What Size Pressure Washer Do I Need?

What Size Pressure Washer Do I Need?There are many types of pressure washers available in the market when you purchase, and they can be of different sizes with different pressure ranges. Choosing the high-power pressure washer is just a waste of money, but you will need extra precautions and expertise to operate them. Moreover, the operating cost and the maintenance cost would be high. On the other hand, choosing the low power pressure washer might result in ineffective cleaning, reducing the working efficiency and increasing the cleaning time.

Choosing a suitable pressure washer is necessary that can be used to clean most of the objects in the minimum cost and time. In this article, we will discuss the appropriate size of pressure washer that you might need.

Different Sizes Of Pressure Washers

Pressure washers are available in many types, but there are two main types based on the power source. The first is the gas pressure washer mounted with a gasoline engine to power the pump. They provide more power but are more costly and more complex in operations. The second type is the electric pressure washer that uses the electric motor to pressurize the water stream. These pressure washers are not as consequential but are much safer and simpler to use.

Right Pressure Washer For Household Needs

Most of the household tasks can be done using an electric pressure washer. Although the power output is low, they can produce a pressure of 1800 to 2000 psi. Some high-power electric pressure washers can reach a pressure of 2400 psi. This pressure range is enough to clean most household cleaning jobs such as car, deck, siding, and many other jobs.

Ideal Pressure Range For Cleaning Of Different Surfaces

This is the reference table of the optimum cleaning pressure of surfaces.

  • Car wash 1300 to 1500 psi
  • Deck Surface clean 1300 to 1600 psi
  • Patio furniture cleaning 1500 to 2000 psi
  • Concrete Driveway 2000 to 3000 psi
  • Siding 1400 to 1800 psi
  • Gutter and Soffit 1500 to 2000 psi
  • Asphalt Driveway 3000 to 3500 psi
  • BBQ grill 1200 to 1600 psi

Size Of Pressure Washer

As you can see, the electric pressure washer can do most household tasks quickly, so there is no point in wasting money on a gas pressure washer. When looking for a home pressure washer, the optimum pressure should be around 2000 psi.

The size of the pressure washer is not the only thing that affects the cleaning efficiency. There are many other things such as the flow rate, use of attachments and detergents, etc.

If you want to use the electric pressure washer on the driveway, you can do it, although the recommended pressure is higher than the pressure of the electric pressure washer. Driveways and even asphalt pavements can also be cleaned by the electric pressure washer using suitable detergents. Detergent enhances the cleaning capabilities, and there are different types of detergent available in the market for other purposes.

Choosing the high-pressure gas-powered pressure washer is not recommended for homeowners, especially when not purchasing them for regular use. If you are buying your first pressure washer, then using a gas pressure washer can be a little complex for you. Moreover, the pressure range is high and not recommended for light surfaces as it can damage them. The 3000 psi pressure washer on the car surface may remove the paint. With the increased power pressure washer, the risk of injury is also increased, and there should be proper training before using them. You can avoid all of these by choosing the right size electric pressure washer for your home.

Read More: What Size Garden Hose For Pressure Washer?

Conclusion

Choosing the size of the pressure washer depends primarily on the type of job you are going to do. Pressure washers from 1000 psi to 5000 psi are available in the market but choosing the best is the key to maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness. When purchasing the pressure washer for your household needs, there would be more than 1 task you are going to do, and all of these surfaces would have their own recommended pressure range. Choosing the pressure washer of around 2000 psi is logical as it can cover most of the house surface cleaning without much trouble.

Jose Kelly