Are you looking to refinish your deck? Clean your garage floor? You can keep your home looking its best with a pressure washer, and while a pressure washer is a big investment, it’s worth the outcome. When choosing a pressure washer, there are two types to consider: electric and gas.
The less expensive option is an electric pressure washer, which works great for smaller cleaning projects including washing your car, cleaning your outdoor grill, or washing the garage floor. Electric power washers can be used indoors, since they don’t run on gas, and are quieter than gas pressure washers. They are also generally easier to start.
Electric pressure washers have to use a power source, which makes them less portable than their gas counterpart. Many manufacturers recommend not using an extension cord, so the electric pressure washer needs to be directly connected to the power source.
Gas pressure washers are a great option for heavier cleaning as they have more power, which means they can clean larger areas faster. Gas pressure washers also tend to have a longer product life, and have great portability because they don’t require an electrical outlet.
Gas pressure washers produce exhaust, which means they can only be used outdoors. They are also noisier than the electric pressure washers, so it’s recommended to wear ear protection.
You can use the pounds per square inch (PSI) measurement to determine the power of the water pressure. This will help you figure out what PSI level you need for a specific project. You can use anywhere from light to extra heavy duty to clean many projects including stairs, fencing, decks, garage floors, driveways, and siding. For paint preparation, we recommend using heavy or extra heavy duty pressure washers, which will help to ensure all debris is removed from the desired area. To clean your car, use a medium duty pressure washer.
Gallons per minute(GPM) measures how many gallons of water will go through the hose per minute. GPM can help you determine how quickly your pressure washer will clean the area and the amount of debris that will be washed away.
Light Duty: 1500 to 1900 PSI (Up to 1.5 GPM)
Medium Duty: 2000 to 2800 PSI (Up to 2.8 GPM)
Heavy Duty: 2900 to 3200 PSI (Between 2.8 GPM and 4.0 GPM)
Extra Heavy Duty: 3300 and up PSI (Up to 4.0 GPM)
For a more in-depth look at choosing pressure washer PSI, read through our article, “Pressure Washer: How Many PSI?”
Both gas and electric pressure washers work the same way. A pump is powered by the gas engine or electric motor. Attach your garden hose to the water inlet. Turn on the water before the pressure washer to help avoid damage to the pump. If you want to add a cleaning solution, do this before turning on the pressure washer. The water will be released through the attached wand, and you can change the spray pattern with interchangeable nozzles. While spraying, hold the tip of the wand at least two feet away from the cleaning area and spray side-to-side, not staying in one spot for too long.
Accessories are available for your pressure washer. There are various cleaning solutions that you can choose from including degreaser, deck cleaner, wood brightener, vehicle cleaner, and more. Some cleaning solutions come ready to use, while others need to be diluted with water.
You can also find pressure washer surface cleaners, which will provide a fast clean with no streaking. These can be used for garage floors, driveways, sidewalks, and patios. Pressure washer wands and adapters can be used to replace old wands or to attach to currents wands.
There are always going to be safety precautions when using outdoor power equipment. You will want to wear eye protection to protect yourself from debris and cleaning solutions, and work gloves to protect your hands. Wear closed-toed shoes, preferably boots or other leather footwear, to protect your feet. Always make sure the unit is cooled down before storing it, and be aware of electrical wires and power lines.
