Pressure Washing Guide

Pressure Washing Guide: How to Decide Between Gas or Electric

Pressure washing is a popular home maintenance technique that helps remove dirt, debris, mold, and other unsightly stains from your porch or patio. Pressure washing can help save you time on scrubbing away at those stubborn dirt stains and it can also save you money on expensive cleaners for this job. But there are some things you ought to know before choosing a pressure washer-is it electric or gas-powered? What is the PSI? Does the nozzle have a high-pressure setting? Let’s explore some of these questions more in-depth!

The first question to ask yourself is whether you want an electric or gas-powered pressure washer. Gas-powered ones are generally more powerful than their electric counterparts, but they also cost more and require regular maintenance like oil changes. Electric pressure washers can be very useful for small jobs around the house (like cleaning the porch steps), but they are not powerful enough to be used in larger exterior jobs, like cleaning siding. Electric models are also less expensive than gas-powered ones.

 

Pressure Washing Roof Morristown TN

How Can I Decide Between an Electric or Gas Pressure Washer?

Electric pressure washers are great for small jobs around the house around the yard because they are easier to use and take up less space. They can run on either AC power (with an extension cord) or DC power (with a cordless battery). Because they are less powerful than gas-powered ones, you should choose electric pressure washers for smaller exterior jobs such as cleaning the porch steps. For larger exterior jobs like washing siding or removing dirt from driveways and sidewalks, you’ll want to invest in a more powerful model.

Gas-powered pressure washers are usually more powerful than electric ones. They also require more maintenance, like oil changes. If you want to use a pressure washer for large exterior jobs at your house, then you should invest in a gas-powered model. You can easily find one with 2,000 PSI and up at most hardware stores or online retailers.

 

Commercial Pressure Washing

Understanding PSI and Different Types of Nozzles

Once you’ve decided whether to choose an electric or gas-powered pressure washer, you’ll need to look at the PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) rating on your gun. The PSI is a measurement of how powerful the water stream will be, so keep in mind that a high PSI pressure washer does not necessarily mean it is more effective. For example, you could have a gas-powered washer with 2,000 PSI but if your nozzle has a low-pressure setting, then there’s no way it can remove dirt, mold, or mildew from your driveway. A medium pressure setting with 800 PSI would be far more effective at removing these stains.

And lastly, consider choosing a nozzle with a high-pressure setting if you are pressure washing dirt off of siding or other large surfaces. The higher the PSI of the pressure washer, the higher the nozzle you should choose. For smaller jobs, choose a lower pressure setting.

In this article, you have learned the basics of pressure washing, from gun choices to PSI ratings. Keep in mind that a higher PSI does not mean a better power washer-it’s more important to invest in a medium-pressure nozzle and a high-power setting.

If you’re interested in learning more about power washing, then check out the video below. It provides an overview of what to look for when shopping for a pressure washer.

I hope that this guide has helped you better understand how to choose a pressure washer!