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Advice on Pressure Washer
Posted on 9/7/22 at 8:43 pm
Posted on 9/7/22 at 8:43 pm
Looking to buy a pressure washer for cleaning my driveway and house. This will be my first pressure washer (just graduated college so go easy on me) and would like some advice on PSI and GPM that would best suit my needs. Would like to stay under $800 but want something that will do a good job and will last me. TIA
11
Posted on 9/7/22 at 9:09 pm to TigerTee
GPM is more important than PSI.
Get a Honda engine.
Get a AAA or Cat pump, if possible.
Simpson is a great brand that usually fits everyones needs.
With that being said, my dad bought a Harbor Freight Predator washer a few years ago. He puts that thing though hell and back and it runs great. He bought the warranty and never had to use it. I would give them a hard look if my Dewalt (rebranded Simpson) one went out.
Simpson
Dewalt
Predator
Get a Honda engine.
Get a AAA or Cat pump, if possible.
Simpson is a great brand that usually fits everyones needs.
With that being said, my dad bought a Harbor Freight Predator washer a few years ago. He puts that thing though hell and back and it runs great. He bought the warranty and never had to use it. I would give them a hard look if my Dewalt (rebranded Simpson) one went out.
Simpson
Dewalt
Predator
This post was edited on 9/7/22 at 9:11 pm
Posted on 9/7/22 at 9:13 pm to TigerTee
Posted on 9/7/22 at 10:34 pm to TigerTee
Don't know the size of your house or driveway or frequency of use, but my little Ryobi has served me well for about 7 years. I pressure wash house, driveway and deck once a year.
One of the attachments started coming lose but plumber's tape fixed it right up. I'll be happy if I get 10 years out of it for less than $200.
Ryobi at HD
One of the attachments started coming lose but plumber's tape fixed it right up. I'll be happy if I get 10 years out of it for less than $200.
Ryobi at HD
Posted on 9/8/22 at 5:02 am to Ice Cream Sammich
quote:
GPM is more important than PSI.
Get a Honda engine.
Get a AAA or Cat pump, if possible.
This might cost you a little more than your budget, but will be worth it. I have a 4gpm and wish I had an 8gpm.
Posted on 9/8/22 at 7:33 am to sosaysmorvant
Northern Tool makes one with a Honda engine and comet pump. I have been rolling mine for 8 years with no issues.
This post was edited on 9/8/22 at 12:59 pm
Posted on 9/8/22 at 8:18 am to TigerTee
The Briggs engine in a TroyBilt is not good.
Had the washer left with the house as part of the purchase and it was almost new.
The pump system is great, but the Briggs gas tank split and had to fix hard starting by swapping out the magneto. Not hard jobs but that should not happen with a nearly new engine.
Had the washer left with the house as part of the purchase and it was almost new.
The pump system is great, but the Briggs gas tank split and had to fix hard starting by swapping out the magneto. Not hard jobs but that should not happen with a nearly new engine.
Posted on 9/8/22 at 9:34 am to Ice Cream Sammich
quote:
Get a Honda engine.
Have one that brother n law gave me about 12 years ago. Broke it out 2 weeks ago, usually give it some run about once a year. Cranks on first or second pull every time. Simply change oil is about the only maintenance I have ever done on it.
Posted on 9/8/22 at 12:48 pm to TigerTee
Good advice in this thread. You can get what you need well under your budget. The only recommendation I would add is that for cleaning large areas like driveway and house, my preference is a gas pressure washer. To get enough power with an electric you would likely have to spend too much.
I bought a Northern Tool power washer with a Chinese Honda-knockoff engine and it has worked great. It’s about $300.00. Harbor Freight also makes a really good one with a Chinese Honda-knockoff engine. It’s about $340.00.
Also, for your house, Norther Tool sells extenders for the spray end that I use to clean gutters and second floor areas. I also have one of those round spray discs for cleaning concrete and It is much better than going back and forth with the wand.
I bought a Northern Tool power washer with a Chinese Honda-knockoff engine and it has worked great. It’s about $300.00. Harbor Freight also makes a really good one with a Chinese Honda-knockoff engine. It’s about $340.00.
Also, for your house, Norther Tool sells extenders for the spray end that I use to clean gutters and second floor areas. I also have one of those round spray discs for cleaning concrete and It is much better than going back and forth with the wand.
Posted on 9/8/22 at 1:09 pm to TigerTee
Hydro-Quip in BR sells Honda/Cat combo’s of all sizes. I went thru several cheaper ones and finally broke down and got the good one. It’s unbeatable.
Posted on 9/8/22 at 3:51 pm to Duck Island
If you’re in BR, go to Bozeman’s on the corner of Airline and Siegen, they have the really good stuff but it’s pricey.
My advice to you would be to get with a couple of family members or really close friends and buy a nice machine. It’s something that everyone needs, but not used very often, so it makes it a very shareable asset.
My stepdad and I purchased a Mi-T-M 4200 psi 3.4 gpm last year from St. Gabriel Hardware and it’s a beast. Also purchased the 20” surface cleaning disc with the handlebar grips, I would highly recommend both.
My advice to you would be to get with a couple of family members or really close friends and buy a nice machine. It’s something that everyone needs, but not used very often, so it makes it a very shareable asset.
My stepdad and I purchased a Mi-T-M 4200 psi 3.4 gpm last year from St. Gabriel Hardware and it’s a beast. Also purchased the 20” surface cleaning disc with the handlebar grips, I would highly recommend both.
Posted on 9/8/22 at 4:38 pm to Ice Cream Sammich
quote:
GPM is more important than PSI.
This is less than accurate. For a layman, multiply the two values together to get a "total cleaning power". This will let you compare units together apples to apples.
Be wary of units with variable gpm. They are harder to straight up compare. (They advertise 2.3 at a low psi, but that's not at a psi to be useful).
Posted on 9/8/22 at 9:03 pm to TigerTee
I don't care about brands. My best advice for all small engines is to make sure you use NON ETHANOL gas.
Maintain it. Change oil, spark plug, and air filter when needed.
Specifically for a pressure washer - make sure the water is turned on at the spigot that feeds the unit before starting it. You don't want to start the motor without water.
Maintain it. Change oil, spark plug, and air filter when needed.
Specifically for a pressure washer - make sure the water is turned on at the spigot that feeds the unit before starting it. You don't want to start the motor without water.
Posted on 9/9/22 at 5:35 am to Duck Island
I’ll agree with Duck Island on Hydroquip and that setup. I have 20 diesel pressure washers in my fleet and deal with Ryan over at Hydroquip. The guys there are really knowledgeable and they stock just about all parts needed and if they don’t have them they can get most the next day. Those cat pumps will last forever with minimal maintenance. In a few years you can change all the seals in them in less than 20 min and have it run like new again.
Posted on 9/9/22 at 7:19 am to TigerTee
I bought a cheap $100 Greenworks electric pressure washer from Lowe's about 5 years ago to leave at my camp for washing my side by side. Didn't use it like I thought I would so brought it home and have been using it to wash my house, garage, patio, shop, pump house, & all cement twice a year with zero issues. I also bring it to the camp and wash the camp & porch once a year. Use it to wash our vehicles & side by side a few times a year. When it goes out, I'll be getting another one. If you use the right cleaners, you don't need a big washer.
Posted on 9/9/22 at 3:12 pm to longsidelandry
6 years ago, I researched pressures washers and compared all the major brand. One deciding factor was the quality and length of the hose.
I decided to get the Powerhorse sold by Northern Tool.... order from Amazon. It looks like the price has not changed, so maybe need to look close to see description.
LINK
If you plan to use it to clean your driveway, get a surface cleaner. Your can do the job in less than half the time.
I decided to get the Powerhorse sold by Northern Tool.... order from Amazon. It looks like the price has not changed, so maybe need to look close to see description.
LINK
If you plan to use it to clean your driveway, get a surface cleaner. Your can do the job in less than half the time.
This post was edited on 9/9/22 at 3:16 pm
Posted on 9/12/22 at 2:02 pm to gerald65
quote:
One deciding factor was the quality and length of the hose.
That's like the simplest thing to replace. Why would that be a deciding factor?
Posted on 9/12/22 at 3:11 pm to SG_Geaux
quote:
That's like the simplest thing to replace. Why would that be a deciding factor?
Yes, very easy to change.... but a quality hose should last for years and not need replacing. Hose breaking was mentioned in many reviews for other pressure washers. And a longer hose [30' vs 25'] means you don't have to move the pressure as often and makes the job easier and faster to complete.
Posted on 9/12/22 at 5:41 pm to gerald65
Or one could just rig up multiple hoses with quick connects.
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