How to Buy a Pressure Washer
Here's How to Choose the Right Model for You
Pressure washers may seem like a luxury purchase but they are perfect for hundreds of everyday projects around the house - capable of cleaning your car, deck, siding or fence in a fraction of the time it would take with a garden hose. Pressure washers are great for breaking down chemical bonds that cause stubborn stains – boosting cleaning power to up to 75 times that of an ordinary hose. They are also highly economical, using up to 80% less water than a garden hose. Using a pressure washer is simply a faster, easier and economical way to clean.
With all those facts under your belt, a pressure washer no longer seems like such a luxury, does it?
If you are considering the purchase of a pressure washer, there are a few pieces of information that will determine the most appropriate pressure washer and accessories for your needs. This guide will walk you through some of the choices out there and the advantages unique to each of them.
Before you begin your research, there are a few key terms you should be familiar with:
- PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch) refers to the amount of water pressure the unit creates. This delivers the power to penetrate tough dirt and grime.
- GPM (Gallons Per Minute) measures the volume of water flow. This provides the power to break down dirt and wash it away.
- CPU or CU (Cleaning Power Units or Cleaning Units) is the best indicator of performance and is calculated by multiplying the max PSI rating by the GPM flow.
More PSI doesn't mean more cleaning power – use the equation PSI x GPM = CU to figure out the true cleaning power. Some manufacturers may not yet display the CU on the packing material.
The following table will assist you in picking a pressure washer suited to your needs. Pressure washers are generally broken down into:
| Light-Duty: Occasional Cleaning Cleaning Power: 1560 – 2250 CPU; 1200 – 1650 PSI Cleaning Ability Over 10 Minutes: 10 – 19 square feet Recommended Uses: Furniture, Stairs, Lawn Equipment, Car | Medium-Duty: Frequent Cleaning Cleaning Power: 2300 – 5100 CPU; 1700 – 2550 PSI Cleaning Ability Over 10 Minutes: 10 – 19 square feet Recommended Uses: Furniture, Stairs, Lawn Equipment, Car, Fence, Deck & Patio, Garage, Driveway, Farm Equipment | Heavy-Duty: Heavy or Industrial Cleaning Cleaning Power: 6670 – 7130 CPU; 2900 – 3100 PSI Cleaning Ability Over 10 Minutes: 100 square feet Recommended Uses: Furniture, Stairs, Lawn Equipment, Car, Fence, Deck & Patio, Garage, Driveway, Farm Equipment, 2nd Story, Siding, Paint Prep |
Pressure washers are powered by either of two main power sources. Which is best for your needs can be determined by studying the different advantages of each.
Electric
- light-weight and best used on projects around the home
- provide continuous power without needing to add fuel or oil
- low maintenance, quiet, portable and easily stored
- safe to use indoors and outdoors
- limited in power but perfect for cleaning the car, deck, driveway, furniture etc.
- requires an electrical power source to operate.
| Buy Now! (view all) |
| | $379.99 at Canadian Tire Corp | $179.00 at The Home Depot |
Gas
- far more powerful than electric
- fully portable – no need to locate an electrical outlet or manage extension cords
- great for industrial-type settings and tough cleaning jobs
- emits carbon monoxide so can only be used outdoors
- requires engine maintenance like all gas powered equipment
| Buy Now! (view all) |
$820.00 at The Home Depot | $533.36 at Improvement Direct | $1,009.97 at Improvement Direct |
Tips & Nozzles
- All pressure washers feature an adjustable spray nozzle that can quickly and easily change between high and low pressure and pin-point and fan spray patterns.
- A number of pressure washers on the market include a turbo nozzle. This nozzle spins a high-pressure pin-point spray in a circular pattern to dig in and boost the effective cleaning power of any pressure washer unit.
- The wider the spray angle, the less it is able to cut through dirt.
- The size of the nozzle influences pressure and flow rate.
- Some pressure washers use project-specific nozzle tips, preset to deliver the optimal combination of pressure and flow.
- The following are optimum angle settings to achieve best results for the job:
- 40 – 60 degrees – low pressure, high flow delicate setting reduces the risk of damage and is ideal for cleaning large surfaces or applying detergents for more effective cleaning. Perfect for vehicles and patio furniture.
- 15 – 25 degrees – medium pressure and flow setting effectively removes dirt from patios and siding
- 0 degrees – high pressure, low flow maximum setting. Highly concentrated deep cleaning for tough grime and hard-to-reach surfaces. Ideal for brick and concrete, and to removing paint.
| Nozzles (view all) |
| | $379.99 at Canadian Tire Corp | $179.00 at The Home Depot |
Pressure washer tools and kits are tailored to specific cleaning projects. They increase the cleaning capacity and performance of a pressure washer, often including an array of brushes, brooms and tailored nozzles to tackle any project. The following options can really help to enhance the results of your next pressure cleaning:
Detergents can have a dramatic effect, breaking up dirt, grime, mildew and stains for faster, more effective cleaning. These detergents are specifically formulated for pressure washers and are often tailored to the project you are doing. It is inadvisable to use detergents that have not been specially formulated for pressure washers, as the pump and o-rings can be corroded, clogged or damaged.
| Cleaners (view all) |
$14.99 at Canadian Tire Corp | $19.99 at Canadian Tire Corp | $16.99 at Canadian Tire Corp |
Regular maintenance for electric pressure washers is simple as they only require that the unit be flushed out with clean water after the use of detergent. Do the same for gas pressure washers.
Gas pressure washer engines require more maintenance however. Follow these four easy steps to properly look after your unit's engine:
- Check the oil level before each use, and change it regularly to keep the engine lubricated. Your first oil change should be performed after three months and at least once per season after that.
- Replace the spark plug in the Spring to ensure a reliable start.
- Change the air filter regularly to conserve fuel and reduce the release of extra hydrocarbons.
- Use fuel stabilizer to improve starting and prevent unused gasoline from gumming up the engine.
To store your pressure washer for the Winter follow these easy steps:
- add fuel stabilizer for gas units
- then run your unit on low pressure for a few minutes
- remove the water source and pull the trigger on the wand until all pressure and water have been released
- remove the hose and wand and empty any remaining water
- pull the start rope five to six times for gas units to purge any remaining water from the pump
- prime the water pump with anti-freeze (you will find instructions on how to do this in the manufacturer manual)
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