Article Updated on August 31st 2023
Pressure washing looks straightforward. However, there’s a big difference between good and bad pressure washing. Today, we’re explaining the best tips, tricks, and techniques to help you pressure wash like a professional.
How to Wash Like a Pro: Tips and Tricks
Sure, you could fire up the pressure washer and start blasting at every piece of grime you see but there’s a smarter way to pressure wash. Follow the tips below to see how the professional pressure washers do it.- Spend time preparing the area before you pressure wash; sweep dirt, dust, and debris away from the surface otherwise, you’re just going to make a mess and it’s going to take longer to clean your driveway
- When cleaning most hard surfaces, use 4 to 6g GPM (gallons per minute) at 2,000 to 3000 PSI (pounds per square inch); this is considered to be medium pressure by most commercial contractors
- The only exception to this pressure rule is when cleaning wood or other “softer” surfaces, in which case you should use 500 to 2,000 psi
- Consider testing a piece of wood with your pressure washer before you begin washing, especially if you’re unsure about the PSI; find a spare piece of lumber, or flip the board over to see how your pressure washer affects the surface
- You have more options than just sandblasting; if sandblasting is too expensive, or the sand is too harsh, consider “soda blasting”, where you use baking soda as a softer, environmentally-friendly alternative to sandblasting
Choosing the Perfect Nozzle
Choosing a nozzle requires careful consideration of a number of different factors. Here are some tips to determine the right nozzle size:- The nozzle plays a crucial role in your cleaning process; nozzle size and spray angle determines the gallons per minute at different water pressures
- To determine nozzle size, you need to know the GPM (gallons per minute) and PSI (pounds per square inch) recommended for the surface you’re cleaning
- When your nozzle size increases, it reduces the PSI of your pressure washer without changing the flow
- When you reduce the pressure of your washer with the unloader, you decrease both the PSI and the GPM; smart contractors reduce the PSI by increasing nozzle size, not by adjusting PSI
- Zero degree nozzles concentrate all cleaning power into a very tight area, while 65 degree nozzles spread water to a wider area; typically, 40 degree nozzles are the most popular option because they provide strong cleaning power while still cleaning a large amount of surface space
- Rotating nozzles are another popular option; rotating nozzles combine the power of a zero degree nozzle with the coverage of a wider-angle nozzle
- When looking at nozzle labels, you’ll find that the standard nozzle size is a #4 orifice, which means the nozzle delivers 4 GPM at 4,000 PSI
- Understand that PSI isn’t constant throughout the length of the spray; your nozzle’s PSI measurement is based on the PSI when the water leaves the nozzle – the further you are from your target, the lower your PSI will be
Tips for Renting Versus Buying a Pressure Washer
One of the biggest pressure washing questions is whether you should rent or buy a pressure washer. Which one is the right choice for you?- If you own a home, and you plan to pressure wash once or twice a year for the foreseeable future, then buying a pressure washer is a smart option (assuming you have the storage space for the pressure washer)
- An average household pressure washer will cost between $350 and $600; if you want a professional model, then you can easily spend over $800
- Meanwhile, renting a better, more professional washer for a single day will cost you about $75 to $100
- You also need to factor in costs like maintenance and fuel
- Avoid electric pressure washers; yes, they’re cheaper, but they rarely provide the power needed to clean a full-sized home, property, or vehicle; typical electric pressure washers operate at 2400 cleaning units (PSI x GPM), while even average-grade gas engine pressure washers clean at over 6,000 cleaning units