Which pressure washer is right for you? It's hard to decide - given the many different models and manufacturers out there. In this article we would like to outline some things that you should take into consideration when it comes time to choose.
Where should you start? Perhaps the best place is to begin by thinking about how often you will need to clean with your pressure washer. Will it be once a week or less? Then you can probably get by with one designed for residential or homeowner use. If you will need to do your cleaning several times a week, you need a unit that can handle the workload - and that may mean a commercial unit.
Also: Consider just what you will be cleaning with your new pressure washer. Will you need to tackle surfaces that are grease or oil-covered? Then you should look into purchase of a steam pressure washer - the steam is really effective in cutting through that greasy gunk. At the very minimum, you will need a pressure washer that heats the water - a cheaper model that uses room temperature water will not be effective on grease and oil.
If you will be using your pressure washer primarily on your back porch or to clean up the family SUV, then you will find that a unit that develops only 2000 PSI or less will suit you just fine.
On the other hand, if you are going to be cleaning things like the brickwork of your home, or a large truck, then you will need a pressure washer that develops a medium pressure of around 2000-3000 PSI.
Then there are those monsters that develop over 3000 PSI of pressure - what about them? Well, they are (as you might guess) designed for the heavy-duty cleaning you encounter in industrial and commercial environments (such as car repair shops, factories, truck depots, etc.).
Many residential users choose a commercial-grade unit anyway, however. They get a pressure washer that will last longer and have a better warranty. This is because they are made with better quality components - especially the water pump.
A few final thoughts: Don't forget to ask about servicing - what will you need to do if it breaks down? In addition, make sure that you buy all the accessories you need - not all of them may be included in the kit. And please, practice safe washing procedures: wear goggles, be careful of hot water and steam, and NEVER point the stream of water at others.
