I almost ruined my neighbor's siding with a pressure washer

I was cleaning my deck in Portland last Saturday and decided to do a quick pass on the shared fence, but the 3000 PSI stream caught the edge of my neighbor's vinyl siding. It instantly gouged a two-inch strip, exposing the foam underneath. I shut it off, went over to explain, and we agreed I'd cover the repair cost from a contractor they trust. Has anyone else dealt with a similar property damage oops and how did you handle the bill?

3 comments

3 Comments

brooke4753mo ago

Totally agree with hugobarnes about keeping things civil. I did something similar last year, but with a garden edger that took a chunk out of their sprinkler line. Felt awful, but just paying their plumber's bill straight up was the easiest fix.

abby_chen1mo ago

Haha I can totally picture that plume of siding dust just shooting out while your brain goes "well that's gonna cost me." My buddy did this to his own house last summer except he was aiming for moss on the roof and ripped a chunk of gutter off instead. The pressure washer giveth and the pressure washer taketh away I guess. At least vinyl siding is pretty cheap compared to like, accidentally turning someone's cedar shake into confetti.

hugobarnes3mo ago

Yeah I saw a post last week where someone did the same thing to their own garage door. Honestly just paying for the fix like you are is the best move, it keeps things civil with the neighbor. Sucks about the cost but it's better than a feud over some siding lol.