READ THIS before you use a Power/Pressure Washer
Let’s get one thing straight...power washing and pressure washing ARE NOT the same thing. Although they both consist of using water sprayed under high pressure to remove dirt, mould, paint etc from the surface of stone, concrete and wood, the two terms cannot be used interchangeably. The main difference to these two methods of washing is HEAT. Power washing uses heat whereas pressure washing does not. The reason for this is that hot water is better used for cleaning, especially when it is mixed with soap, disinfectant, baking soda etc. So before you go buying yourself a nice fancy Honda 2500 PSI power washer, please note the following:
- When should you power/ pressure wash?
Power washers are extremely powerful and the use of heated water means they are great for heavy duty jobs such as large driveways or paths. The hot water used in power washers helps to lift stubborn dirt and grime as well as kill any unwanted mould to hinder its return to the surface. In short, power washers must be used on harder surface areas more capable of withstanding the impact of the intense heat. Hot water is far more efficient and effective for deep cleaning, such as areas rich in salt, mildew, moss or weeds.
Pressure washers are a great option for small scale jobs such as cleaning down a small wooden decking or patio area. Surfaces such as wood and tile clean far better with a pressure washer when an appropriate cleaning agent is also used.
Consider the time of year to best use the power/ pressure washer. We’d recommend Spring or Autumn as pressure washing in the winter can cause water to build up in crevices and expand when frozen, causing further damage to the surface.
2.What cleaning solutions should you use?
Each individual cleaning agent has its own function. It’s crucial you understand the uses for each and the difference between which are used to clean a surface, which are used to destroy or eradicate substance from a surface. Here are some of the most commonly used chemicals and their intended use…
- Cleaners remove dirt
- Sanitizers kill most (99.999 % of bacteria in 30 seconds or less)
- Disinfectants kill all organisms within 30 minutes
Each surface has an attributed chemical, technique, nozzle and pressure associated with it for best results. Make sure when buying premixed cleaning agents that you read the label attached as it will inform you on which surface it is best used on. Pressure washing with cold water will work on most surfaces but for best results we’d recommend pairing an appropriate cleaning agent with warm water.
3.Which surfaces can be power/ pressure washed?
Do not use your power/ pressure washer on any of these surfaces…
- Sandstone
- Paint
- Asphalt
- Stained wood
- Older brittle objects
4. Why should you be careful?
Power washers and pressure washers are extremely dangerous and can cause serious bodily harm if not used correctly or if the appropriate safety precautions are not met. Most power/ pressure washers fire water out at a whopping 250 MPH! Meaning not only is it harmful if hit with it directly, but if anyone is standing near the surface being cleaned, they could be hit with chips of ricocheting concrete or stone. Spraying the water directly at another person could kill them, whilst the off-spray of debris could cause blindness if safety goggles or face shields are not worn. Try standing at least 2 meters away from the surface in cleaning to protect yourself.
Before using the power/ pressure washer, test the lowest setting on a hard surface to avoid damaging or destroying surfaces such as windows. Adjusting the nozzle to the correct setting will also help you to get the best result and avoid any unnecessary destruction. You must also be mindful never to use the pressure/ power washer anywhere near an electrical outlet. Make sure all electrical plugs, sockets and generators are well covered.
Our picks
If you are buying a power/pressure washer for use in your home, on decking or a small driveway, we’d recommend purchasing a model such as the Jobsite 2200psi Petrol Power Washer 6.5hp. This model is small and great for storing in a small shed.
2200psi Petrol Power Washer 6.5hp
For larger commercial use such as farming, contractor and industrial use., we’d recommend the 3600psi Honda 13hp AR Pump Pressure/Power Washer. The engine and pump are protected by a powder coated metal frame with rubber tyres to ensure that the pressure washer can be transported easily in all conditions. The power washer comes with a 10M heavy duty hose and a heavy duty trigger and lance.
3600psi Honda 13hp AR Pump Pressure/Power Washer
