Pressure Washer Buyer's Guide

With all the different types of pressure washers on the market it can be confusing selecting the right one for you. We’ve put this guide together to educate you on some common questions we recieve.

Questions to Ask Yourself

What are you cleaning?
Cleaning decks, trucks, buildings, parking lots, concrete all have different requirements. Hot water, cold water, hours of use, all of these come into play at different levels depending on what you are cleaning.

Cold or Hot?
Cold water pressure washers are cheaper but not as effective as a hot water pressure washers. Budget and type of use will determine this factor.

How often are you going to use the machine?
Cleaning a car at home once every few weeks take considerably less time than cleaning a parking lot every week. The more hours you put on your pressure washer the more industrial it needs to be.

Gas or Electric?
This is mostly about portability. Gas engines are best when you need to move the pressure washer alot but they cannot be used indoors. Electric motors are quiet and emit no exhaust, so they are perfect for indoor use but require access to electric power.

Power Washing Terms

Pounds Per Square Inch(psi)
You’re going to hear alot about psi when buying a pressure washing unit. PSI is the amount of pressure or force the unit can put out. Higher psi equals more powerful and better cleaning efficiency.

Gallons Per Minute(gpm)
GPM is the measurement of waterflow. For a pressure washer to work you need water, the more the better. Having a 3000psi unit with low gpm isn’t going to do you much good. Having a high gpm rate will increase your cleaning ability greatly.

Horse Power(HP)
Most of you know about horse power and cars, but what does it mean for a pressure washer? Horsepower can increase the psi and gpm of a pump. It is also critical on larger pressure washers that may have burners, generators, lights and other power drains.

Amps
Amps are the measurement of power for electric motors. While horse power is usually rated on electric motors it is important to remember an electric motor is twice as effecient as a gasoline motor. What that means is a 2hp electric motor is equal to a 5hp gasoline engine.

Nozzle Tips
This is what gives you that pressurized spray. A small but critical piece of a pressure washer, too big or too small a tip can damage a pressure washer severely! Tips come in nozzle sizes and fan patterns. Fan patterns are usually 0,15, 25, or 40 degrees. A nozzle’s size depends on the psi and gpm of your machine. There are also a number of speciality tips like turbo nozzles.

Cleaning Units
Cleaning units are an easy way to compare machines. To find a pressure washers cleaning units multiply the psi by the gpm(PSI x GPM). The higher the number the more powerful and efficient the unit.

Putting it all together

What’s most important: HP, PSI, GPM?
So now you know what everything is, so how does it all go together. First you need to determine the minimum psi needed for your application(see chart below). After you determine the psi you need look to the gpm rate. Pressure without flow does little for you, the higher the gpm the quicker your cleaning will be. Remember you can’t make a small pressure washer more powerful but you can make a large pressure washer less powerful.

Belt Drive or Direct Drive?
This refers to how the pump is connected to the gas engine or electric motor. A belt drive unit uses pulleys and a belt to tranfer power from one to another. A direct drive unit has the pump connected directly to the power source via a shaft. Both of these system have their strong points and drawbacks.
Direct drive units are often more compact and cheaper than a belt drive. However direct drive units don’t last as long and aren’t very industrial. Heat and higher rpms shorten the life of a direct drive pump. Also any problems with the power source will directly affect the pump and visaversa.
Belt drives, although more expensive, are more industrial and generely last longer. Being seperated from the motor protects the pump from heat, vibration, and any problems with the power source.

Hot or Cold Water?
This depends on what you are cleaning. If grease, oil, or bacteria is a problem then you need hot water. Hot water can also speed up the cleaning process along with activating some chemicals and detergents.
Hot water pressure washers cost more, they are more complex and are larger. The water is heated using a coil, the larger the coil the hotter the water. A burner(natural gas, diesel, or propane) is used inside the coil to create the heat. If you decide on a hot water pressure washer you then need to decide your size and budget. Talking to a qualified sales rep is a must at this point to insure you get whats best for you.

Portable or Stationary Pressure Washer?
Do you need to go to the dirt? Then this might be an easy question to answer. If your cleaning is confined to one place then a stationary unit may be right for you. Also consider service and repairs may be more expensive if a technician has to go to the unit instead of you bringing it to them. If you need in all-in-one unit a portable trailer unit could be the best option.

What Other Equipment Will I Need?
There are many accessories for pressure washers, most of which help you clean faster. Hose reels are probably the most overlooked accessory, not only are hoses a headache to roll up but a hose reel can greatly increase the life of your hose. There are also different nozzles, wands and chemicals to consider.

What type of maintainance should I expect?
Like any equipment, pressure washers require maintenance to get the longest life and best performance from the unit. When you buy your pressure washer macke sure that you talk to someone about what maintenance it will need. Changing the oil, greasing fittings, replacing o-rings, adjusting and cleaning are all regular maintenance items. Also make sure when you buy a pressure washer that replacement parts and service technicians are readily available; many times when buying a machine for a great deal it means that corners have been cut and parts will not be available to you when you need them.

What about brands?
We at Steam Cleaners Inc. sell a variety of brands so that we can deliver the right product and price for you. Each brand has its selling points, an important point to check is if the product is made in America. American made products are usually higher quality and parts and service are easier to come by.

Pressure Washer Safety

Saftey relief valve
Also known as a pop-off valve, it relieves pressure when it reached dangerous levels. This should be located inbetween the pump and coil.

Automatic shut-off switch
This can shut-off one of two things, the motor or the burner. When there is insufficient flow of water the motor and pump are shut off to prevent damage. Another shut-off switch will shut off the burner when there is no flame detected to prevent excess fuel getting into the burner chamber and causing a fire.

Float Tank/Filter
Both devices prevent debris from getting into your pump.

Thermostat
Can control the heat of water.

Nozzles
Always use the correct size nozzle for your machine. Too small a nozzle can increase pressure inside your pump and coil; too large a nozzle can also cause stress on a pump and unloader.

Chemicals
You should always wear safety glasses when spraying chemicals. Use only recommended chemicals when injecting them through a pump. Use a down-stream injector when using caustic chemicals/soap to preserve the life of your pump and coil.

Ladders
Don’t pressure wash while on a ladder. Use an extension for reaching high areas.

You Are Now Ready

You should now have a firm understanding of pressure washers and be ready to make an educated purchase. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, we do this everyday and might not have addressed everything in this guide.