Please Don't Make the Mistake of Buying the Wrong Pressure Washer, Read This First...
Your Guide to Buying The Right Pressure Washer
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Cleaning can get a little taxing. Trash is a dirty sight to behold and it compromises the safety and health of the family. Removing graffiti takes a long time of scrubbing to clean. It is almost impossible to wash your garbage can without posing a health hazard. Spray guns can only do so much. These, and so much more, are the reasons why pressure washers are beginning revolutionize cleaning: they do the job with minimum effort, leaving the cleaner spot-less and odor-free. Thousands of business owners and households have now cut cleaning time in half. After reading this guide, you can, too.
A pressure washer is mechanical sprayer using high-pressure water powered by an electric motor or gasoline engine. The water flows through a wand with a nozzle at the end and a trigger to switch it on and off. Much like a normal garden hose nozzle which increases the outflow pressure of the water, a pressure washer adds its own power to force high-dynamic pressure. There are different nozzles available, each used for different occasions. Some nozzles are triangular and cause the water jet to be ejected on a triangular plane; some emit a thin jet of water that spirals around rapidly, while some nozzles allow detergent to be added into the water, making cleaning much easier. Now, with that point established, the most important question is this: What will you use it for?
What will you use it for?
Pressure washers are rated based on three specifications:
First is the PSI or the pounds per square inch. This measures the pressure for dirt loosening and stain removal.
Second is the GPM or gallons per minute, the measure of the speed of water flow that washes the loosened dirt; and
Lastly is the CU, or cleaning units. This is the estimate of cleaning power overall, calculated by multiplying PSI by GPM.
Here is a table of PSI ratings to aid in your decision. By comparison, a garden hose delivers about 40 PSI.
1,000 to 1,500 PSI: washing cars, bicycles, grills and patio furniture
1,400-1,850 PSI: cleaning a patio
2,000-3,000 PSI: cleaning a larger deck
2,800-4000 PSI: stripping paint and cleaning stained concrete
For personal use, the right combination of PSI, GPM, nozzles, attachment and cleaning solutions will aid in the cleaning of windows, fences, walkways, driveways and patios, cars, boats, lawnmowers, air-conditioning systems, even in weeding out vegetation growing on driveways. Experts say that on average, a pressure washer with 2000 PSI and 2 GMP can clean around 5-7 square feet per minute.
For regular homeowners who use the washer for a couple of hours a week, a cold water unit and small gas pressure washer with 2,000 PSI or a small electric washer with 1,000-1,500 PSI may be perfect for you.
Washers for commercial and industrial use are a different type altogether. Pressure washers used for 100-2,00 hours per year would need an industrial grade pressure washer with either cold or hot water. For heavy-duty cleaning in roads or a construction site needs greater pressure, water flow and horsepower.
Cold Water vs. Hot Water in Pressure Washers
Hot water pressure washers generally clean faster and more thoroughly than cold water pressure washers. Hot water washers are used to properly clean out greases, oils or petrochemicals. Most hot water washers use diesel or kerosene to heat up the water through the use of a heating coil, and thus, require electricity. This makes the hot water unit heavier and more complex than a cold water unit.
Cold water pressure washers clean through a combination of the impact of the spray with the aid of cleaning agents without oil. With the right chemicals, however, this can be remedied. Given this, they are less complicated and are more compact and portable.
Gas-powered vs. Electric Pressure Washers
Gasoline-powered pressure washers give higher pressures for more industrial applications and should only used outdoors because of the carbon monoxide, other engine emissions and the possibility of spilling gas while refueling. These reasons also make them worse for the environment. They provide the most power, but they also make more noise, they are harder to start and are more expensive to operate.
Electric pressure washers are limited in power compared to the former, but the lower power makes it safer for cleaning cars without chipping paint. These washers can only be used about 100 feet of an outlet, are generally quieter and can be used indoors.
A Few Things to Consider Before Purchasing Pressure Washers
Now that the basics are done, there are still a few things to note before finally purchasing a pressure washer of your own:
First is that more power costs more and weighs more, so to promote cost-effectivity, you should not buy more than you need.
Second, look for CARB-certified washers. The California Air Resources Board approves pressure washers that are less-polluting and emit less gas fumes.
Third, purchasing separate nozzles gives more options. There are different nozzles available, each used for different occasions. Some nozzles are triangular and cause the water jet to be ejected on a triangular plane, some emit a thin jet of water that spirals around rapidly, while some nozzles allow detergent to be added into the water, making cleaning much easier.
Fourth, some electric models require a 20-amp circuit, limiting the distance by which the washer can be used. Otherwise, a special extension cord should also be purchased.
Fifth, always consider return policies and customer service. Gasoline-pressure washers are harder to ship for service, and this is why it is important to consider a brand local service centers.
Finally, read the fine print. Some warranties do not repair a unit that had been misused or damaged a certain way. There may also be other restrictions that you may have overlooked.
Pressure washers have indeed revolutionized the way we clean. After hearing most of the factors to consider before purchasing one of your own, the only step left is to pick the perfect washer that suits your needs the best. It may sound complicated, but ultimately, researching only makes you better off in the long run.
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