A pressure washer’s exceptional cleaning ability makes it a necessity for many households. But as with all powerful tools, proper use requires great care. So, here we are with some ingenious tips for pressure washer so you can make most out of the process and bring your home’s exterior back to life.
A pressure washer is one of the most helpful pieces of equipment for cleaning outdoor items and surfaces with stubborn stains.
The exterior of your home take tons of dirt and grime that’s not always visible. But some accumulated dirt can take a hard toll on the durability and longevity of your home’s exterior element.
But just like any other power equipment, you need to know the “proper usage” and follow our tips for pressure washing. Especially if you’re using pressure washer for the first time, you must maintain it and keep it in good working condition.
You need to understand how it works to avoid making mistakes that will damage your electric pressure washer. And for your convenience, we’ve jotted down some common mistakes that can ruin your electrical pressure washer.
Read the article to learn more!
Pressure washing tips
Choose the right type of pressure washer
Pressure washers come in two versions – electric and gas-powered. Both the types deliver differently and have varied efficiency. We measure the efficiency of the equipment in two parameters:
- Pounds of pressure per square inch (PSI)
- Gallons of water per minute (GPM)
If you compare both the versions, electric powered pressure washer provides lower PSI and GPM and so if you want to get rid of some stubborn stains, we prefer to opt gas version.
| Gas pressure washer | Electric Pressure Washer |
| Wide range of PSI and GPM Levels, they’re able to generate power. | Lacks power and are thus not suitable for cleaning large dirty areas. |
| Clean faster and more efficiently | You need more time and effort to clean |
| Doesn’t require a power outlet and thus they’re more portable | Requires a power outlet and thus not that good at portability. |
| Produce more sound during operation | Doesn’t produce much sound or annoyance. |
| They produce emissions and are not good for indoor applications. | Don’t produce any harmful emissions and are thus ideal for indoor applications. |
Choosing the right nozzle tip
Apart from the size of the pressure washer motor, it’s important to pick the right nozzle tip. The nozzle is actually responsible for creating the right angle for a perfect water stream. This angle can make or break your entire pressure washing dream. A tip generating narrow angle will offer more powerful stream than a large-angle spray.
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And you don’t always need a powerful stream. In pressure washer industry, the tip size or angle is differentiated with the color of the nozzle. Some common color’s used for specifying the tip are:
- Red – Produces the narrowest – almost zero angle. That’s able to generate the most powerful stream of water. It can do some damage, so be careful to use this tip while close to any surface.
- Yellow – 150 angle – best for washing concrete.
- Green – 250 angle – Best for all-purpose household pressure washing – Use it to wash car, clean windows, or patio furniture.
- White – 400 angle spray – Suitable for windows and siding – Best for exterior home cleaning.
- Black – 650 angle spray – Best for gentle application – Use it only to wet the surface.
Safety comes first
Like any other power-operated equipment, be sure to equip necessary safety protection while using pressure washer. Use ear plugs, as they’re loud. Use eye protection as they can direct stream of debris and dirt towards your eyes.
Don’t get too close & Hold wand securely
If you’re a newbie, use both hands. Using pressure washer needs confidence and so it’s best to hold the wand securely and don’t let it fly off your grip.
Expert pressure washers recommend keeping the tip of the nozzle at least 18 inches away from the surface while cleaning. This is for your safety and minimizes the risk of damage.
Mistakes to avoid during pressure washing
1. Not Knowing Your Equipment Well
While using the electrical pressure washer for washing, you risk doing significant harm if you don’t know how to operate the equipment correctly.
Any type of rental equipment should be thoroughly demonstrated before you take it with you. Additionally, before utilizing the power washer you have acquired, make sure to read the instruction booklet.
One of the most common mistakes people make is failing to read the instructions on how to use the electrical pressure washer, which results in problems that cannot be fixed later, and you may have to call an expert to solve the problem.
2. Applying Excessive Pressure
Power washing with excessive pressure can etch concrete, splinter wood, and punch holes in vinyl siding, which can be caused by the electrical pressure washer, resulting in splinters getting inside it as well.
Hence, we recommend starting with the lowest pressure setting, increasing it gradually, and keeping enough distance between the area and you while you’re cleaning to prevent harm.
The electrical pressure washer usually needs a 20 amp breaker, and you should never swap it with a higher amp breaker like 40 amp, and hence excessive pressure may not be good for your pressure washer.
However, to figure out what size wire for a 40 amp breaker is suitable, you should learn about the amperage of the circuit and the length of the wire.
3. Using the Incorrect Tip
Most pressure washers include a wide range of tips. Some streams produce a broad fan of water, while others concentrate the water into a tight stream by adding air.
Because there is less concentrated pressure and a lower risk of injuring the surface, the majority of DIYers should begin with a broader nozzle on a low power level.
Hence, when you are using the electrical pressure washer, make sure you are choosing the ideal tip so that it doesn’t damage the electrical pressure washer when you are using it.
4. Window Washing
While using a low-pressure washer to clean windows is conceivable, it’s typically not a good idea to use a power washer on the windows. (Those who recently bought a pressure washer should heed our advice and refrain from using it on glass for the first time.)
A washer with a narrow tip and a high-pressure setting has the potential to shatter glass, break window seals, and harm window screens.
Additionally, any water that breaches the window’s seal and seeps into the wall may cause mold growth and internal decay. And it may end up damaging your electrical pressure washer instead since, with such intense pressure, the tip may have shards of glass enter inside the electrical pressure washer as it contains holes in the opening part.
5. A Faulty Fuse
One frequent cause of an electric pressure washer not working, having issues with it, or getting ruined is a faulty or blown a fuse. Ensure the extension cord’s and outlet’s voltage are appropriate for running your pressure washer.
A blown a fuse could result from your pressure washer using a greater current due to a decreased voltage.
A multimeter should be used to troubleshoot the fuse. Place the multimeter probes at the fuse’s two ends after removing the fuse. Set the resistance level. If the multimeter reads a high resistance, your pressure washer’s fuse is likely damaged and must be replaced.
6. Defective Capacitor
Your pressure washer’s damaged capacitor is the next typical cause of it not starting if the fuse is not the problem. Your machine’s motor contains a capacitor; the motor won’t operate if it burns.
Use a screwdriver to remove the motor’s outer shell to inspect the capacitor. It is damaged if a capacitor is bulging or turning black. Remove the damaged capacitor and switch out a new one to repair your pressure washer.
Conclusion
Overall, we outlined “common mistakes that can ruin your electrical pressure washer.” We hope that the points mentioned above have aided you in using your electric pressure washer more efficiently and have resulted in less damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Exactly Do Electric Pressure Washers Do?
Powering electric pressure washers is, you guessed it, electricity!
They shoot pressurized water from a nozzle gun at pressures as much as 3,500 pounds per square inch using an electric motor or pump (psi).
This amount of pressure will be more than adequate for most ordinary cleaning tasks, such as getting rid of dirt, old painting, mildew, and oil. As a result, it is a popular option for both industrial and domestic applications.
2. Why Should I Buy an Electric Pressure Washer?
We are confident that an electric pressure washer is certainly worthwhile, whether it is used for household or commercial purposes. If you’re in a grime-prone field like culinary, automotive, or commercial cleaning, an electric pressure washer could be a priceless addition to your collection of cleaning instruments.
