Struggling with cleaning outdoor areas? A well-made pressure washer will do the trick as these machines are equipped with a gas or electric-powered engine to power a pump. The pump then ejects water at high pressure through a nozzle to remove accumulated dirt off different surfaces.
But as you clean several exterior surfaces, the question always arises: are pressure washers adjustable?
Luckily, they are. You can actually adjust the pressure of the water coming out of your pressure washer based on your cleaning needs.
Keep on reading to learn more about this topic.
Are Pressure Washers Adjustable
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When using a brush and soapy water seems like an impossible or difficult task, a pressure washer will do the trick. The water coming out of the nozzle will have enough power to remove tough stains like mud, grease, tar, wax, and even rust off different surfaces. You can use a pressure washer to clean your car, the outside of your house, an exterior pergola, patio, driveway, or garage.
Because you use this tool to clean different surfaces and remove various kinds of soils, you should have the ability to adjust the water pressure, so it matches the nature of the surface and debris you’re dealing with.
There are several ways you can adjust a pressure washer to be better suited for your cleaning needs.
Adjust the Pressure
Your pressure washer might have a button that allows you to adjust the maximum pressure of the water coming out of the machine. This is referred to as the PSI rating or pounds per square inch.
A pressure washer with a higher PSI rating will have a stronger cleaning power because it delivers water at a higher pressure. By dialing the pressure knob, you will be able to clean various surfaces from the concrete driveway to your window.
Choose a Different GPM
Every pressure washer has a rating called the GPM or the gallons per minute. It refers to the amount of water that flows through the machine per one minute of operation.
You can change this setting based on your cleaning needs. For example, a faster GPM means that more water will flow through the nozzle and will have a higher cleaning power.
Modify the Pattern
Some pressure washers come with adjustable wands that allow you to alternate between different spraying patterns. The water coming out can be concentrated with high pressure or have a wider pattern with lower pressure.
A concentrated beam of water will have enough power to remove tough stains and stuck grime off various surfaces. A wider beam of water will cover a bigger area faster, so you can use it while rinsing or when you’re dealing with a fragile surface.
Pick a Different Nozzle
The nozzle or the tip at the end of the hose will change the shape and pressure of the water spray coming out of your pressure washer. A small and narrow tip will produce a concentrated and narrow beam with high water pressure, while a bigger and wider nozzle will reduce the pressure.
Use a narrow nozzle if you want to remove some stuck grime because it will push the particles away. A big nozzle will work when you’re applying a cleaning detergent because it will cover a larger area.
Stand At a Different Distance
The way you hold the pressure washer will also affect the way it functions. When you’re using a higher PSI to clean a tough stain, you can increase the power of the water spray by standing closer to the surface you’re trying to clean. Standing away from the surface, even when the PSI is high, will slightly reduce the power of the water spray.
While cleaning, the pressure washer should never be closer than 2 inches to the surface because it can cause some damage. You should also avoid standing too close to plants beds because the pressure will be too high.
How To Choose the Right Pressure Washer
A pressure washer or cleaner comes in different shapes to help remove the grime that a garden hose can’t clean. Here are a few things to consider before shopping for one.
Electric or Gas Pressure Washer
Electric pressure washers are easier to use because they’re quieter and lighter. You just pick the right PSI, make sure that you’ve picked the right nozzle, and flip a switch to get your cleaning machine to work.
However, these models are also less powerful, so they’re suitable for low to medium-duty cleaning jobs. Pick a machine with an extension cord to allow you to clean more areas as you move away from the power outlet.
A gas pressure washer is more mobile because you don’t have to worry about staying close to the power outlet. So, you can use it to clean the fence, the driveway, or the sidewalk.
Some machines have a manual pull-start feature, while others have an electric starter which is easier to use. A gas pressure washer is heavier than an electric one but has more cleaning power.
Cleaning Power
Every pressure washer has a rating that refers to its cleaning power, indicated by the PSI and GPM. A low-duty machine will have a rating between 1300 and 1900 PSI at 2 GPM. This is a compact machine for cleaning your car, patio, grills, outdoor furniture, windows, and decks.
A medium-duty pressure washer generates pressure between 2000 and 2800 PSI at 2 or 3 GPM. It will be powerful enough to clean your sidewalk and driveway. A heavy-duty pressure washer is suitable for the most challenging cleaning jobs. It will generate more than 2800 PSI at 3 to 4 GPM. This machine will clean multi-level buildings, strip paint off, and remove rust stains.
Heat
Most pressure washers use cold water for cleaning. These machines are suitable for home-scale cleaning jobs, from cleaning dirt, grease, loose paint to removing mildew and other types of buildup.
For industrial-level jobs, a hot pressure washer will be more suitable. This machine combines the power of the ejected water with heat to remove tough stains.
At the same time, it uses less detergent and cleaning chemicals because the hot temperature will help dissolve the grime particles. However, hot pressure washers are more expensive and difficult to use.
Conclusion
Having a pressure washer will make cleaning easier and less time-consuming because these machines produce enough power to remove tough stains off various surfaces. You can adjust the pressure of the water produced by selecting a different PSI, GPM, picking a different pattern, or nozzle to suit different cleaning tasks. You can also hold the pressure washer close to or away from the surface you’re cleaning to have more adjustability.
