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Pressure Washer Basics

Ressure Washer
I purchased my first pressure washer about 15 years ago to prepare a very old (100 years old) surface for painting. I purchased the cheapest unit I could. It delivered about 1500 PSI when it was new and I think the output dropped rapidly as the pump broke in. The unit worked great for knocking the loose paint off an old house. Once I had, I used for cleaning the driveway, my deck, bikes, and cars. After I wore that unit out, I purchased a new 3500-PSI unit from Costco. I use it about once per month now that I am working on the computer and not on houses. When you need a pressure washer, there is no substitute.

Here is the technical stuff.

The ability to clean is based on a combination of: chemicals, heat, pressure and flow.

Most pressure washers don?t work with hot water so you are left with 3 variables. Now, even though pressure washers can deliver chemical, then can?t do it at high pressure. That leaves you with 2 option for cleaning: pressure and flow: If you can get a high flow rate and high pressure then you can literally wear down any soft material and break the bonds between 2 different materials. When looking at pressure washer, check both the flow rate and pressure. A low flow rate but high-pressure unit will not have the volume to clean large jobs quickly. In general buy as much pressure and flow rate as you can afford. In most cleaning application, start with the application of cleaner or degreaser. The cleaner will start breaking the bonds before you even start the pressure washer. This will help dirt rinse away for the part being washed so and not just break loose and sit there.


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