6 Mistakes When Choosing a Pressure Washer

Are you a happy owner of a country house, garage, or car? It would be nice to get a high-pressure washer to keep all this stuff clean. But it is important to avoid making a mistake when choosing it!

Choose the cheapest one because “they are all the same”

It is only externally that different high-pressure washers are similar to each other. Usually, devices are divided into two categories by functionality:

• Household models – with a working pressure of 20 to 120 bar. They are used to wash cars, garden furniture, bicycles, and motorcycles.
• Professional washers – with a working pressure of about 200 bar. They are used for cleaning cars and trucks, yachts, sidewalks, building facades, and other large objects.

Hobbyist devices differ from each other in several elements:

• type of water intake;
• water filtration;
• productivity;
• material of the body and internal elements;
• hose length;
• number of attachments.

If the high-pressure washer is powered by the mains, you should pay attention to the length of the cable. Compact models operate from a battery, but they supply water under low pressure – the performance leaves much to be desired. But you can wash your car outside the garage or garden plot.

Not paying attention to where the sink gets its water from

Sometimes the high-pressure device is connected to the water supply. This causes certain difficulties during its first use – perhaps you will need the services of a plumber or detailed instructions.

The vast majority of models currently on sale are car washers with a suction function. Such devices are equipped with a pump, which draws water from the tank. Such a unit is the best choice for those who are going to wash their car far away from home. You just need to remember to take a barrel of water with you.

These washers can also take water from a pond, lake, or river. However, you should make sure that the filtration system is good. Otherwise, dirty water will cause the pump to break and scratch the car’s body.

Incorrect selection of power and cable length

Most high-pressure washers operate using an electric motor. Often, its power does not exceed 1600 W. Such devices are suitable for solving household needs, they consume relatively small amounts of electricity. There are more powerful models, which also please with higher productivity. Professional high-pressure washers are equipped with a 2500 W motor. The weakest are battery-powered models, otherwise, they would work from a full charge for only five minutes.

If the efficiency of washing depends on the maximum pressure, then the duration of the process depends on the power. When choosing a device, you can also focus on productivity – ideally, it should be 400 l / h. The more powerful the device, the faster it will cope with its task. But it will also need more water.

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“There are devices with a gasoline engine. They are mainly intended for cleaning streets and parks. Their main advantage: you don’t need to carry a generator with you. Also, only such models can heat water.”

A cable powers electric pressure washers. Many buyers make the mistake of not paying attention to its length, which is why they have to buy an extension cord. It is better if the cable is long enough from the start. Ideally, it should be on a reel.

Selecting the wrong maximum pressure for your needs

The cost of the washer depends most of all on the pressure achieved. For servicing a garden plot, a car or a two-wheeled vehicle, a device with a parameter in the range of 120-150 bar will be enough. With such a device, you will not damage the paintwork, and the process will not take much time. You can also buy a compact washer with a capacity of 20-40 bar, but you will have to be patient with it.

For professional use, it is better to purchase a device with a working pressure of 200 bar and higher. It supplies water over a longer distance and also serves a large area. With it, you can quickly wash not only a passenger car but also a truck. It is used by people cleaning private houses. It is also an excellent choice for washing fences, monuments, and sidewalks.

Do not estimate the length of the hose

When choosing a washer, do not forget to add the length of the hose to the cable – this way you will understand how far you can go from the socket. It is to the high-pressure hose that the gun and other attachments are attached. In cheap models, its length reaches four to five meters. Professional washers are equipped with an eight-meter hose.

If the buyer makes a mistake with the hose length, he will incur additional expenses. You won’t be able to use a garden hose — it won’t withstand such high pressure. You will need to buy a special extension hose. In this case, you must clarify the method of connecting accessories! For example, Karcher products have a Quick Connect connector. And don’t forget that each additional meter reduces the working pressure.

Neglect additional attachments

Any high-pressure washer comes with several accessories. Mostly, the buyer uses a gun that dispenses water when the trigger is pressed. However, it would not hurt to have a container for detergent, also called a foam generator. It produces a foam cap that removes all dirt. Car shampoo can be applied manually, but the accessory will make it faster and save a lot of it.

Other attachments will allow you to wash not only your car. You can use them to clean dirt from garden furniture, bicycles, and other items that are afraid of high water pressure. There are accessories for cleaning glass. Mud cutters are designed to remove the heaviest dirt. 90° nozzles will help clean the bottom of your car.

“Some manufacturers do not provide convenient storage for the hose and all the attachments. If the pressure washer comes with a lot of accessories, make sure there is a compartment for them. Otherwise, you will have to store them in the garage or somewhere else, and then search for them for a long time.”

It is not always necessary to buy a high-pressure device with a large number of attachments:

in the future, they can be purchased separately. For example, buying a foam generator is not difficult at all – many manufacturers produce it. However other attachments are more difficult to find, especially if the device is equipped with a non-standard mount.

This is a list of the main mistakes made by buyers of high-pressure washers. Now you will definitely not repeat them. In order not to miscalculate with the choice, it is enough to understand how long the cable and hose you need, decide on the pressure and performance and also specify the number of nozzles. And it is better to pay attention to the products of famous companies, as they will last longer.

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