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I am looking to purchase a pressure washer this summer. There seem to be so many choices, gas, electric, 2.0 GPM, 4.0 GPM, 1500 psi, 2000 psi.
I am leaning towards an electric model since I will only be using this at my home portability is not an issue. Would be nice not to have to maintain another gas engine. I have found three models 2.0 gpm at 1000 psi 1.5hp, 2.0 gpm at 1500 psi 2hp and 4.0 gpm at 2000psi 5hp.
My house is coquina and I am not sure what size washer to get. I do not want to blast the coquina off. I live in a wooded area in the south so I do have a problem with mold.
Any ideas, recommendations?
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I was in the market for a pressure washer a few years back. I borrowed a buddy of mine's electric (sorry I don't remember the specs, but I think it was a Coleman and cost about $200) and man was it slow going - my life is too short for that, and besides, pressure washing is a *real* boring task. I went out and bought a 5 hp gas 2000 psi and am very satisfied with it. Even with the the one I have, it still takes about 3 hours to do a good job of cleaning my 1000 sq ft concrete driveway.
By the way, what is "coquina."
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I just purchased a pressure washer and did some research into what to look for in a washer. For home use they typically come in 1200, 1500, and 2000 psi. The amount of pressure they put out is for straight water use only. When using soap this pressure output drops considerably.
Pressure is only one consideration. You also want to consider how many gallons per minute the washer will put out. Obviously the more gpm the better. For example, if you purchase a unit that puts out 1200 psi at 1.5 gpm you will get a washer that is very suited to washing your lightly soiled breakfast dishes. The washer I purchased is an industrial unit that has a diesel fired boiler and delivers 2000 psi at 4 gpm. This is obviously overkill for the home but we are using this unit in our fabrication shop. I have used small home type units that are electric and gas driven, both of which deliver 1500 psi at 2 gpm and have been pleased with both.
For heavy cleaning requirements hot water is essential. For home use you should not require it. Hot water does clean better, you could try hooking up to a hot water supply with your washer but you will need a large hot water heater to go for very long. I would also suggest that you check to make sure your washer can handle hot water.
To sum up, look for a washer that will handle 1500 to 2000 psi and at least 2 gpm. Try not to buy the cheapest unit available, you will be disappointed. Also, be forwarned that some manufacturers have fittings on their pumps that you can only purchase from them, at great expense. Look for a washer that uses a General Pump pump and has generic hose fittings.
*Matt, I must have spelled "coquina" wrong, sorry.It is tiny sea shells that are blown on to the finish coat of wet stucco. A nice feature is that it hids the hair line cracks that typically appear in stucco.
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Matt
One thing to consider about electric pressure washers. Just like 110 volt consumer air compressors, they can max out a 110 20 amp circuit in a heart beat. If your house is not wired right or if you are plugged in a long distance from your service panel you can experience breaker "pops" when you start up or after prolonged use.
I recently used an electric power washer to prep the soffits on a 25 year old house for paint. It ran fine on the outlet near the service panel but popped breakers when plugged in to an extension cord or other outlets.
If you do buy an electric power washer make sure you have outlets available that will handle the load.
This is one situation where renting a gas powered pressure washer once a year may make more sense than buying a consumer electric unit.
*Steve:Not really sure if your post was directed to me, but there was no issue of breakers tripping. Don't mean to sound gruff, but the electric power washer I borrowed from my buddy was a "toy tool". In addition to being under powered (low PSI) it did not move enough water (low GPM) to float away the debris I was trying to clean off.
*I happened to get a great deal on a coleman 1500 gas.The fittings were junk, and the soap pickup broke. The nozzle broke after the firt year. It took two months to get a small part that could have been mailed in one day.The thing performed good enough, but I need something that can damage stuff.No more sissy washers for me! When I pull the trigger, I want to be scared!Will any electric model do that for me?Is there one big enough to blast through a 2x4 in seconds?I might bring it onto the jobsite, and throw out my sawzall!blue
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I don't think the electric units I have been looking at are "toys". They appear to be the same as a gas unit unit but use an electric motor instead.
These units are going anywhere from $429 to $1099. Where I am living you could give your house a good wash once a year and touch-up 2 to 3 times a year, one of the downsides living where humidity is high almost year round.
By the way the pumps used on the units are AR Pumps or CAT Pumps. The motors are either 115V at 20amp or 230V at 23amp. I can handle both power requirements.
To avoid moving the unit around can I add 100 or 200 feet of hose?
My concern is getting a unit that is too strong and I end up removing the sea shell finish.
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You can regulate the pressure somewhat by the tips you use, also by backing away from the wall a foot or so if it is too much and is damaging anything. I would recommend a gas model in the 2000 th 2500psi range with wheels so that you dont have to drag all of that hose around. I rarely use more than about 50 ft. You should be able to get one for around 500 bucks.
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Lee, Some models are avaliable with an adjustable
pressure unloader, this is the device which allows
you to have a shut-off on the wand. It by-passes
water from the discharge side to the suction side.
Northern Hydralics has them as a replacement part.
Blue, Mine is 18 HP, 4500PSI @ 4.0 GPM, with a 0
tip it will do serious damage to a 2 x
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B. Bellamy,
ARGH, ARGH, ARGH!
blue
*Bitchin dude~!!!Just picked up 2500psi...enough to disarray siding on any house in the right hands!Near the stream literally~J
*Im lookin at a 2500 with a 5 hp honda. I would prefer an electric. 240v.but the pertability of the gas is a big asset.Wishy washy,blue
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I am looking to purchase a pressure washer this summer. There seem to be so many choices, gas, electric, 2.0 GPM, 4.0 GPM, 1500 psi, 2000 psi.
I am leaning towards an electric model since I will only be using this at my home portability is not an issue. Would be nice not to have to maintain another gas engine. I have found three models 2.0 gpm at 1000 psi 1.5hp, 2.0 gpm at 1500 psi 2hp and 4.0 gpm at 2000psi 5hp.
My house is coquina and I am not sure what size washer to get. I do not want to blast the coquina off. I live in a wooded area in the south so I do have a problem with mold.
Any ideas, recommendations?