Pressure washing or power washing is an effective and efficient way to clean a patio, a deck, paving, or even your car. It is a great tool to remove dirt, dust, mud, mold, as well as loose paint to name a few. But before you go and get started with your pressure washer, here are some things you need to know.
Power
The power of a pressure washer is determined by its BoP and LPH specifications. BoP is bars of pressure, while LPH is liters per hour. A higher BoP setting will increase the force of the water hitting the surface. In the same manner, a higher LPH releases more water from the pressure washer. Best pressure washers for the UK market are those that provide a balance between the two. This is because a higher LPH will release more water, cleaning the surface faster, even if the BoP is in the midrange. On the contrary, a lower LPH generally requires a higher BoP, which may be damaging to the surface you are cleaning.
Typically, high BoP is only necessary for paint stripping, unpainted metal, as well as other large areas. A relatively low to midrange BoP is often sufficient to clean vehicles, patio and patio furniture, grills, siding, fences, decks, and even boats.
Types of Pressure Washers
Electric
Electric pressure washers are usually lightweight but heavy-duty cleaning tools. These pressure washers are cheaper and more portable compared to gas-powered ones. In addition to this, they also produce less noise upon use. This makes them great for basic home cleaning chores such as giving your deck or patio a bath, as well as washing your car.
Gas-powered
Gas-powered pressure washers, on the other hand, have the ability to deliver a higher water pressure compared to the portable electric washers. Note that the high power it emits creates a relatively loud and noisy sound when used during cleaning. These pressure washers are best used for cleaning concrete or preparing a siding for painting.
Pressure Washer Nozzle
Red. This nozzle is positioned on a zero-degree angle that shoots the water directly onto the surface.
Yellow. This nozzle creates a 15-degree wide sheet of water spray in a low-pressure setting, best used to prepare a surface before painting.
Green. This nozzle creates a 25-degree wide sheet of water spray commonly used for cleaning mud and dirt from patio, deck, or driveways.
White. This nozzle creates a 40-degree wide sheet of water spray that is appropriate for cleaning fragile surfaces.
Ultimately, a pressure washer is a great and convenient cleaning tool, which is why it can be very handy to own one. It is relatively easy to use, as long as you familiarize yourself with some of the basic things that you need to know. Regardless of whether you prefer an electric or a gas-powered one, the important thing is that you look for one that can be used in conjunction with a cleaning solution that is proven safe for the surface you are cleaning.
