What You Need To Know About Pressure Washers
If you are a clean freak, pressure washers are a must. Even though most people don’t even bother getting a pressure washer. They will just simply place their thumb in front of the water hose and start cleaning. While it works for some situations, you will actually need more pressure for cleaning tough stains. This is why pressure washers are becoming insanely common for domestic use as well.
Selecting the right pressure washer can be an intimidating task at times, this is why people let professionals do this work only. If you are one of those people who are selecting a pressure washer for the first time. Don’t worry we have got you, here is everything you need to know in order to get a perfect pressure washer.
Types of pressure washers
There are basically two types of pressure washers available; gas pressure washers and electric pressure washers.
- Gas pressure washers
Gas pressure washers are powerful machines. These are mostly used for professional use only. The best gas pressure washer can offer pressure up to 3,000 PSI. These are excellent for cleaning concrete or sideways. You can use it for cleaning slides before painting them. The only problem with these pressure washers is that they are heavy and loud. If you are looking forward to using them around the house, this might not be the right option for you.
- Electric pressure washers
Electric pressure washers offer comparatively less power as compared to gas pressure washers. These are best for domestic cleaning. You will be spending less money on these and the best part is that these do not make a lot of noise. You will be able to clean without waking up the whole neighborhood.
Understanding GPM and PSI
When you are out there hunting for pressure washers, you will be seeing a lot of these terms. Still, wondering what it means? Keep reading to know.
- GPM
It stands for a gallon per minute. It is the amount of water, which leaves the hose every minute. For faster cleaning, it is better to get a unit that has a higher GPM. More water means better cleaning, you can do the math further.
- PSI
Pounds per square inch, it is the pressure of water. Higher pressure means better cleaning. Each pressure washer offers different pressures, choose wisely according to the type of cleaning you are looking forward to doing. The best pressure washer is the one that offers PSI and GPM according to your needs.
What are nozzles? How to choose them?
With every pressure washer, you are going to find a set of nozzles. Each one of these nozzles offers different water pressure and spray range. So, how are you going to decide which one is better for you?
Each one of these nozzles is color-coded. You will be able to easily differentiate between them.
- Zero-degree-nozzle:
It is color-coded in red. It is able to offer the highest pressure. The spray range is pointed, which means that you will only be able to clean the area you are specifically targeting. It is only meant to be used on hard surfaces like concrete.
- 15-degree-nozzle
It is yellow in color. The spray range is wider as compared to the 0-degree nozzle. It is excellent for preparing surfaces for painting. You can also use it for stripping paint from wood, masonry, or metal.
- 25-degree-nozzle
It is green. The spray range is wider and water pressure is just perfect for cleaning all the dirt without damaging the targeted area. It is best for cleaning driveways, patio furniture, decks, vehicles.
- 40-degree-nozzle
It is color-coded in white. It offers the widest spray range. It is perfect for cleaning fragile targets like windows and cars.
- 65-degree-nozzle
It is a soap nozzle and it is color-coded in black. You can use this for spraying soap over the targeted area. It will help in making the whole cleaning process much more efficient.
Final words
We hope the information was useful and helped you in making an informed decision. There are many things you should check before buying a pressure washer, but checking the PSI and type (gas or electric) should be at the top of your list.