After winter, many homeowners turn to power washers (also called pressure washers) for the removal of moss, mold, algae, caked-on pollen, and dirt. Rain, wind and snow encourages grime to accumulate on siding, decks, outdoor furniture, driveways– and even cars. Power washing is convenient, safe and swift– even satisfying! However, power washers can seriously damage property if they’re operated incorrectly, which is why it’s important to know how to operate it before you begin cleaning.
What Can You Power Wash?
You may have heard that you shouldn’t power wash treated wood, a shingled roof, or a car. But the truth is, you CAN wash anything with a power washer, as long as you use the right nozzle for the job. The wrong one can actually damage concrete! The pressure ranges from extremely high to soaker mode, making it a versatile tool for washing everything from your retaining walls to your vehicles.
Choosing the Right Model for Your Needs
When choosing a power washer model, factor in the size of your job as well as the power and durability of the pressure washer.
Electric power washers tend to be smaller and quieter, though they do make heavy-duty electric power washers for certain applications. For outdoor jobs, we prefer gas-powered pressure washers because they’re more durable.
There are two types of gas pressure washers, vertical shaft or horizontal shaft models. If given the option, choose the horizontal shaft power washer. It will cost a little more upfront, but it will last longer. A standard vertical shaft power washer comes with a 100-hour life expectancy, whereas a standard horizontal shaft pressure washer comes with 400 hours of life expectancy.
GPM vs. PSI
What’s more important, Pounds per Square Inch (PSI) vs Gallons Per Minute (GPM)? While both are important, GPM determines the waterflow and the rinsing power of the machine. GPM measures the surface area. PSI is a measurement of how much pressure is needed to clean the surface. When you multiply the GPM by the PSI you get the machine’s Cleaning Units (CU). CU indicates how fast the pressure washer will do the job.
Why is GPM more important? If the PSI is too strong, the machine becomes harder to handle and less effective. In fact, too much PSI makes the machine less safe to operate.
Flat Free or Pneumatic Wheels?
When you’re choosing a pressure washer, save yourself a headache and choose flat free wheels. While pneumatic wheels provide a smoother ride, they can get punctured. Since you won’t be (or shouldn’t be) riding your pressure washer, opt for flat free wheels so you never have to worry about tire maintenance.
Stihl Pressure Washers
A few years back, STIHL came out with pressure washers that offers home owners and contractors another solid option for their portfolio. STIHL power washers are easy to start and they come with a range of cleaning attachments. Both the consumer grade and the commercial grade models come with a 25-foot, quick connect, no-kink flex hose that allow the user plenty of room to move without having to move the machine.
Quick-connect hoses are faster and more user friendly to snap together (versus having to thread them together, especially when wet). Over time, quick-connect hoses can leak, but the fix is quick and affordable. Swing by your local dealership to pick up a new O ring and resolve the issue. You can get additional hoses of varying lengths from 25 to 50 feet long to meet the demands of your job.
The trigger on the spray wand has a reverse pull-trigger, which is ergonomic and comfortable for longer use. In fact, the support handle on the spray wand rotates so it can be gripped on either side of the wand, perfect for big jobs.
One of the things to keep in mind is that power washer engines will need to be maintained similarly to other outdoor power equipment engines. Stihl pressure washers use Kohler engines (branded for Stihl and covered by Stihl), which are 4-cycle machines. Many Top Gun power washers use Honda engines. Both Kohler and Honda make reliable, durable engines. To support the longevity of your machine, make sure to use ethanol-free fuel or a fuel stabilizer and check the oil levels regularly, like you would any 4-cycle engine.
How to Use A Pressure Washer
The pre- checklist is similar for both consumer grade and commercial grade pressure washers.
Make sure the area in which you are washing is free of debris, outdoor furniture, and obstacles.
You don’t want to stop to move items while you are actively power washing. Leaving your pressure washer engine running without water flowing will cause it to overheat.
Run water through your garden hose BEFORE hooking it up to your pressure washer.
Flush your garden hose with water to rinse out any sand or dirt in the hose before attaching it to your power washer. Sediment in the pump can cause serious damage to the engine.
After you’ve flushed your hose, turn the water off. Then connect the garden hose to the pressure washer hose and turn on the water again. Pull the trigger on the spray gun to get water flowing through the machine to ensure water is present in the system when the engine starts.
Not having water in your power washer while it runs is the fastest way to ruin it.
Pressure washer engines are only cooled by the water that runs through the machine, so you want to make sure there is always water in the system before you start the engine and while the engine is running (aside from 30 seconds at a time).
When it’s time to start washing, flip your on/off switch to ON and push the throttle all the way up. Have the spray gun in one hand while squeezing the trigger and then pull the choke. By engaging the trigger as you pull the choke, there is less pressure on the engine and it will start more easily. Then SLOWLY push the choke back once the engine is going.
Know Your Nozzles
What you clean with your power washer is up to you, but it’s important to use the appropriate nozzle for each application. Nozzles create different degrees/angles at which the water sprays, which affects the power of the water. They are often color coded, so learn the color association of the different nozzles before you begin.
The zero degree nozzle (sometimes red) has no angle. The water opens up straight and is very powerful. The amount of pressure that is released can etch lines in your concrete; use this nozzle cautiously.
The 15 degree nozzle (sometimes yellow) is ideal for cleaning concrete and it’s often used to peel up layered dirt and grime on a driveway.
The 25 degree nozzle (sometimes green) offers balanced power that’s great for cleaning a deck or the siding of a house. It’s not so strong it will damage your deck, but it’s strong enough to do an effective job on moss..
The 40 degree nozzle (sometimes white) can safely wash a vehicle without peeling the paint. This is your gentle sprayer that can be used on more fragile material like windows.
The soaper nozzle (sometimes black) is for gently spraying or soaping. Most likely your Pressure Washer has a clear hose attachment that can be dropped into a container of soap, degreaser, moss killer, algae soap, etc. The pressure washer will mix the solution with the water, and then disperse it via your soaper nozzle.
The soaper nozzle is safe to use on just about anything, including shingles, making it great for treating moss or algae.
Maintenance After Use
After you’re finished using the machine, drain the water out of the wand and pump to prevent mold and corrosion. Most of us use a pressure washer a few times a year, so it’s important to make sure the fuel has a stabilizer or is non-ethanol gasoline or to protect the engine.
If you only need a pressure washer a few times a year, renting may be your best option. Stop into your local outdoor power equipment dealer and let them help you find the best power washer for your project. If you’re in Bellingham, WA, come see the team at Carl’s Mower & Saw. We’ll walk you through the different models we carry and tell you everything you need to know before you rent or buy.
Carl’s Mower & Saw, Your Experts in Outdoor Power Equipment
When it comes to year-round property care, Carl’s Mower & Saw has you covered. From dethatchers to aerators, Honda Generators, Gravely Mowers, Stihl Kombi Systems, Husqvarna Automowers, Stihl Pressure Washers and much more. We service what we sell and we rent equipment, too. Learn more online by visiting www.CarlsMower.com or give us a call 360-384-0799