Pressure washers are amazing and efficient cleaning tools that are great for just about any pressurized cleaning job!
Since pressure washers are such useful tools, it’s no wonder there are many options out there. However, the type of pressure washer you should use if far less important than the actual pressure you should use.
The pressure is what gets the job done; it is important to know the pressure intensity you will need before you start shopping for a pressure washer.
When you’re looking for a pressure washer, consider the machine’s PSI.
PSI is the measured power of a pressure washer in pounds per square inch. Essentially, PSI measures how much pressure a stream of water has when impacting a surface.
Some pressure washers have very high PSI while others have lower PSI. So, before committing to a pressure washer purchase, know the pressure you’re going to need to complete the job.
Electric Pressure Washers – 1300-2000 PSI (Easy)
Most home style, small tasks you will be working on with a pressure washer won’t require more than 2000 PSI to complete.
These jobs include washing vehicles, outdoor furniture, decks and patios, and general smaller and lightly soiled surfaces. For these types of cleanings, an electric pressure washer will do the job effectively.
Electric pressure washers are lightweight, quiet, come with varying nozzle attachments, and can handle just about any general cleaning task and register between 1300 – 2000 PSI.
Gas Pressure Washer – 2000-3000 PSI (Medium)
If you are looking for a pressure washer to handle medium tasks and stains, then you will likely be looking for a pressure washer that has a higher PSI.
Typically a medium powered pressure washer will fall between 2000 – 3000 PSI. This water pressure level is great for cleaning patios, decks, siding, fences, vehicles, and boats.
This type of pressure washer is typically a gas powered pressure washer. Gas pressure washers are more heavy duty, loud, and take more to maintain, but will get the job done quickly.
Gas Pressure Washer – 3000-4000 PSI (Hard)
To take care of those really difficult cleaning jobs, you’ll need a pressure washer that has a lot of power!
Typically the power of these high-level pressure washers is between 3000 – 4000 PSI. This amount of pressure can be used for stripping paint, removing graffiti, marine maintenance, surface preparation, and deep concrete cleaning.
The main pressure washer option that can produce this PSI is a gas pressure washer. This pressure washer is a powerful machine that the average person with average cleaning tasks doesn’t need to invest in. But, if you need a heavy duty machine, be sure to check out our gas pressure washer reviews.
Though the pressure washing market is full of amazing and efficient products, the average person doesn’t need anything too extreme.
It is important that you have considered what you will be using your pressure washer for before you start looking to purchase. Cost wise pressure washers have a pretty wide range starting around $90 and up to thousands for a professional model.
If price is an issue, then you’ll want to consider what the machine will be used for.
In Conclusion
Most people taking on simple cleaning chores around their homes don’t need anything more powerful than a electric pressure washer. However, a medium powered gas pressure washer could be the way to go because it has a greater PSI and the pressure can be tamed with the right nozzle. The high powered gas pressure washer is something that mainly professional cleaners will need because of the intense pressure it can produce.
So, before you invest in a machine, makes sure you read lots of pressure washer reviews, know what you need, then find the machine that will get the job done!