Want to buy a pressure washer. How many PSI/HP do I need?
#1
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Want to buy a pressure washer. How many PSI/HP do I need?
Ok.. I want to get me a gas pressure washer. None of this electric bull crap. I want it to clean my cement (garage floor, patio slab, front porch, etc), wash our cars, and wash the house (things I can think of at the momment).
How many PSI / HP should I look to get to accomplish things like these? What else can you do with a pressure washer?
What models do you recommend?? Where do you recommend buying it?
Thanks!
EDIT TO ADD - I don't want to spend over $300. Hopefully around $200-$275.
How many PSI / HP should I look to get to accomplish things like these? What else can you do with a pressure washer?
What models do you recommend?? Where do you recommend buying it?
Thanks!

EDIT TO ADD - I don't want to spend over $300. Hopefully around $200-$275.
Last edited by tbird2340; 04-22-05 at 04:22 PM.
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I recently did a lot of research into these but I bought the electrical type of unit that is just made for home cleaning.
Anyway, what I did come across while researching them is that most people say you don't want to touch a car with more than 2000 PSI. Obviously concrete cleaning can take a lot more.
Anyway, what I did come across while researching them is that most people say you don't want to touch a car with more than 2000 PSI. Obviously concrete cleaning can take a lot more.
#5
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Originally Posted by Breakfast with Girls
I was going to make a joke combining PSI, HP, and using the pressure washer to defeat Giygas, but it really wasn't working.
Damn, and it had all the elements of great comedy, too.

I have a 2400 and in fan spray it is fine on cars, but on beam, it would most definately put a large crease in one.
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I'm also interested in one to clean off some dirt that has crept up a foot or so on a couple of spots outside my house. Not worried about spraying the concrete at the bottom, but AM concerned about taking off paint just above the concrete... on hardi-plank. Do these pressure washers allow for safe cleaning of outdoor house paint (low enough pressure?)
#7
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Originally Posted by atlantamoi
I'm also interested in one to clean off some dirt that has crept up a foot or so on a couple of spots outside my house. Not worried about spraying the concrete at the bottom, but AM concerned about taking off paint just above the concrete... on hardi-plank. Do these pressure washers allow for safe cleaning of outdoor house paint (low enough pressure?)
#9
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You can get a 4.5 hp one from sears for $300 with a briggs and straton engine.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=07175232000
That's 2200 psi, and if you try to go cheaper you will have to get an electric one. Those don't have great reviews compared to the gas powered ones, though.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=07175232000
That's 2200 psi, and if you try to go cheaper you will have to get an electric one. Those don't have great reviews compared to the gas powered ones, though.
#10
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http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=07175201000
Wait, this is smaller and only $239 and still over 2000 psi. That actually looks like a decent deal.
Wait, this is smaller and only $239 and still over 2000 psi. That actually looks like a decent deal.
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We've got a 6.5 hp (2200 PSI) power washer that we got at Wal-Mart for about $280...
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=1717303
It actually will take paint off of some wooden surfaces if you aren't being careful.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=1717303
It actually will take paint off of some wooden surfaces if you aren't being careful.

#13
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I would worry more about who makes the motor, personally. I don't think the HP is that big of a deal. They seem to start at around 4 hp, which would probably still do the job.
#14
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Originally Posted by tbird2340
So should I be looking at a minimum 2000 PSI? Is the HP that important or mainly the PSI?
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You can get a total of $75.00 back on this one at Amazon right now,
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...s=hi&n=3023471
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...s=hi&n=3023471
#16
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Originally Posted by tbird2340
So should I be looking at a minimum 2000 PSI? Is the HP that important or mainly the PSI?
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Ok, just finished my deck and now I have a valid excuse why I need one (and the wife gave the green light, I think)...
Any more opinions?
Any more opinions?
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Originally Posted by OldDude
Everything I've read says cleaning power is proportional to the product of pressure, and flow rate. In any hydraulic system, the product of those two is proportional to power. So get the pressure and good flow will take a certain pump capacity and the horsepower to turn it.
Home depot used to have some nice ones with B&S engines on them, injector systems, 5 pressure nozzles, the wand, and an offer for free accessories like a wand extender, rotating scrubber brush, etc.
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What do you mean "Inject"? What would you inject? Like a cleaning fluid or something? Does that make it foam or what not??
Thanks. I'll check out the HD..
Thanks. I'll check out the HD..
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Originally Posted by tbird2340
What do you mean "Inject"? What would you inject? Like a cleaning fluid or something? Does that make it foam or what not??
Thanks. I'll check out the HD..
Thanks. I'll check out the HD..
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Originally Posted by Jeeden
You can buy jugs of solutions at many places like home depot etc. They usually come in a gallon jug and are project specific. I know they have siding wash, deck wash, concrete wash, and a bunch of others. It's concentrated so what you do is take so many parts of the solution and mix it in a bucket with water. Then the pressure washer has a tube that you plug into the washer and dip into the bucket. When you use the low pressure nozzle it injects the solution into the water stream and sprays it on what your washing (just like a self car wash). You then leave it for 4-5 minutes or something, put the higher pressure nozzle on the machine and wash the area with high pressure clean water. It does great for making decks and siding brighter, some have anti mold stuff. you could even do car soap to wash your car.
#22
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I, too, am looking for a pressure washer. It's my anniversary gift from my wife. I found this one at Lowes for $274 and will use a 10% "movers" coupon to get it for $247. It looks to be similar to all the 2200 psi washers out there....B&S motor, etc.
I'm looking to clean the vinyl siding on the house, spray down the cement patio and driveway, and clean the vehicles.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...245&lpage=none
I'm looking to clean the vinyl siding on the house, spray down the cement patio and driveway, and clean the vehicles.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...245&lpage=none
#23
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That looks like a good price. Did you actually "move" to get that coupon? I remember getting one a while back but sure would like another one.. Wouldy ou be willing to "sell" that coupon to me if I pay you the differnce of the $274 - 10%? We plan on making a couple big purchases (cabinets / flooring).
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I didn't actually move, just signed up.
It's pretty easy to get one.
Go here: http://www.lowesmoving.com/lowesmoving/
Use a new email address. I think you may want to slightly modify you address as well (such as leaving off Ave or St or slightly mispelling the street name). I'm not sure what they check for. I've gotten several over the past few years. If you need a new email address, I can send you a gmail invite.
I think you can also buy them on ebay from people, but make sure they haven't been used yet. Sometimes they get used at Lowes, and people sell a copy to take to Home Depot (Lowes coupons are one time use).
It's pretty easy to get one.
Go here: http://www.lowesmoving.com/lowesmoving/
Use a new email address. I think you may want to slightly modify you address as well (such as leaving off Ave or St or slightly mispelling the street name). I'm not sure what they check for. I've gotten several over the past few years. If you need a new email address, I can send you a gmail invite.
I think you can also buy them on ebay from people, but make sure they haven't been used yet. Sometimes they get used at Lowes, and people sell a copy to take to Home Depot (Lowes coupons are one time use).