The elements that surround your home every day can easily take their toll on the outside of your home. This includes concrete surfaces like patios, sidewalks, and driveways, wooden decks, gazebos, vinyl siding, and windows. Residential pressure washers were designed to provide enough pressure to remove dirt and grime that has built upon a wide range of surfaces.

Pressure washers can also be used to prepare the outside of your home prior to painting. It produces enough pressure to loosen and dislodge peeling paint to ensure that the surface is clean before you start painting. The pressure washer comes in a variety of sizes and can use either an electric motor or gas powered motor

Pressure Washing Equipment

Pressure washing equipment generally consists of three main parts; a motor to generate pressure, a water supply, and a sprayer. A typical pressure washer has a motor that runs a pump which is what generates the high pressure that forces the water out of the sprayer (wand) at the desired pressure. The pressure washer is generally hooked up to a water hose that is connected to an outdoor spigot. Pressure washers come with two different types of motors designed to generate the pressure; Gas Powered and Electric Powered.

Gas Powered Pressure Washer – The pump of a gas-powered pressure washer is capable of creating 1200 psi (pounds per square inch) or more of continuous pressure. When attached to the garden hose and supplying a steady amount of water it sprays out of the tip of the nozzle. The typical gas powered pressure washer is capable of putting out 1300 to 2400 psi.

Electric Powered Pressure Washer – The electrically powered motor that is attached to the pump generates the continuous 1300 to 1400 psi. When attached to a garden hose this high-pressure water is pushed out of the tip of the sprayer at a steady pattern depending on tip of the nozzle.

Pressure Washing Uses

Pressure washers are the perfect tool for removing dirt, grime, debris, flaking, and peeling paint from most types of exterior surfaces such as:

• Concrete/Driveway washing
• Wooden Deck/Balcony washing
• Exterior Window washing
• Vinyl siding washing

Safety Precautions While Using a Pressure Washing

The high-pressure spray of the pressure washer poses a very serious threat of injury or bodily harm if used unsafely. It can also do unwanted damage to the surfaces you are trying to clean if not handled properly. You should never aim the spray wand in the direction of people or pets and you should always keep the tip of the nozzle at least 1 foot away from the surface you are cleaning to avoid damage. If you are using a pressure washer that uses an electric motor you should always use a 12 or 16 gauge extension cord that is plugged into an outside GFCI outlet. Always test the sprayer on a small area that is less visible to ensure you don’t damage the surface you are trying to clean.