Whether you are washing cars, driveways, or washing down the outside of your home, there is no tool more useful than a pressure washer. These devices can be extremely versatile when it comes to tackling a lot of tasks around the home. Unfortunately, there are more than a few makes, models, and pressure washer manufactures available on the market. When you factor this in with all the different features and ranging price tags that come along with these products, this can make your quest to finding the perfect pressure washer a difficult one.
This is why it is imperative to know exactly what each pressure washer has to offer you and understanding your exact needs. Below, you will learn some tips and information that will help you find the perfect pressure washer to meet your exact requirements. Know That More Power Means More RiskThere are certain situations when you might need a lot of power to remove deeply ingrained dirt and grime. However, there might be situations when too much power can be a bad thing. Water pressure is measured in PSI (pounds per square inch). While there are usually two basic ways to power a pressure washer, each offers different power and features. For instance, petrol-powered pressure washers are capable of pumping out anywhere from 2,000 to 2,800 PSI. On the other hand, electric models are capable of producing anywhere from 1,300 to 1,700 PSI. When it comes to stripping grime off a patio or stripping paint off vinyl siding, a gas-powered machine will accomplish the task ten times faster when compared to an electric model.However, more PSI could mean more risks as well. When washing the side of a newly painted home or a car, you have to be careful about the amount of pressure that you are applying. Too much pressure could strip the paint right off. In addition to this, petrol models usually require more caution and control. You can easily splinter wood or knock loose concrete. And, this is not to even mention that you have to make an additional purchase of petrol any time you want to utilize the device. Faster Is Going To Be LouderWhen shopping for a pressure washer, noise is a major concern for some individuals. If you are looking for a faster spraying stream with more power, you are going to have to go for the petrol-powered models. However, this means that they are going to be much louder, you are going to have to deal with the noise. Petrol-powered models usually produce somewhere around 85 decibels of noise. This is the threshold where noise becomes unsafe to the human ear, so you will probably have to wear ear protection when utilizing one of these machines.Electric models tend to produce sounds around 78 decibels when the trigger is compressed. Once you let off the trigger the motor stops running, so they are essentially silent when they aren't actively spraying. Choosing The Size To Suit Your NeedsSelecting the size of the machine that you need is fairly easy, as long as you know the tasks that you are going to be tackling. Pressure washers come in a variety of sizes and they are capable of tackling residential tasks, light commercial jobs, and professional cleaning jobs. Knowing exactly what you intend to do with the pressure washer will help you choose the size that you need.Electric – Electric pressure washer can pump out anywhere from 1300 to 1900 PSI, which makes them especially good for washing vehicles, cleaning outdoor furniture, grills, plastic play sets, decking and patios. If you pretty much plan on tackling any of the small jobs around the home, the electric model will without a doubt be your go-to model. When shopping for an electric model it helps if you go for something that is lightweight and compact in size, has a flexible high-pressure house, and comes with a variety of different nozzles. An onboard detergent tank won’t hurt either, as you can mix in special cleaning solutions and tackle those much dirtier tasks. Average Sized Petrol Engines – An averagely sized petrol engine pressure washer will produce anywhere from 2000 to 3100 PSI. These models utilize anywhere from two to 2.5 gallons of water a minute. These models are extremely useful when it comes to cleaning decking, patios, siding, fences, vehicles, heavy equipment, and boats. If you are in the market for one of these models it would be recommended to look for models that include premium overhead cams or overhead-valve engines, axial cam pumps with aluminium or brass heads, heavy duty frames, large wheels, and high-pressure hoses. This will ensure that your model will be able to handle the pressure that it is going to be pumping out. Larger Sized Petrol Engines – The largest gas engine pressure washers on the market can produce an impressive 3200 to 4200 PSI. These models utilize anywhere from 2.8 to 4 gallons of water a minute. They were more so designed for paint stripping, surface preparation, graffiti removal, construction site cleaning, and fleet maintenance purposes. The size and power mean they are excellent for tackling commercial grade jobs. So, if you are thinking about going to the commercial cleaning field, this is probably the model that you want to consider. When shopping for these models you want to look for manufacturers that include commercial-series engines, commercial-duty triplex pumps, heavy-gauge welded steel frames with solid axles, steel-braided hoses, and extremely heavy-duty pneumatic tires. Steel spray wands with quick connection couplings can also go a long way to providing you with a variety of spraying options. Always Consider PortabilityWhether you are shopping for an electric model of a gas-powered pressure washer you must always consider portability. It is safe to say that your pressure washer isn’t just going to sit in one place. In fact, you will probably have to move it from location to location just to be able to complete even the simplest of jobs. Even the smallest and most compact units can be quite heavy. This is why you always want to consider a model that offers some kind of portability.This is especially true if you are going for the larger models. Look for models that come with high-quality wheels, so that you can easily just roll the machine from location to location, additionally, this will also make storage easier. A Lengthy Spray HoseIt has already been established that pressure washers are heavy. Even the smallest models on the market can be quite heavy. So, not only is portability important, but it is extremely important to invest in a model with a rather lengthy hose. This will eliminate the number of times that you need to move the device around, and it will give you to the true freedom that you need to tackle those lengthy jobs.Detergent MixersYou will find that both petrol-powered and electric pressure washers come with a variety of features. Some of these features can be useful and some of them are just more bells and whistles that are not strictly necessary. However, the detergent mixer compartment is without a doubt necessary for any individual looking to get a good thorough cleaning. It doesn’t matter how much power, strength, or noise you have, there are going to be some situations when water and strength just won’t clean as thoroughly as you'd like.These are the situations where detergent mixers can become invaluable. These devices usually come installed on the pressure washer as an extra reservoir and they allow you to top them up with soap or detergents that are automatically mixed with water. While there are a variety of detergents and soaps available, these chemicals can provide the extra cleaning power that you need to make quick work of those tough jobs. On-Board StorageThere is much more to a pressure washer than just a motor and a wand. You might have a variety of hoses, wands, nozzles, and electrical cords. While all of these components are necessary for proper operation, they can sometimes get in the way. This is especially true when you are trying to neatly store the device in your garage out of the way. This is where onboard storage can come in handy. Onboard storage will provide you with a suitable location to roll up and store all the hoses. Most models will even come equipped with a neat little holder that allows you to safely and effectively store your wand.Not only do these storage devices keep everything neat and in place, but it prevents unwanted fraying and damage to the power cords and pressure hoses. Understanding Pressure Washer NozzlesWhen it comes to any model of the pressure washer, you always have to be extremely careful about the angle and the intensity at which the water is being sprayed. This is where you may end up chipping or stripping paint in unwanted areas. And, most of the time this has to do when users utilize the wrong nozzles. The nozzle is the device located right at the end of the wand and they can be interchangeable. Some nozzles can even be adjusted to provide several different angles, whereas others have to be completely changed out to achieve a different angle. Some of these nozzles are sold in sets that are usually colour-coded to indicate spray pattern and angle.Whatever the situation is, if you want to reduce your risk of damaging a surface, you need to understand these nozzles and when each angle should be utilized. For instance, a low-pressure nozzle is usually indicated with a black colour and it is best used for spraying on cleaning agents. If you have a pressure washer that has a detergent tank and you want to spray on a cleaning agent for extra cleaning power, this nozzle would be the one you want to utilize for the task. 40-Degree Nozzle – A 40-degree nozzle is usually indicated with a white colour. This nozzle is best when you are tackling surface that can be easily damaged. For instance, when spraying down a car or a house with wood siding, this is probably the best nozzle for the task at hand. 25-Degree Nozzle – The 25-degree nozzle is indicated by the green colour and it was designed for general applications. 15-Degree Nozzle – A yellow colour will indicate a 15-degree nozzle and this nozzle is intended for heavy-duty cleaning purposes. If you have a deck that needs to be stripped or you need to clean paint off a vinyl siding, this is the nozzle for you. Zero-Degree Nozzle – When you see a red nozzle, you can guarantee that this is a zero-degree nozzle. And, this nozzle was without a doubt only intended for the toughest of jobs. In fact, this nozzle produces such a powerful stream of water that it is usually only utilized for heavy-duty applications. When it comes to residential applications it would be best to avoid this nozzle unless you know what you're doing. Best Overall Pressure Washer - Wilks USA RX550 Pressure WasherThe Wilks USA RX550 is a very reliable pressure washer. And, it comes with everything you need to start cleaning your siding right out of the box. In addition to the include accessories – a gutter lance, turbo wand, rotary and fixed brushes and a patio cleaner – the pressure washer is backed by a 12-month manufacturer’s warranty. So, you are protected from potential financial losses related to malfunctions and damaged parts.
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