Removing stubborn dirt in the garden is an issue many of us have to deal with from time to time. What pressure washers will work best in such situations, and what exactly can you clean with such equipment?
Removing stubborn dirt in the garden is an issue many of us have to deal with from time to time. What pressure washers will work best in such situations, and what exactly can you clean with such equipment?
What can you use a pressure washer for?
Pressure washers generate a stream of water under high pressure, which makes them a great tool for cleaning in the garden. However, you will need a connection to the power supply, as well as water. The most popular washers can be plugged into a standard plug socket, but you will also come across battery or fuel powered versions.
The pressure of the water jet is typically from 100 to 150 bar. This is enough to effectively clean surfaces such as paving stones or rough fragments of your façade. Pressure washers are also suitable for washing vehicles, windows, as well as various types of garden equipment and other garden surfaces.
Types of pressure washers according to their use
Depending on their intended use, pressure washers can differ quite significantly from each other. This is a matter of both the operating parameters and additional equipment included. So before you decide which pressure washer to buy, you should carefully analyse the scope of how you intend to use it. Choosing the right device for specific needs is therefore extremely important.
High-pressure washers for washing cars
Let’s start off with a pressure washer for washing your car. Such equipment should be equipped with a foam sprayer and an additional brush. It should be able to cope not only with dried mud, but also various types of dirt that have been stuck to the surface of the vehicle for many weeks. Greasy stains are also common in this case. That is why a pressure washer for washing cars should be equipped with a system for using special detergents that help dissolve greasy stains.
Bear in mind, however, that the bodywork of cars is relatively delicate, so you should be very careful when washing it. For this reason, a pressure washer used for washing cars should have a jet pressure range of 110 – 130 bar. Jets with stronger pressure could damage the paintwork, especially in the case of older vehicles.
Pressure washers for cleaning windows
Another type is a special pressure washer for cleaning windows. Instead of a stream of water, such equipment generates steam with a pressure of 2 to 5 bar. The lower power range means you can safely clean windows and mirrors. Of course, such surfaces can also be cleaned simply using a cloth, but as in the case of removing dirt from car paintwork, you should use equipment with a lowest possible pressure range and only if you are sure that it will not damage the glass.
Facade pressure washers
Pressure washers can also be used to clean facades. In this case, you should pay attention to whether the equipment you intend to buy has a pressure regulation function. This is important, because in the case of more delicate elements you can then use a stream of water with less pressure, in order to avoid causing any permanent damage. For different needs you can then adjust the pressure of the jet.
Pressure washers for paving stones
Which pressure washer should you buy for washing paving stones? In this case, the higher the pressure the better, as you will certainly not damage paving stones in this way. Pay attention to whether your set includes a special brush for cleaning this type of surface, because in the case of more stubborn dirt you might need to additional brush it clean.
Which pressure washer will work best depends on the parameters
When choosing the best pressure washer for your needs, you should also pay attention to its technical parameters, which is of significant importance in the case of such equipment. For this reason, you should know the most important features in order to be able to choose the model that best matches your needs.
The power of a pressure washer
One of the most basic parameters of a pressure washer is its power. This is important in order to generate the right amount of pressure. Devices generating less pressure usually have a power of 1200 – 1600 watts, while those with more power up to 2500 or even 3000 watts. However, bear in mind that the power consumption will also increase proportionally to the power of the device.
Working pressure and maximum pressure
Another significant parameter to pay attention to is the working pressure and the maximum pressure. As you already know, this value depends on the power of the washer. The working pressure is the amount of force being applied under normal operating conditions, and therefore the pressure force that it was designed to run at. Its range is usually 75 – 170 bar. Bear in mind that washers with a high working pressure have a pressure regulation function, making them more universal.
The maximum pressure, on the other hand, is a value that is only reached for a short time. For washing cars we would recommend up to 130 bar. A maximum pressure of more than 130 bar is better for harder and tougher surfaces. The reason is so that you avoid the risk of the maximum pressure causing damage to the surface being cleaned.
Nozzle sets and detergent tank
Which pressure washer to choose according to your needs can also be determined by the presence of additional nozzles and an additional tank for detergents. When it comes to the nozzles, the basic one is the pressure lance. This is sometimes the only item in the set, so be sure to check this beforehand. Among the additional nozzles there is usually a rotating nozzle that allows you to direct the water stream at any angle, as well as various types of brushes and foam sprayers, helpful during mechanical removal of stubborn dirt.
If you want to additionally use cleaning detergents then make sure you choose a pressure washer with a detergent tank. And check its capacity, whether it is transparent, and how it is connected to the pressure washer.
Pressure washer hose length
The length of the hose should also be taken into account when choosing the right pressure washer for your needs, as it is this parameter that will determine the range of use. Bear in mind, however, that the longer the hose, the more it will weigh. For this reason, in order to make it easier to store longer hoses (more than 5 metres), such washers usually have a special winding drum.
Maximum water inlet temperature
Last but not least is the inlet temperature. While it may sound misleading, it is essentially the temperature of the water jet generated by a pressure washer. The general standard for such equipment are devices capable of heating water to a temperature of 40 to 60 degrees Celsius. The range of this parameter is important in such, that water with a higher temperature might burn you, but it is also more efficient for washing cars.
Which pressure washer will be best for a cleaning company?
Pressure washers are designated not only for home use. Like with many other types of equipment, here too there are commercial models on the market. These could be fuel-powered pressure washers, ideal for cleaning companies. Their key parameters are similar, but due to the specifics intention of such washers, they cost much more. Of course cleaning companies could also use standard, home-use washers for simpler jobs.
Which pressure washer should you buy – summary
Pressure washers are perfect for washing cars, cleaning facades and paving stones, as well as other home and garden items. When choosing the right pressure washer for your needs, first of all consider exactly what it will be used for. With this in mind, you can then select both the parameters and any additional accessories.
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