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Pressure Washer Recommendation

WranglerWrangler Member Posts: 5,788 ✭
edited November 2016 in General Discussion
I need a light-duty pressure washer for small home jobs, such as cleaning the driveway, fence and gutters. Looking at one of the smaller electric models. Any recommendations or advice? This would be my first pressure washer.
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Comments

  • spasmcreekspasmcreek Member Posts: 37,717 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    probably any one of the box store electric models...check on cunsumers reports or on line reviews ..bet they are all made in china
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  • BikerBobBikerBob Member Posts: 2,745 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a gas one from Karcher. I've had it a long time now, it works well. It replaced an electric one or two that couldn't take the use on the house, deck, garage, and equipment.

    I'd go with another if they had issues.
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  • asphalt cowboyasphalt cowboy Member Posts: 8,904 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Being the cheap buzzard I am I bought one of these earlier this year.
    http://tinyurl.com/jln8mp5

    First tried it out on my Jeep with the self rustproofing. The regular spray nozzle didn't do much so I tried the turbo nozzle. Worrrrrrrld of difference. The underside still looked oily, but the oil and crud/crap buildup was gone. Mixed up a quarter cup of Dawn in the two gallon garden sprayer and sprayed underneath and under the hood and let set a half hour. A major part of the oil film washed off.

    Since the main reason for buying is to strip paint when I paint the house next summer I tried it on the bleened up masonite siding on the garage. Not only did it remove loose paint, it dug little divots out of the siding.
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  • CoolhandLukeCoolhandLuke Member Posts: 7,826 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Don't buy anything under 2000 PSI the 1500 and 1750 are worthless.
    We have to fight so we can run away.
    Capt. Jack Sparrow.
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  • Smitty500magSmitty500mag Member Posts: 13,623 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    When it comes to pressure washers you can't get to much pressure. The little ones will wear you down and it'll still look like crap.

    I got rid of my sorry electric pressures washers and bought something that cleans for a change. My Generac is 3,800 psi.


    DSCN0351.jpg


    DSCN0349.jpg


    I bought one of these attachments to speed up the driveway cleaning next time.

    ab46bf67_05c9_4458_a042_bdfed8b82dc3_1000.jpg


    636a7273_8721_46f5_ac2d_af201ad9f9db_1000.jpg
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  • SCOUT5SCOUT5 Member Posts: 16,181 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've had a couple, they didn't have a very long life and are only a little better than a garden hose with a wand. I've decided if I really need a pressure (gas powered) I'll just rent one. Unless a person is using one quite a bit they are not worth the investment or upkeep cost.
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  • LesWVaLesWVa Member Posts: 10,490 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by CoolhandLuke
    Don't buy anything under 2000 PSI the 1500 and 1750 are worthless.


    +1

    About all they are good for is washing cars.

    Actually, I have yet to find any electric powered pressure washer to be worth hauling home.. Most have a 1.5 to 1.75 gallon per minute pump. One could produce 3500 psi. But if it does not have a good 3 to 4 gallon per minute water flow, it is about useless unless you want to spend all day on a 50' long driveway.


    If I were seriously looking for an electric. I would choose nothing but a Baldor (BE). I do not see paying nearly $1500 for a 3000 psi, 4.5 gallon, 220V electric pressure washer anywhere in my future.
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  • bullshotbullshot Member Posts: 14,705 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    +1 on the Karcher, I've had one for years and never a problem.
    "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you"
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  • john wjohn w Member Posts: 4,104
    edited November -1
    Whatever you buy make sure to winterize it if cold climate or when you put it away for months on end. The aluminum pumps corode and mineral up if not winterized. B&S makes a can that you hook up to the water supply side of the pump and injects a lube antifreeze mixture to keep the pump clean and lubed during storage.
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  • john wjohn w Member Posts: 4,104
    edited November -1
    Lowes has the B&S lube in the garden mower dept. One can will last for 2 to 3 seasons as you only use enough till it squirts out the pressure hose side
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  • john wjohn w Member Posts: 4,104
    edited November -1
    Lowes has the B&S lube in the garden mower dept. One can will last for 2 to 3 seasons as you only use enough till it squirts out the pressure hose side
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  • john wjohn w Member Posts: 4,104
    edited November -1
    Whatever you buy make sure to winterize it if cold climate or when you put it away for months on end. The aluminum pumps corode and mineral up if not winterized. B&S makes a can that you hook up to the water supply side of the pump and injects a lube antifreeze mixture to keep the pump clean and lubed during storage.
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  • john wjohn w Member Posts: 4,104
    edited November -1
    Whatever you buy make sure to winterize it if cold climate or when you put it away for months on end. The aluminum pumps corode and mineral up if not winterized. B&S makes a can that you hook up to the water supply side of the pump and injects a lube antifreeze mixture to keep the pump clean and lubed during storage.
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  • EVILDR235EVILDR235 Member Posts: 4,398 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    It's easy to pick a good one. Just look at CL's and count the number of broken ones for sale or for free. Then pick the brand that has the least amount of ones listed. The pumps seem to be the weak part of them.

    EvilDr235
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  • joshmb1982joshmb1982 Member Posts: 8,228 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I started out with some 1700 psi electric one that wouldn't take the mildew off my deck. Went and bought a gas powered 3000 psi Troy built from lowes. Came with 4 different tips. I'm happy with it. It starts very easy. After winter storage usually 5 pulls or less to start.

    Only problem I've had is there's a aluminum piece on the bottom of the pump that the pressure washer hose connects to. Apparently I've got minerals in my water because if I don't unscrew the aluminum piece from the pump it will dry out and clog solid, and it will get seized in there and snap off before it will break free. So now I take it off after each use and zip tie it to the handle. Not really a big deal except for the first year learning this.
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  • mlincolnmlincoln Member Posts: 5,039 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A lot of folks go to Home Depot, but a pressure washer for a big project, use it, and then return it. Really, a lot. It got so bad with snow storms and generators that HD started saying they would refuse to accept returns on generators bought right before a big storm.

    You might want to go over and see what is on their used / repaired / checked over lot. They usually offer a full warranty, and it's $100+ off the original price. If you chat nicely with them and if you are a regular customer, they will sometimes knock another $50 off the price.

    Just a thought. I would hesitate to buy an electric job. The whole point of the machine is pressure, and they don't provide much. You can always step down the pressure, but you can't step it up. Good luck.
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  • danielgagedanielgage Member Posts: 10,557 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I bought a Simpson with a Honda engine at Lowes this year I hope it works out good so far it has it was @ $800.00

    love the way those Honda engines start and run first or second crank
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  • fishkiller41fishkiller41 Member Posts: 50,608
    edited November -1
    Driveways are not "Light-Duty"Jobs..
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  • john wjohn w Member Posts: 4,104
    edited November -1
    Damn I pad. Sorry guys I dont know why it posts multiple times
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  • john wjohn w Member Posts: 4,104
    edited November -1
    Damn I pad. Sorry guys I dont know why it posts multiple times
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