January 14, 2024

Your house exterior might appear clean, but dirt builds up over time. This doesn’t reflect poorly on your maintenance. it’s simply inevitable due to constant exposure to the elements. However, neglecting this dirt can detract from your home’s curb appeal. Power washing techniques offer a powerful solution for exterior cleaning. While it might seem straightforward, proper technique is crucial. Using a power washer incorrectly can cause damage. If you’re new to pressure washing, this guide is a great place to start! Pressure Washer: Gas or Electric? Pressure washers use a pump to increase the pressure of the water flowing from the connected hose. This pump can run on gasoline or electricity. Of course, in addition to advantages, both cases have disadvantages, which we will discuss further. Gas pressure washer Gas-fired washers usually have a higher PSI and GPM than electric ones. This extra power means they clean surfaces faster. Advantages of gas pressure washers Gas-fired pressure washers can produce different levels of PSI and GPM. These washers can clean surfaces faster and more efficiently than electric models, and they also offer you more options. These washers are wireless, so if you are not near a power outlet, you can continue working. Disadvantages of gas pressure washers Gasoline engines, even small ones, need constant maintenance. If you plan to keep the machine for a long time, you should change the oil periodically and make sure you use the right fuel additives. Gasoline engines are louder than electric engines. They also produce greenhouse gases. You should also remember that you should never use gas-pressure washers indoors or in enclosed spaces. Electric pressure washer In some situations, electric washers are much more convenient than gas ones. Also, you don’t need to worry about gas fumes. Advantages of electric pressure washers Electric pressure washers do not produce harmful gas. If you want, you can also use them inside the house. An electric motor means you don’t have to worry about oil changes and other maintenance. Disadvantages of electric pressure washers An electric pressure washer cannot match the power of a gas-burning model. If you need to clean a large or filthy area, you may spend more time with an electric pressure washer to get the job done. You may not even get the results you expect. Because these washers require an electrical outlet, they are less portable than gasoline. Best size for pressure washer in Power washing techniques Apart from deciding whether you want a gas or electric pressure washer, you also need to decide on the size of the motor. Like all other machines that work with an engine, the size of the engine determines the total power of the unit. A small engine cannot produce the same water pressure or gallons per minute output as a larger engine. In general, it should be said that pressure washer engines are divided into four categories: Light pressure washers Light pressure washers produce water pressure levels below PSI 2000. If you just want to clean your patio occasionally, a lightweight electric pressure washer will do the trick. Medium pressure washers If you plan to clean the sides, corridors, or fences of the house, you need a medium-pressure washer. A pressure washer of this size produces water pressure levels between 2000 and 2800 PSI. Heavy duty washers If you know you’re going to be cleaning a large area of concrete before moving on to the next floor, a heavy-duty pressure washer may be the best option for you. Heavy-duty washers reach pressure levels between 2900 and 3300 PSI. Best nozzle for you due to the pressure-washing techniques As you can see, the size of the pressure washer motor determines the overall power of the machine, along the nozzle you choose determines the angle of the water flow. The angle is very important because it affects what the water flow can do. A narrow-angle spray is more powerful than a wide-angle spray. Nozzle color coding Pressure washer nozzles have a universal color code: Red nozzle The red tip has the narrowest angle, i.e. zero degrees. This tip creates a stream of water that can do a lot of damage so be careful when using it. Do not use a red-tipped nozzle close to any surface. Yellow nozzle The gold tip creates a spray at an angle of 15 degrees. You can use this nozzle when you need to press and wash concrete. Green nozzle The green tip produces a 25-degree spray. It works well for all-purpose household pressure washing. This is a nozzle that is used to wash the car or the mold on the couch. White nozzles This type of nozzle is the most user-friendly, producing a 40-degree spray. If you are planning to clean the exterior of the house, use this nozzle. This white tip is suitable for windows and siding. Black nozzle The black nozzle creates a 65-degree spray angle, and the nozzle trim is gentle. This spray is so light that it doesn’t usually remove dirt or stains, but it’s good when you just need to wet the surface. Specialized Nozzles & Attachments For more efficient cleaning, consider using an attachment that is specifically designed for your job. Here are some common pressure washer connections duo to the best pressure washing techniques. Surface Cleaner This attachment uses a rotating rod to distribute a high-pressure stream of water over a larger area than a single spray. It helps to clean large concrete sections including walkways. Rotary Nozzle A rotating tip, also called a turbo nozzle, produces a zero-degree swirling water stream. This nozzle is very useful for removing difficult stains and dirt accumulation. Pressure Washing Broom This is similar to a Surface Cleaner that splits one water jet into two or three jets for more power and a larger cleaning area. Expandable Wand This tool can give you more access when you need to clean surfaces without a ladder. Soap/Detergent Reservoir This tool attaches to a pressure washer and adds a cleaning solution