What Size Pressure Washer Do I Need

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Pressure Washer Buying Guide

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Pressure washers power through cleaning tasks outdoors and no two are the same. Our handy buying guide answers our customers' frequently asked questions, to assistance you choose the right pressure washer for y'all.

A pressure washer is a handy piece of kit and it's fun to apply. Watch stubborn dirt and crud wash away with little effort, taking the difficult work out of cleaning the decking, car, fence, walls, driveway, patio, garden article of furniture, wheelie bin, and more!

Pressure washing car with pressure washer

The Basics

All force per unit area washers piece of work on the same principle. The water enters the machine at a low pressure, then either an electric or petrol motor pumps the water out at a much college pressure level.

Should I go for an electric or petrol pressure washer?

Electric pressure washers are by and large more suited to home-utilize than petrol. They run cleaner and quieter, starting with a unproblematic impact of a button. Electric pressure washers are lighter and offer the ability needed for the usual home and garden pressure washing jobs. The main disadvantage is that they must be plugged in to an electrical outlet or uniform extension lead, and care must be taken not to trip over the cable or go the electrical connections wet.

Petrol pressure washers are recommended for more regular and professional employ. They are more heavy duty than electric models and sometimes offering more power. They are a better option for large scale jobs. Petrol pressure washers also offer more mobility as they don't demand to be near a ability outlet.

To summarise:

Electric

Weekend use
Light, clean, easy to use
Must be plugged in

Petrol

Daily use
Heavy duty, more power
Use anywhere

Pressure washing decking with pressure washer

What size pressure washer would suit my needs?

Pressure washer size is determined by the pressure information technology provides rather than physical dimensions, and this is measured in either the metric term: bar, or the regal term: PSI (pounds per square inch).

Force per unit area Washer Size Guide

Light duty: 100 bar / one,500 PSI and below
- Examples of light duty washing: cars, garden furniture, bicycles, motorbikes, garden tools, BBQs, bins, outdoor play equipment.
Medium duty: 100-200 bar / 1,500-2,800 PSI
- Examples of medium duty washing: fences, lawnmowers, gutters, sheds, walls, decking, patios, driveways.
Heavy duty: 200+ bar / 2,800+ PSI
- Examples of heavy duty washing: larger/dirtier walls, decking, patios, driveways.

What pressure level washer features should I expect for?

Water Flow Charge per unit

The water flow rate is usually measured in litres per minute or 60 minutes. If matched with a high PSI, a high h2o flow charge per unit will indicate very efficient cleaning and rinsing adequacy.

Motor or Engine Size

Check the watts on electric models and the cubic centimetres (cc) or horsepower on petrol models. The college it is the more powerful and heavy duty the pressure washer is.

H2o Butt Connectivity

A h2o butt connection will allow y'all to purchase a compatible accompaniment that will connect your pressure level washer to your water butt. Information technology will mean y'all can utilize the rainwater collected in your water butt for your pressure level washing, saving you coin and being kinder to the environment.

Usability Features

Features to consider, which will make up one's mind how easy your pressure washer is to use:

Wheels
Weight
Hose length
Cord length (electrical models)

Pressure washing paving on patio with pressure washer

Do I demand accessories for my pressure washer?

Most pressure washers will come with a pick of attachments suitable to a range of different pressure level washing tasks. These may include interchangeable wands, nozzles, brushes and detergents, then usually you volition accept everything you need included just further accessories and replacement parts may exist purchased separately.

If y'all are buying an electric pressure washer for the start time, you may need to invest in a suitable extension pb. Bank check the manufacturer's instructions for further information.

What can I practice with my force per unit area washer?

Here are some peachy uses for your pressure level washer:

Set surfaces for painting - whether it'south a wall, deck, fence, shed or piece of garden furniture; a good clean is essential prior to your outdoor painting jobs. Your pressure washer will blast off stubborn dirt and old, flaking paint.
Launder a bicycle, motorbike, car, van, trailer, tractor, gunkhole, etc.
Clean the patio
Wash the decking
Launder out smelly wheelie bins
Wash your other outdoor power equipment, e.g. lawnmower
Wash out dog runs/kennels, chicken coops, etc.
Clean outdoor play equipment, e.yard. slides and swings
Wash garden furniture
Wash garden tools
Clean out gutters
Clean walls, driveways, sheds, fences, etc.

Note: Be very careful with windows; especially old ones. The force per unit area might be too potent for the pane, swell or great the window. Some pressure washers take adaptable force per unit area settings, and the lighter pressure level setting may exist suitable for cleaning windows. Cheque the manufacturer's instructions.

Top Tip: Before pressure level washing, test an inconspicuous area with your spray setting and nozzle first to ensure it'due south not too potent and causing whatever harm. For example, if pressure washing paving with a nozzle that is too narrow, you may cause grooves in the surface.

Safety Tips: Always follow the manufacturer'southward instructions. Recollect the force of the spray can be unsafe. Vesture safe goggles and shoes while pressure washing, and never betoken the force per unit area washer at anybody.

For more information and advice on pressure washers, call into your local Topline affiliated store.

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