The Ultimate Pressure Washer Buying Guide: What to Look for

In just a few years, the DIY market is set to pass the $14 billion mark.

As more people take on big projects, they’re buying more and more equipment to get the job done. If you’re new to pressure washers, a pressure washer buying guide will help ensure you get the exact tool you need.

Read on for five tips to ensure you buy the right tool for the job.

1. Learn the Basics

Understanding how pressure washers work can help you understand what you’ll need to get your work done. Most of them use an engine or an electric motor to get a pump going that will move the water through your system. Water is then forced through a nozzle that concentrates it to wash off dirt and debris that’s stuck to surfaces.

If you have a deck or a driveway that has been ravaged by birds or can’t be easily cleaned with a mop and bucket, a pressure washer can help. It peels off what you don’t want on there without bothering your finish or your paint. You get the work done in far less time than it would take to scrub things clean.

While some people think that a power washer works like a heavy-duty garden hose, it’s actually much more powerful. Often, they spray water jets that are up to 80 times stronger than a hose. Their water power can even cut through some materials.

When you’re using one, be careful. Make sure that you don’t spray at or near anyone. A poorly set up or badly handled pressure washer could really hurt someone.

2. Getting to Know Types

When you’re considering a pressure washer, you could try renting or you could buy one outright. When you rent, you don’t have to worry about upkeep and storage. However, if you find that you’re going to be renting one  often, it’s often cheaper to just buy one.

Once you’ve made your decision to buy or rent, you need to determine whether you want a petrol-powered or an electric-powered pressure washer.

Petrol-powered washers can clean large areas without having to add any chemicals. They can get chewing gum right off of a surface. As you add more pressure, your nozzle will be set at a wider angle.

With a wide angle, these can clean as well as an electric washer at a narrower setting.

The downside to petrol-powered is that they’re heavy and noisy.

An electric washer offers a little less power at a much lower price. If you just have a small deck, small patio, or small projects to work on with it, this should easily suffice.

Electric power washers are usually light, give off no emissions, and don’t need a lot of maintenance.

Lower pressure means it’s harder and longer to clean, but if you’re not cleaning up huge spaces, you might be fine.

3. Get Informed About Nozzles

The biggest issues you’ll face with pressure washers is via the nozzles and how they’re configured. The angle and the intensity of the water that you’re spraying changes the power of your stream and whether or not you could damage a surface.

Your nozzle will vary depending on the brand you choose but will allow you to change your angle of spray depending on the work you’re getting done.

An adjustable nozzle is an ideal choice, as they make it easy to move from one type of spray to another. However, you can’t get specific spray angles the way you can with interchangeable nozzles.

If you want to ensure that you lower your risk of injury, avoid the zero-degree setting on an adjustable nozzle or the zero-degree replaceable tip. Higher-degree nozzles can suffice without having to take on all the risk

4. Don’t Be Afraid of Advice

Be sure you read the user’s guide once you get your hands on your pressure washer. When you’re out doing the work, make sure you stay protected too. Wear goggles, sturdy shoes, pants, and remember not to run on wet surfaces.

Start with wide spray angles and then move to smaller, sharper angles. Keep the nozzle a couple of feet away from the surface at all times.

If you’re going to change out your spraying tips, make sure you’ve turned your engine off. Once it’s down, spray the trigger towards the ground to let out any excess water sitting in the tip.

If you’re washing a surface for the first time, start with the least visible portion and see if it’s doing what you want it to do. If you’re washing a car, keep in mind that you could damage your paint job if you’re not careful.

5. Know What to Avoid

Make sure that you don’t get too close to the surface you’re cleaning. Not only could the water splash back in painful ways, but you could also do damage to your paint, ruin the surface of your asphalt, or even pop your car tires.

If you’re using a petrol washer, avoid overheating the engine by letting some water pressure out everyone now and then.

Be sure to avoid ladders. Also, avoid spraying it toward yourself, and avoid using your power washer for the first time without someone else around to help.

The Pressure Washer Buying Guide will help you with your choice

Following our pressure washer buying guide and the tips you need to remember will ensure that you buy a great tool and use it safely. When you buy the right tool for the job, the work won’t even feel like work.

At CDBS Construction we sell both petrol pressure washers from Aussie Pumps (the best in the biz in our opinion) and these are best for professional tradesmen who pressure clean for a living. We also sell smaller electric pressure washers that are perfect for builders who need a less robust option. Take a look at our range here!

If your pressure washer is part of a large landscaping job, check out our landscaping tools guide for more ideas.