Why a pressure washer

Time after time, pressure washers deliver a “WOW FACTOR” from users. It’s amazing to watch the expressions on people’s faces as they transform a grimy patio or a moldy fence into like-new condition right before their very eyes. And once that project is done, they come up with a half a dozen more to do. Power washing is addictive in a way. That’s why over the past decade, owning a pressure washer has become almost as common as owning a lawnmower for homeowners---it’s outdoor cleaning at its best.

Below, you’ll find helpful information to assist you in selecting a pressure washer, but as always we encourage you to give us a call so we can ensure you purchase the best option to meet your specific needs and budget.

Pressure Washers – Outdoor cleaning projects

Some terms you need to know (there are more at the end)

PSI (pounds per square inch)

PSI is the water pressure. Its what gives you the power to penetrate and lift dirt, grime and various stains from the surface you are cleaning. Think of it in teams of how fast is the water coming out the nozzle.

GPM (gallons per minute)

GPM is the flow of water delivered to the surface area you are cleaning and is measured per minute. It flushes away the bad stuff. Think of it in terms of how much water is coming out the nozzle to cover a given area.

Cleaning Units (PSI x GPM = CU)

Cleaning units is what it’s all about. PSI and GPM combine to give you a true read on cleaning power. The more cleaning power you have the faster you will get the job completed.

Types of pressure washers

There are two basic types of residential pressure washers, electric powered and gas engine powered. Electric pressure washers generally produce 1000-1800psi and are limited to cleaning smaller surfaces and more delicate items like automobiles, boats and patio furniture. Gas pressure washers generally produce 2000-4000psi and are capable of cleaning a much broader range of surface areas and items.

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Electric Powered Pressure Washers

Pros:

• Lower acquisition cost vs. gas powered units
• Lower maintenance – no gas and oil need
• Lower noise
• Good for cleaning small areas and delicate surfaces

Cons:

• Limited uses vs. a gas powered unit
• Poor performer on larger surface areas-very time consuming
• Need to plug into an electrical outlet for power

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Gas Powered Pressure Washers

Pros:

• Can tackle a wide variety of outdoor cleaning tasks
• Can clean larger areas more quickly
• No need for an electrical outlet
• Designed for more frequent use

Cons:

• Higher acquisition cost vs. most electrics
• Gas, oil and engine maintenance needed
• Higher noise levels

Choosing the Right Pressure Washer

When selecting the right pressure washer for your needs there are three primary things to consider:

• What types of projects are you going to use it for? Don’t just think about the project at hand, but think about all the outdoor items you could use your pressure washer on. The more power you have, the more use you will get out of it.
• How often do you think you will use it? Daily, weekly, monthly or yearly? If you are only going to use it a couple of times per year, you don’t have to invest in more durability.
• How fast do you want to get through the cleaning jobs? Cleaning time is a bigger deal when you want to tackle large surface areas like decks, driveways, patios and fences.

Light Duty	Medium Duty	Heavy Duty
Size	Size	Size
Smaller projects	Medium projects	Larger projects
How Often	How Often	How Often
Occasional use	Regular use	Frequent use

Application	1000 PSI	2400 PSI	3000 PSI	4000 PSI
Charcoal Grill	x	x	x	x
Bicycle	x	x	x	x
Automobile	x	x	x	x
Deck		x	x	x
Wood Fence		x	x	x
ATV		x	x	x
Boat		x	x	x
Siding		x	x	x
Driveway		x	x	x
Paint Surface Prep		x	x	x
Semi Trailers			x	x
Farm Equipment			x	x
Construction Site			x	x
Paint Stripping				x
Graffiti Removal				x

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Features – Pressure Washers

Engine
The engine matters. It’s the heart of a gas pressure washer. Look for a well-known engine brand like Briggs & Stratton or some of the other top brands to help ensure that your equipment is reliable and durable.

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Accessory and hose storage
Having on-board accessory and hose storage is a convenience must. It’s not only a great to have while using your pressure washer, but keeping everything in one place when storing your unit is the key to not losing stuff.

 

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Nozzles
There are two types of nozzles, adjustable and pro-style replaceable tips. Adjustable nozzles are the most convenient to use as there is no starting and stopping needed to change the spray pattern. These nozzles work great for most residential projects. Pro-style tips tend to be sold with heavier-duty machines and offer the user more precision over spray patterns, but on the down-side it’s a pain to keep changing out the tips.

 

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Terms

Adjustable Spray Wand
Some models are equipped with an adjustable spray wand that you can adjust the spray angle by turning the tip.

Automatic Cool-down System (Thermal Relief)
Cycles water through pump when water reaches 125 - 155 degrees F. Warm water will discharge from pump onto ground. This system prevents internal pump damage.

Axial Cam
A device (cam) used to transform the rotary motion of the motor/engine into the reciprocating motion of a pump's pistons.

Cleaning Units (PSI x GPM = CU)
Cleaning units is what it’s all about. PSI and GPM combine to give you a true read on cleaning power. The more cleaning power you have the faster you will get the job completed.

Detergent Injection System
Cleaning detergents are drawn into water stream to make cleaning more effective by allowing detergents to saturate the soiled surface.

GPM (gallons per minute)
GPM is the flow of water delivered to the surface area you are cleaning and is measured per minute. It flushes away the bad stuff. Think of it in terms of how much water is coming out the nozzle to cover a given area.

High Pressure Outlet
Connection for high pressure hose.

OHV
Same as "overhead valve", an improved way to control exhaust and intake valves on internal combustion engines.

PSI (pounds per square inch)
PSI is the water pressure. Its what gives you the power to penetrate and lift dirt, grime and various stains from the surface you are cleaning. Think of it in teams of how fast is the water coming out the nozzle.

Purge
A method of eliminating air from a pressure washer so that starting the engine is easier.

PW
Same as "pressure washer."

RPM
Same as "revolutions per minute." The amount of revolutions (turns) an engine makes in one minute.

Side Valve
A type of internal combustion engine that uses a conventional "L" type cylinder head with the exhaust and intake valves on the side of the engine.

Spray Gun
Controls the application of water onto the cleaning surface with a trigger.

Thermal Relief
A technique use to reduce the build-up of high temperature water within a pressure washer pump caused when the spray gun trigger is closed.

Turbo Nozzle
A device used to increase the effectiveness of high-pressure water, by spinning a narrow stream of water in a circle at a high speed.

Un-loader
A device used to relive the water pressure within the pump whenever spray flow is blocked.

Variable Pressure Control
A pressure washer feature that adjusts the water pressure to the specific cleaning task.