How to choose a pressure washer?

A pressure washer is a versatile tool to have in your arsenal for a number of reasons. For starters, it can be used to efficiently, easily, and quickly clean a wide range of home and commercial spaces, and various other places, such as sidewalks, patios, and residential interiors.

In fact, many real estate agents strongly recommend pressure washing a respective property before listing it for sale in an effort to increase its attractiveness and listing price. Investing in the best pressure washer can also make conventional cleaning tasks a joy, like cleaning vehicles, which usually requires a lot of time, energy, and hard work.

Also, anyone can use a pressure washer, even those with back problems, as it allows you to maintain a strong, upright posture. On top of this, setting up a pressure washer tool is literally a no-brainer, where you simply connect a water hose to the tool to the washer, add fuel or plug it in, and start removing dirt and grime.

Shopping guide

When choosing the best pressure washer for cars and other tasks, you’ll find two common types: gas and electric washers, and here’s what sets them apart.

Types of pressure washers

Gas pressure washers, as the name suggests, are equipped with motors and feature either a manual start or push button electric start. They typically generate the highest water pressure, somewhere in the range of two thousand to three thousand PSI (pounds per square inch) of water pressure.

Another great benefit of using gas washing tools is that there are no messy cords to plug in, making it easy to tackle larger cleaning jobs. Electric pressure washers, by contrast, are less powerful and don’t offer the same mobility as their gas counterparts, but on a brighter note they weigh less, cost less, and are great for light jobs.

things to consider

Since pressure washers are available in a variety of different types and pressure levels, it’s wise to first determine the tasks you’ll be using it for in order to get the right one for your needs. The pressure output, also known as the power of a washer, is measured in PSI (pounds per square inch) or GPM (gallons per minute).

And just as you might have guessed, more units equals more cleaning power, making it easy to remove even the toughest stains in less time. However, on the downside, pressure washer tools with a higher PSI and GPM often cost more than lower-rated models, but are usually worth the few extra dollars due to their superior performance.

To make your purchase decision easier, if you are going to be doing small jobs around your home, then a light duty machine with 1300 to 1900 PSI at 2 GPM is an ideal choice. Some of the tasks you can handle with this range of lightweight and compact tools include cleaning, grilling, garden furniture, vehicles, small decks and patios.

If you’re looking for a washer for home and commercial use, then you’ll need to upgrade a couple of notches with a medium-duty gas pressure washer. Medium-duty pressure washers generate 2,000 to 2,800 PSI at 2 to 3 GPM, and are equipped with premium components that together provide more power to clean things like fences, siding, driveways, and walkways.

For a pressure washer for everyday commercial use, you should consider a model that offers 2,800 PSI and 3-4+ GPM. These are suitable for cleaning jobs such as paint stripping, graffiti removal, washing a two-story house, and large-scale cleaning jobs.

If you’re not sure what tasks you’ll be using your pressure washer for, whether light or medium, check out models that let you adjust the pressure and water flow when needed. Other types of washing tools worth mentioning are cold water pressure washers (great for cleaning cars, removing loose paint, dirt build-up, etc.) and hot water pressure washers (great for industrial and agricultural use). ).

things to consider

Whether you choose the best gas or electric pressure washer, the underlying functionality remains the same. When water enters the machine at low pressure, the built-in electric motor or gasoline engine pumps the water through a hose and then an attached spray nozzle.

Speaking of which, the best small pressure washers and even large models come with a set of interchangeable nozzles or a variable spray wand all in one. While the latter allows you to adjust the water pressure with a turn or two, nozzle sizes vary and include 0 degrees (most powerful), 15 degrees (for heavy duty cleaning), 25 degrees (general cleaning tasks) and 65 degrees (low pressure). nozzle).

Most, if not all, of the best pressure washers come with a variety of accessories, so you can use the machine for your specific needs right out of the box instead of buying each accessory separately. Pressure washer accessories include electric gun and lance, hose and hose reel, nozzles, and some even come with detergent.

Pressure washers for the most part are heavy machines, so they can be difficult to lift and transport. This makes it important to buy the best priced pressure washer that is equipped with a sturdy set of wheels for easy maneuverability.

Safety

The fact is that more than 6,000 people end up in the emergency room each year with pressure washer-related injuries. The high pressure of pressure washers can tear your skin apart, sometimes leaving you with irreparable damage.

Regardless of the machine or tool you use, the first and most important thing to learn is how to use it correctly and without causing any harm to yourself or those around you. In addition to reading pressure washer safety tips, it is highly recommended that you read the manufacturer’s user guide on how to properly operate the machine.

Pressure Washer FAQs

Question 1 – Water flow or pressure? Which is more important?

Both are equally important and actually work in sync with each other! For example, if you want to clean stubborn dirt and stains, you’ll need both a high pressure boost and high water flow to quickly remove dirt.

Question 2 – Should I buy a pressure washer?

Just because your neighbor has a pressure washer doesn’t mean it will offer the same ease of use for your needs. However, if you are going to be cleaning your RV, car, caravan or washing your patio, then you should not think twice about buying the best pressure washer for home use.

Question 3 – What detergent to use?

This entirely depends on what your cleaning is, as some tasks will require strong detergents, while lighter tasks can be done with conventional household detergents. In that regard, it’s worth mentioning that most of the best commercial pressurized water manufacturers offer advice in the included user guide on which detergent works best with your appliances.