How to Choose & Buy a Pressure Washer

Pressure washers are ideal for a range of cleaning jobs around the house, and have two main uses: cleaning, and removing paint from surfaces.

Here are some useful hints and tips to consider when choosing a pressure washer.

How to Choose & Buy a Pressure Washer - Introduction

Using a powerful water pump, a pressure washer blasts out water at a high pressure - usually through a trigger gun hose.

Pressure washers have increased in popularity over recent years, partly due to the increasing interest in DIY.

One of great things about pressure washers is their multi-use design. The powerful blasts of water are enough to remove paint from ironwork, as well as cleaning patios of grime, car washing, and even cleaning spray paint from walls!

Most models of pressure washer use cold water to clean, but for certain jobs such as car washing, some models can also use detergent and warm water.

Pressure washers come with range of settings, and depending on the model you choose, a variety of uses and accessories. Prices vary too, so it?s important to find a pressure washer which suits your needs.

How to Choose and Buy a Pressure Washer - Types

One of the first things to consider when choosing a pressure washer is the level of power that will suit the range of jobs you intend to carry out. Too little power will be insufficient to clean or remove paint properly, while too much power could damage the surface that you?re cleaning.

Pressure washers can be categorised according to the power settings that match each cleaning job, as follows:

Light duty: Typically using around 100 bar pressure, a light duty pressure washer will clean most types of garden furniture, barbecues, outdoor toys, garden tools, bicycles, motorcycles and rubbish bins. When cleaning motorcycles you should take care not to aim the water directly at any vulnerable parts, to prevent damage.
Light to medium duty: Offering from 100 - 110 bar pressure, a light to medium duty pressure washer will clean guttering, cars and trucks, boats, wooden fences, lawnmowers and hot tubs.
Medium to heavy duty: Over 110 bar pressure is suitable for cleaning brickwork, patios, decking and concrete drives.

How to Choose & Buy a Pressure Washer - Features

Key features and accessories to look for when choosing a pressure washer include:

Flow rate: This is the amount of water delivered from the pressure washer over a 1 hour period.
Bar: The measure of the water pressure. The correct level should be applied to each cleaning job.
Bar rated water pressure: This is the average water pressure measured over time.
Motor size: Measured in watts, this determines the power of the pressure washer. The higher the value, the more powerful the motor.
Detergent tank: Holds detergent for easier cleaning.
Dirt blaster: Special tool to remove stubborn dirt.
Wash brush: Convenient tool for washing surfaces and objects.
Jet lance: For cleaning hard to reach areas.
Safety valve: For preventing excess pressure build-up.

You should always adhere to the safety instructions and guidelines when using a pressure washer, and ensure that you?re wearing the appropriate clothing.

How to Choose and Buy a Pressure Washer - Warranty & Budget

A warranty ensures that your new pressure washer will be repaired or replaced, if it develops a fault (providing certain conditions are met). It?s worth comparing the warranties offered by different retailers and manufacturers, and considering paying a little more for an extended warranty for the more expensive models of pressure washer.

It?s a good idea to set a limit on the amount of money that you?re prepared to spend on a pressure washer, and not to pay more for features that you won?t use. By comparing prices between different online retailers and taking advantage of special offers and discounts, you could get a better model of pressure washer than your budget would normally allow.