Eastern Power Equipment
285 Route 9 PO Box 97 Barrington, NH 03825
Phone 603/664-7776 | Toll Free 866/664-7776 | Fax 603/664-7420 | email chuck@easternpowerequipment.com
Cleaning is a Blast with a Pressure Washer
When that garden hose just isn’t cutting the grit anymore, you may need to kick it up a notch and rent a pressure washer. It can remove grunge from siding, garages, driveways, sheds, fences and decks with a stream of high-pressure water that makes cleaning fast and easy.
Several pressure washer styles are available at an ARA affiliated rental shop. Most stores carry top-of-the-line models and the manager can advise on the best one for your purpose. Renting may also make more sense for homeowners who don’t want the hassle or cost of maintaining a machine that will only get used once a year.
Matt Hoefer, of Mi-T-M Corporation in Peosta, Iowa, says the new generation of pressure washers available at some rental shops reflect a lighter, more versatile power tool that is easy to handle. Mi-T-M’s newest model features an aluminum frame that makes it more manageable for many homeowner tasks.
Pressure washer nitty-gritty:
- PSI or Pounds per square inch. Depending on your job will depend on the washer PSI needed. A rule of thumb: 1800-2000 is good for general cleaning; 2300-2700 is good for blasting grease and grime; and 2800-3500 for stripping paint.
- GPM or Gallons Per Minute. The larger the GPM, the more surface area a pressure washer can clean. For example, a 2000-PSI model with a 2 GPM flow rate can clean approximately 5-7 square feet in one minute. On the other hand, if the same model had a 3 GPM flow rate, it could clean 8-10 square feet in the same amount of time.
- Gas or Electric: Electric pressure washers deliver 1300 to 1400-PSI, require about 1-1/2 GPM and are the best choice for light-duty cleaning like washing cars. They are quieter, lighter in weight and more portable. You can plug it into a 110v, but you will only get about 1000 PSI out of the machine, so access to a 220v is best for an electric washer. The gas version delivers higher water pressure than the electric, but also require more water: 2 to 3 GPM. These washers are the best choice for bigger jobs like preparing siding for painting or deep-cleaning concrete.
- Belt or Direct Driven. Belt-driven washers are generally reserved for uses that require a long period of time, like washing a house or building. Direct-driven washers are more compact and associated with tasks such as cleaning a deck or concrete patio.
- Accessories. Pressure washer tips vary in degrees, sizes and applications depending on purpose. Extension wands are available for hard-to-reach areas. Your rental expert can help you choose the right tips, extensions, detergents and solvents for your task.
Of important note: pressure washers are industrial tools, not water guns or toys. Use caution at all times. Pressure can penetrate skin and put out eyes. Review all safety features before use.
- Cleaning tips:
- In most cases, cold water, without detergent, works just fine to clean home exteriors.
- For best results, learn to keep the nozzle an equal distance from the surface at all times.
- Use cold water to pressure wash wood decks. Heat can cause the wood to expand.
- Clean mold and mildew with chemicals. Scrub with a brush and rinse with the pressure washer.
- Bleach is the most popular agent to clean and brighten a deck. It works best if mixed with a good detergent. Mix one part bleach with three parts water, or add 25 percent bleach to your detergent.