Pressure Washers?

Been thinking of buying a pressure washer. Have rented and borrowed a few times, but thinking it may be time to own. Mostly will use it for cleaning up cement block retaining walls and walkways, cleaning wood (deck, fence, etc) before refinishing, etc.

Any recommendations?

Brands?

Electric vs gas?

Pressure rating?

 

I'd consider your flow rate and need to reach places. I've had an electric for years and it works fine, but I hate having to roll up the house and the cord. And I can't take it around back where there's no electrical outlet...

 

Whatever you end up with, get a turbo nozzle for it. They are really impressive

 

X2

0º Turbo

 

I have a little Karcher with a Honda motor that works well. I bought refurbished from CPO Outlets on Amazon.

I actually use it less than I thought I would ... They use a lot of water, and I notice the change in my water/sewer bill when I use it. I'm not sure they are really worthwhile compared to the "quarter" car wash, unless you have a business or such that needs one.

Upgrades you might consider - use hot water if you have a outside tap. An outside hot water tap is on my list of home improvements. Also, my washer only squirts plain water at high pressure. It has a detergent tank, and a trigger for detergent, but it does not mix the detergent in the high-pressure spray. You squirt the detergent on, then let the high-pressure water mix with the detergent on the surface. There may be units that mix the detergent with the stream, that would be more effective cutting grease etc.

 

x3 on turbo, with a 1100 psi washer it work just like a 2000 psi using a 15 degree nozzle.

 

For that stuff, Honestly I recommend and electric one. My favorite are the karchers, they last forever and have the best pressure and tips. We use one to clean off our concrete boat ramp once a month, pool area once a year, and from anything else you could need a pressure washer for. Electric is great cause its quiet, you never have to worry about gassing it up or it sitting. If your can pull a garden hose to your work area, you can pull and extension cord too. They have plenty of power for what you want to do as well. I have tried some of the generic red "husky" or whatever store brand home depot and lowes sell and dont really like them at all.

 

Besides city water, I also have a well as the house was built before city water and sewer came through, so the cost of my water us cheap. If an electric one with an appropriate tip is adequate for my intended purposes, I don't mind running a cord out as I am running a hose anyways.

 

Just get the one on the bottom right and kill 2 birds with one stone.

 

Whatever you decide when you're done using run some RV antifreeze into the pump. Even if it won't freeze where you are it helps with internal corrosion. Mine ended up full of white powder and had to replace the pump. Don't remember where I read that info.

 

I've only used gas powered ones in the past, one I've borrowed from a friend and I've also rented from Home Depot IIRC. I don't know what they were rated at. I think it's just basic homeowner stuff I need to do, so I'm looking for what might be adequate for that. Never tried an electric one, but they appear to be rated lower. I don't want to waste my money on something that can't do the job, but I also don't want to spend a lot for extra capabilities I won't use. Unfortunately, I don't know ratings are adequate for what tasks.

 

That's one of the reasons I am not really looking at used ones. Here in Minnesota we get plenty of freezing weather and I think it's pretty common for people to not winterize their pressure washers properly. It's pretty common to see for sale ads where they indicate the pump needs to be replaced.

 

I have 2 pressure washers, a 1550 psi Husky electric and a 3000 psi gas Husky. I bought the 1550 because I'm cheap and paid the price for being cheap. I got it to remove the black mold off my sidewalks and driveway. I thought I was going to die of old age before I finished. I used it a few times and decided I have better things to do with my time and bought the gasser. I've been happy with it.
Like so many other tools, don't buy on price alone. Choose what you think will do the job, then choose the next bigger one. Once you use it you won't be sorry.

 

Mine is a DeVilbiss. It was 2400PSI when new. The e pump I replaced it with is a 2600. It has a GCV160 Honda engine. It reaches the top of a two story house with the right tip. If you can find a drop dead deal on one that needs a pump I paid $166 for the replacement pump with shipping.

 

I had an electric one that bit the dust and then "upgraded" to gas. I bought a cheap Troy-Bilt from Lowes. What a mistake! It is the most finicky piece of equipment I own. I don't use it as often as I probably would because I dread pulling it out knowing I will have to spend a half hour fiddling with the darn thing to get it to work right.

The electric one was perfect for me. It was powerful enough to clean the driveway and the basic stuff I use one for. Plus it had a small footprint and could easily be stashed away out of site. Conversely, the gas one takes up precious real estate in the garage.

For light housework, I recommend the most powerful electric one you can find. If you really want gas, get a good one with a Honda motor. Or I have a barely used Troy-Bilt I would be happy to sell you

 

This thread has lotza great comments/reviews! As noted there's a pressure washer marketed for every pocketbook.

I have a 1400 psi electric--I'd recommend more psi, but even 1400 psi with a good nozzle will clean a deck, etc. I also have a old Excell/Devilbiss 2750 PSI with a 6hp GC190 Honda with a 2.5 gpm Italian Annovi pump and a vari-nozzle (adjustable spray). The vari-nozzle makes for quick changes--but let go of the trigger before attempting a change. I'm a quick learner (once is enough) and fortunately never lost any hide!

The electric washer stores complete in the space of a 5 gallon bucket/carrier in the walkout basement. The gas washer has nearly the footprint of a wheelbarrow; it's drained & stored unheated. Both have survived many northern Minnesota winters. The manufacturer recommends using a pump protector/winterizer

The electric washer is very portable and handy--with light weight hose and wand, but if I want to get serious, I go for the gas washer which, in my case, has a heavy, bulky, miserable wand hose!