For several decades, consumers have found that power washers are the best way to get certain items cleaned.
When looking at pressure washer information, there are some things that consumers really need to understand about these devices to be able to select the best model for the job, and some of those areas include: • Gas or Electric - Pressure washers run on two forms of power, gas or electric.
There are advantages and disadvantages of these devices.
- The Gas powered models are generally more powerful than the electric models.
- The Gas models have a longer ranger because they are not tethered to an electrical outlet, but they do eventually run out of gas and must be refilled.
- The Electric have a limited range because they are tethered to an electrical outlet; however, they always have a supply of electricity and do not require refueling.
- The Electric models are quieter and more environmentally friendly.
• Cold or Hot Water - all power washer models produce either cold or hot water, and some have the ability to provide both.
Some models also have the ability to dispense detergents and solvents.
The advantages and disadvantages include: - Cold water models are less expensive, and lighter, because they don't have a built-in heating element.
- Cold water models are great for an almost unlimited number of chores, including washing the car, cleaning off the deck or patio, rinsing off garden furniture, cleaning the dirt off the siding, and many more.
- Hot water is needed if there are oil or grease stains that need the extra cleaning power with heated water.
- Combination models that allow the consumer to determine whether hot or cold water is need for the job are great for multi-purpose cleaning chores.
- For consumers who have the need to clean chemical, oil, or grease stains, models that also dispense solvents and cleaning solutions are recommended.
• PSI and GPM ratings - one thing consumers need to understand is that all power washers are designed for different jobs.
These are defined by the PSI rating which means the pounds per square inch that the unit delivers and the GPM which is the gallons per minute emitted.
This is important for consumers to know because too high a rating for the job can damage the surface, and too low a rating means the unit cannot effectively do the job.
There are some ranges that consumers need to understand, such as: - Up to 1500 PSI ideal for cars, lawn furniture, vehicles, and lawn equipment - Between 1500 and 1800 PSI is useful for patios, decks, and sidewalks - Between 2000 and 3000 PSI does a great job on driveways, garage floors, or siding - Between 3000 and 4000 PSI is best for heavily stained driveways and stripping paint.
- Over 4000 PSI is generally used for heavy-duty chores that involve chemicals, oils, grease, or other stains.
There is a lot of information about how to select these power washers, and a great site that provides a good deal of information on the different models and brands can be found at this pressure washer site.
In addition to the information found here, consumers need to understand the best way to use the pressure washer the first time on an item that has not been cleaned with a power washer previously.
This site also makes recommendations on how to make sure it won't damage the surface, and cleans effectively.