A pressure washer is a great tool that can really make your life easier. This tool allows you to wash away dirt and grime in places that you thought you would never be able to get clean. Because of the amount of pressure the washer produces, things around the house like your deck, driveway, and even siding are easier to clean. Pressure washers have different specifications that each buyer needs to look out for when heading to the local retailer. Here are some tips on what to look for when buying a new pressure washer.
Gas or Electric
Depending on what you wish to clean around your house, choosing between either gas or electric is a big decision. Gas pressure washers are more powerful because of the gas powered motors that they have. They are able to create more pressure, and therefore are able to clean more items around the house, but with power comes the chance to rip up house materials like siding and destroy decking as well.
Electric pressure washers are less powerful than gas, but they are smaller and therefore more portable and easier to move around. Electric pressure washers are nice to have if you have smaller decks and patios, but cleaning something larger will take a lot longer because of the power downgrade electric washers have.
GPM
GPM stands for gallons per minute, which is definitely an important thing to consider when purchasing a pressure washer. With higher pressure, it means more water coming out, translating to more gallons per minute. Top model pressure washers have around 4 GPM, which is plenty of power and water coming out. Lower models have around 2 GPM. Gallons per minute really just depends on what your intended use is for your pressure washer.
PSI
PSI stands for pounds per square inch, which is a big thing to consider when purchasing a pressure washer. The higher the PSI the better the pressure. A higher PSI means that you’ll be able to apply more pressure on the surface you’re cleaning, which is great for getting tough jobs done, and done quicker. With a lower PSI, that means it could take longer to clean certain surfaces, but with that lower PSI means a more gentle stream of water, taking away some of the worry of destroying your decks or siding compared to a higher PSI.
Brand Name
All pressure washers are the same no matter the brand right? Not necessarily as some brands can actually be better than others. Brand name is completely out of preference to the buyer since you may have a bias for a brand potentially. A nice reminder is that you get what you pay for. If you go for a brand name that you’ve never heard because it was the cheapest option, that may mean it could be susceptible to breaking down from time to time. This is not always the case, but it does seem to happen occasionally. Just remember that sometimes it’s not a bad idea to spend just a little more to get a better product.
There is no doubt that a pressure washer can help you get your cleaning job done with precision and quickness. Depending on your job, you’ll need to consider the power and endurance of the pressure washer you decide to buy. Just keep in mind that cheaper isn’t always better, and that you don’t need a great big powerful pressure washer if you only have a little area to clean and vice versa.
Here at Snappy’s Outdoor Equipment and Service, we have a variety of both residential and commercial pressure washers to choose from that can satisfy and take care of your cleaning needs. Don’t be afraid to contact us to learn more information about which pressure washer is right for you.
