if you invest in your Ring doorbell and aren’t ready to buy a new one, you might consider taking some time to protect it.
The best way to protect it is to cover it with something or remove it temporarily.
Most doorbell cover products for the Ring prevent theft but aren’t necessarily helpful for pressure washing.
If you can make something that’ll cover your doorbell, like a plastic container you can stick to the wall, it might do the trick.
Another simple method is just to avoid the Ring doorbell when power washing.
Direct your power washer away from the spot your Ring is sitting in and wash that space carefully with a spray bottle and cloth.
Even if you find a cover suitable for protection, you should avoid the Ring.
It may not be an option if you’re pressure washing to lift heavy residue or because you plan to paint.
In this case, it may just be best to remove your Ring temporarily, as paint can damage the Ring as well.
If you’re more worried about weather than anything, you can purchase a doorbell awning to help deflect direct exposure from above.
The Haikang Camera Cover available on Amazon, for example, is easy to install but maybe an eyesore depending on your home’s aesthetic.
Regardless, the shield will help protect your Ring from damage from above.
Conclusion
If you plan to pressure-wash your home, don’t forget about your Ring doorbell.
Ring Doorbells are weather-resistant but not weatherproof.
While Ring built your doorbell to resist water and weather, it can’t withstand the type of pressure your pressure washer will apply.
Despite their resistant nature, prolonged exposure to the elements can cause significant damage.
It’ll just be a slower road to the damage than a non-weather-resistant doorbell.
