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Pressure Washers PSI Needs

Posted on 3/17/21 at 12:58 pm
Posted by STLhog
Dallas, TX
Member since Jan 2015
18858 posts
Posted on 3/17/21 at 12:58 pm
Just looking for something that will clean driveway, wood/external house, fence, deck and also painted cinder block in garage before I paint it. Not trying to rip paint off anything.

Will 2900 electric be enough for those kind of jobs? Have no experience using them and don't want to buy over/under kill.
Posted by TBoy
Kalamazoo
Member since Dec 2007
27578 posts
Posted on 3/17/21 at 1:16 pm to
PSI is not really the thing that makes the difference. PSI is measured at the nozzle head and is different depending on what spray tip is used. A 2900 PSI pressure washer won't be running at 2900 PSI unless you attach a 0 degree spray tip. So that spec is lower than it may appear at first look.

The more important factor is the gallons per minute of the pump. Most electric machines will only flow around 1.5 GPM. There are very expensive electric machines which can exceed 2 GPM but they usually require a 220 power connection.

If you are cleaning concrete driveways, a consumer level electric pressure washer won't be able to generate enough flow to do the job. If you are washing your car or spraying Jomax off of a wall, sure, an electric may be enough.

In lower end gas pressure washers you can get a 6 hp, 212 cc Honda-clone engine and a 2.6+ GPM pump at Northern Tools for $299. A similar machine at Harbor Freight with a 2.8GPM pump is around $350.00 ($399.00 right now but they go on sale frequently to $350.00). Those will do the job quickly and efficiently and not break the bank.

Another temptation may be to get an actual Honda motor in the 160-170 cc range. My recommendation would be to resist that temptation because the motor will be underpowered. If getting a Honda powered machine, don't go below the 200 cc Honda motor. However, now you are talking real money, likely more than you need to spend.
This post was edited on 3/17/21 at 1:35 pm
Posted by STLhog
Dallas, TX
Member since Jan 2015
18858 posts
Posted on 3/17/21 at 1:21 pm to
Thanks man.

The 1.5 ryobi electric is right at $300 I think, sounds like going gas is the way. Will do.
Posted by TBoy
Kalamazoo
Member since Dec 2007
27578 posts
Posted on 3/17/21 at 1:30 pm to
Just a little tip to perhaps save you some trouble.

After you use the pressure washer there will be some water remaining in the pump. If the washer sits up for a while, especially over winter, that water can degrade or destroy the pump. My neighbor's pressure washer pump ruptured a few weeks ago when it got below freezing.

Disconnect the spray hose and pull the starter string a few times with the engine turned off so it won't start. The pump will push most of the water out. They also sell antifreeze/lubricant which you can spray into the pump to displace the water and protect the pump while it waits for the next job.

Always use fuel stabilizer and cut the motor off at the end of every job by turning off the fuel line and letting it run out of gas to the engine. Keep the oil fresh.
Posted by WigSplitta22
The Bottom
Member since Apr 2014
2305 posts
Posted on 3/17/21 at 1:56 pm to
quote:

If you are cleaning concrete driveways, a consumer level electric pressure washer won't be able to generate enough flow to do the job.



Yes it will. I have a $120 Ryobi that does a great job
Posted by jpcajun
Member since Nov 2010
1400 posts
Posted on 3/17/21 at 1:56 pm to
I bought the electric GreenWorks 2000psi from Lowes. I was going to buy a gas one but I don't use one alot and thought i would be fighting keeping carbs clean since not running alot. Glad i did. My Green Works will peel paint if i let it! If all you are doing is cleaning your house, fence, driveway.... look at the Greenworks 2000psi. Perfect for those jobs and has tons of power for electric.
Posted by armsdealer
Member since Feb 2016
12277 posts
Posted on 3/17/21 at 3:02 pm to
I LOVE my electric pressure washer.

I'd NEVER do those jobs with an electric pressure washer!

It is great for the boat, cars, patio furniture and other small jobs.

Forget about PSI, it doesn't really matter in this context, you want GPM. The Karcher 1700 is the best budget pick, if you want something that can handle those jobs you want a Kranzle, but they require a dedicated circuit and most people who get one mount them to the wall so you would need a TON of hose.
Posted by UPGDude
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2021
646 posts
Posted on 3/17/21 at 6:39 pm to
I love my electric pressure washer too (washing cars and very light duty) but I would never use that to clean my driveway or wash bricks. I have a gas pressure washer for that.
Posted by STLhog
Dallas, TX
Member since Jan 2015
18858 posts
Posted on 3/17/21 at 6:58 pm to
Damn, just cuck us all why don't you.

Appreciate the info guys, ill keep doing more research but may just go electric and see how things turn out. 2 GPM should probably do what I need.
Posted by TBoy
Kalamazoo
Member since Dec 2007
27578 posts
Posted on 3/18/21 at 7:40 am to
You’ll be fine regardless of what you ultimately decide. If not, then you just get to shop again. There are worse things.

Just take care of the machine and the pump and it will last a whole lot longer than my first one lasted, which I destroyed by not taking a few minutes at the end of each job to put it away properly. Now I put it away every time like I won’t use it for a long time. It’s a good tool to have.
Posted by greygoose
Member since Aug 2013
14329 posts
Posted on 3/18/21 at 7:59 am to
quote:

Yes it will. I have a $120 Ryobi that does a great job
I just did my concrete walkway with my electric. No detergent, just water pressure. Looks like it was just poured 2 weeks ago.
Posted by cajun9
Member since Jun 2016
9 posts
Posted on 3/18/21 at 8:17 am to
My philosophy is to own an electric one for everyday jobs, and rent one for things like cleaning a large driveway quick. I have this one and it will even clean the concrete perfectly fine, just not as fast. I got it on sale for $100.

SunJoe Pressure Washer

If your wife loves to pressure wash like mine, electric is a no brainer. My wife pressure washed the entire house, driveway, within a week after the pressure washer arrived.
Posted by footballdude
BR
Member since Sep 2010
1113 posts
Posted on 3/18/21 at 8:58 am to
Electric is not really enough power for cleaning a driveway.

For a driveway you need a gas PW plus one of these:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-15-in-3300-PSI-Surface-Cleaner-for-Gas-Pressure-Washer-RY31SC01/306343055?

Side note, these can be modified to fit many common PW surface cleaners:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079Z21YS7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Took about 15 mins to adapt to mine.
This post was edited on 3/18/21 at 9:03 am
Posted by TU Rob
Birmingham
Member since Nov 2008
13332 posts
Posted on 3/18/21 at 2:44 pm to
I've got an ancient 1750 PSI electric that does fine on our driveway, and it is old concrete. Yeah it takes longer with a surface cleaner attachment, but I've done the driveway and sidewalk a couple of times and it gets it really clean. I have two wands with mine. One you can adjust the fan width on the sprayer tip, and the other has a tip that rotates. Both will get the job done. I'm going to replace it when it ever dies with a slightly more powerful electric with the surface cleaner attachment.
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