Introduction :
Pressure washing is used for cleaning surfaces that require more water pressure and if the garden hose is not enough. The pressure washer can be used to clean almost everything. They come in different categories. The water jet coming out of a pressure washer can be 100 times more powerful than a garden hose. Pressure washers are not toys. If not used correctly, they may cause serious injuries.
Types of pressure washer :
Pressure washers are typically powered by electricity and gas. Gas models are more powerful than the electric models and mainly used for heavy-duty projects. These are heavy and noisy. Electric models are lightweight, quiet but require electricity to operate.
PSI, GPM and CU:
There are two power measurement terms used with the pressure washers: PSI and GPM.
PSI:
PSI stands for pounds per square inch. It is the water pressure in pounds per square inch of space. It is the power of the water jet. GPM: Gallons per minute i.e. how much water in Gallon is emitted per minute from the spray gun.
CU:
CU stands for cleaning unit. It is the product of both PSI and GPM. Cleaning unit gives a measurement of overall performance as compared to other models of a pressure washer. Note that even if two Pressure washers have the same PSI value, the efficiency may not be the same.
Parts of a pressure washer :
Either you are using an electric pressure washer or gas pressure washer, the working mechanism is the same for both. Some pressure models come with a detergent box to add detergent to the water.
The motor works as the heart of a pressure washer. It takes the water, mixes it with detergent and then pumps out the pressurized water.
Mainly, we can divide the components into four parts :
- Motor
- Water inlet
- Pressure Hose
- Wand and nozzle
1. Motor:
Motor is the heart of the pressure washer. The motor pressurizes the water. It is either electric powered or gas powered. Gas motors are more powerful. Gas washers are great if you want to work on outdoor areas. The inner part of a motor consists of valves and cylinders. The pistons draw water through the inlet valves, pressurizes it and then expels it through the outlet valve. GPM or gallon per minute we have discussed above depends on the power of the motor. More GPM, more powerful the motor is.
2. Water inlet :
A normal garden hose is used to connect the pressure washer to the main water supply. You can connect the hose to any domestic water source.
3. Pressure Hose :
Pressure hose is connected to the washer and the other part is connected to a cleaning gun or any other attachment. The water pressure is much higher than normal water pressure and to handle high-pressure water flowing through the hose, it is made of multi-layered high-quality materials. Three types of pressure hose are available: plastic, rubber and Polyurethane hose. Polyurethane is the most expensive one. Hoses are available in three diameters: 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch and 5/16 inch. You can check your user manual to know more about the hose your washer is using. This information will be helpful whenever your hose needs replacement.
4. Wand and nozzle :
Pressure washer wands are designed differently for electric and gas pressure washer. Similarly, nozzles come in variety of patterns. 0 degree, 15 degrees, 25 degrees and 40-degree nozzles are normally used. 0 degree is used for the toughest work. It emits water in 0-degree radius. 40-degree nozzle emits at a 40-degree radius. It is used on smooth surface.
Safety tips for using pressure washer :
Pressure washer water is extremely dangerous. You should always wear protective gear and follow all safety tips.
- Wear goggles to protect your eye.
- Wear gloves, boots and thick raincoat.
- Avoid slippery surface for cleaning.
- Keep your child or pet away from the cleaning zone.
- If you are using a gas pressure washer, never use it in an enclosed room.
- Avoid using the 0 degree or red nozzle. If you have not used pressure washer before, start with the 40-degree nozzle first.
- Avoid working at height.
- Cool down the machine before storing it.
- For replacing any parts, follow the user manual.
Conclusion :
Pressure washer ejects water at more than 50 times than a normal garden hose. It makes the cleaning process faster and also uses less water. Pressure washer cleaning is fun and easy and it saves a lot of time if you follow the right process.