Pressure Washers

Pressure washers are incredibly handy pieces of kit as they effectively blast through dirt and grime easily with their high-powered jets of water. There are several different kinds of pressure washer available in the Cromwell range, from big name brands like Karcher, Bosch and many more, with all these you'll be sure to find the right pressure washer for your needs.

What are pressure washers?

Pressure washers use high powered jets of water to blast away dirt and grime from a surface, making quick work of cleaning large items and stubborn grime.
They consist of powered unit with a pressure hose with a lance attachment (although other attachments can be used). The unit can be connected to the water-mains directly via hose or to a water tank.

Pressure washers come in both hot and cold-water solutions depending on your needs, and some have the options to add chemicals and detergents to the mix. They come in various pressure strengths which are suitable for different applications.

Why pressure washers?

Speed and power are the main benefits of pressure washers, they can make short work of stubborn dirt that conventional cleaning would struggle to remove. They are also great for cleaning large objects like vehicles and machinery that would otherwise take a long time to clean manually.

Types of pressure washer

• Electric - Electric pressure washers are powered via a cable connected to a mains outlet, they are economical to runs and come in both hot and cold water variations, with varying levels of power. The drawback is maneuverability as the cable limits movement.

• Petrol - These machines are fully portable thanks to not having to rely on a cabled source. When coupled with a water tank they can be moved anywhere on site. They are cost-effective to run but are heavy and require regular maintenance.

• Diesel - Like petrol machines these a re large and mobile but are weighty due to their size. They are powerful with a high flow rate, as well as fuel efficient. Their drawback comes at expense and weight.

Considerations when choosing a pressure washer

• Power source - Depending on your needs there are three main types, electric, petrol or diesel. Electric is the best choice for domestic and everyday applications, whereas petrol or diesel are more beneficial for commercial and industrial applications.

• PSI - Stands of pressure per square inch. This is how powerful the blast of the jet is measured lower PSI are recommended for everyday home uses whereas higher PSI is designed for industrial applications. At the high end of pressure comes the risk of stripping paint so these are mostly used to clean buildings.

• Hot vs Cold water cleaning - Cold water cleaners cost less to run and are generally smaller making them more mobile, however cleaning heavy grime requires the use of chemicals. With hot water washers the unit is bulkier and there are more upfront costs involved but they clean tough grime easily and have an overall quicker cleaning time.

Pressure washer jargon buster

• PSI - The amount of pressure per square inch. Below is a rough guide to the ratings.
• 1,000 - 1,900 PSI - Relatively low, for mostly domestic use.
• 2,000 - 2,900 PSI - Moderate power for commercial cleaning.
• 3,000 PSI - High for industrial applications, can damage certain surfaces if used incorrectly.
• 3,000+ PSI - Very high, can strip paintwork and blast concrete.

• LPM - Litres per minute. This measures the washers water output per minute. As a rule higher flows clean faster than low flows.

• RPM - Revolutions per minute. This determines how hard the motor in the unit works. High rpms (3400 and above) tend to belong to domestic machines, not designed for continuous working. Mid-range (2800) tend to belong to commercial machines that run longer hours. The lowest rpms (1450) tend to be industrial machines designed for continuous running.

FAQ

Are pressure washers dangerous?

Like any powered tool, pressure washers if used incorrectly are a hazard. The force that the water is expelled through the lance's nozzle can easily cause and injury. As a rule, PPE should be worn including protective shoes, gloves and eye protection as debris can easily fly upwards when blasted.

Also, it is highly recommended to use a pressure washer on the ground not from a ladder as the force can be strong enough to knock you backwards if your feet aren't planted firmly. Extended lance accessories can be used when cleaning at height.

Can pressure washers be used on cars?

Yes, however choose a low PSI (1,000 - 1,900) model as high PSI can dent bodywork or even strip the paint off your vehicle.