Pressure washer

[Uncle Gump]

I'm in the market for a pressure washer. After much thought I want to go electric. Mainly because I want my wife to be able to easily use it and.... I'm not sure I want another gasoline engine to maintain right now. I know the electric models fall short on performance vs. gas powered but for projects around the house and ease of use I'm going to forgo some performance.

Got any helpful tips/reviews to help me narrow down the options out there?

 

[fastpakr]

I bought an electric (Sun Joe SPX3000) a few years back and for general home use have never looked back. As you said - no maintenance to deal with. Just connect power and water and you're in business no matter how long it's been tucked away in the garage. A gas unit does generate more pressure, but I haven't really needed that in the time since switching. I could probably rent one if that need ever arose.

 

[bilbo]

I bought a gas one, because I needed the power for one project. I wish I had just rented that and bought an electric one.

 

[dvdswan]

I bought pressure washer from Lowes' years ago when I bought my house. IIRC its somewhere around 1800 psi. I guess its sort of a cheapo, but it has done wonders for me. I've had 10 + years, used it every other year to clean off my deck, last year I did the whole house before I painted it. It gets used at least once a season with no issues. I did have to replace the hose grommet/gasket because it disappeared. I only wish I had a longer hose/extension as it is about 35' long.

Just went and looked at the model: Clean Force 1800

clean force 1800 - Google Search

 

[Roert42]

I bought a small Ryobi one a few years ago, 1600 PSI. About the size of a large lunch box. Fits nice on the shelf in the garage. They are $99 on home depots web site now.

Use it a few times a year, mainly for washing the cars and concrete. blowing moss of the roof of the garage. Works great bought some extra nozzles to use with it, just a standard fitting.

Last time I used it kept cycling on and off when I wasn't using it, I think the check valve may be stuck. The electric motor is run off a pressure switch so when it gets to pressure, if you are not using it, it turns off. In 5 years, if that's the only problem with it, I would say that's a win.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Yeah... wife wants to paint the deck. So it needs cleaned. The house needs a good wash too. That would be the biggest jobs current on the to do list. Other then that... just washing cars and some engine bay cleaning for the most part.

I do have some restaurant cleaning that I can use it for too... so I can make it pay for itself in a day. So spending a little more for a good one is OK with me.

 

[dvdswan]

Just remember the more powerful ones; i.e. 2500, 3000, and up psi are going to remove paint, dead/rotted wood, etc. and SOAK the wood so it needs a couple weeks to fully dry. I waited a week between washing and painting the house BTW.

 

[Uncle Gump]

For the deck... I'm good with it lifting some old paint. The restaurant cleaning will welcome the extra pressure too.

I think nozzle selection has a lot to do it.

But good tip on letting it dry... the wife seems to think I can wash it one day and she can paint the next.

 

[Blmpkn]

My experience with electric washers is that they need an annoyingly short hose to build and keep pressure.

Had a harbor freight unit a few years back, and it wouldn't keep consistent pressure. Thought it was junk and tossed it.. It WAS at the end of a 50' hose though..

I bought the 100$ ryobi washer last year (read the directions this time) and IIRC it reccomends a hose 15' or shorter. If the hose is too long it won't build pressure properly for whatever reason, lesson learned. Even with the proper length hose it's not as consistent as a gas washer.

 

[fastpakr]

Weird - I never noticed that issue. Though IIRC mine was using a 5/8" hose so that may have helped with any potential supply issues.

 

[Blmpkn]

Weird - I never noticed that issue. Though IIRC mine was using a 5/8" hose so that may have helped with any potential supply issues.

I'd like to think that all the hoses I've used have been 5/8.. but im not positive. The water pressure at the house is insane as well.. who knows

All I know is I need to pressure wash my squarebody frame which is nearly 100' feet away from the house.. so I'm SOL dammit.

 

[Uncle Gump]

The unit I've been looking at has a 25 foot hose... still short imho.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I'd like to thiIMHO.
at all the hoses I've used have been 5/8.. but im not positive. The water pressure at the house is insane as well.. who knows

All I know is I need to pressure wash my squarebody frame which is nearly 100' feet away from the house.. so I'm SOL dammit.

Put it on the bent up trailer and drag it closer?

 

[bilbo]

If you can swing it for a really good one, maybe see about one that can run heated water. Most can't without damaging the pump. We have some at work that heat the HP water, and some that have pumps rated for hot water, much less bulky. Either way they are mean SOBs and clean just about anything without additional chemicals.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Don't think I want to spend that much money right now @bilbo ... maybe after I get moved and have a big heated shop.