How to Choose the Right Pressure Washer for You

If you're in the market for a pressure washer, you may be overwhelmed by the variety of models, power levels, and features available. Whether you're a homeowner looking to clean your driveway or a business owner needing heavy-duty cleaning power, selecting the right pressure washer is essential. This guide will help you understand the key factors to consider before making your purchase.

1. Determine Your Cleaning Needs

Before choosing a pressure washer, assess what you’ll be using it for. Common applications include:

• Light-duty pressure washing: Patio furniture, bicycles, small decks, and cars.

• Medium-duty pressure washing: Small sections of concrete, brick, stone, etc.

• Heavy-duty pressure washing: Driveways, patios, siding, decks, fences, etc.

Knowing your needs will help determine the appropriate type of pressure washer for your tasks.

2. Choose Between Electric and Gas Pressure Washers

Pressure washers come in two main types: electric and gas-powered.

• Electric pressure washers are typically lightweight, quieter, and require less maintenance. They are ideal for small to medium tasks like cleaning cars, stairs, and furniture. Power typically ranges between 1,300–2,000 PSI and 1-2 GPM.

• Gas pressure washers provide more power, making them better suited for heavy-duty cleaning jobs like cleaning large driveways. They typically range from 2,000–4,000 PSI and 2-4 GPM but require more maintenance and emit exhaust fumes.

3. Understand PSI and GPM Ratings

Two key specifications define a pressure washer’s performance:

• PSI (Pounds per Square Inch): Measures the force of the water. Higher PSI means more power but also more ability to damage materials. PSI is less important than GPM.

• GPM (Gallons per Minute): Indicates water flow. A higher GPM helps rinse away debris faster. It will also determine what accessories you can use (e.g. higher GPM means your machine can run a larger surface cleaner).

For reference:

• Light-duty pressure washers: 1,300–2,000 PSI / 1.2–1.5 GPM

• Medium-duty pressure washers: 2,000–2,800 PSI / 2.0–3.0 GPM

• Heavy-duty pressure washers: 2,800+ PSI / 3.0+ GPM

4. Nozzle and Accessory Options

Different tasks require different pressure washer nozzles:

• 0° nozzle (red): A pinpoint, high-pressure stream with very limited applications. As a general rule, throw these away. They can destroy most materials and are even capable of etching (engraving) concrete, pavers, and some stone types.

• 15° nozzle (yellow): A narrow, intense fan spray for heavy-duty cleaning. Should not be used on siding.

• 25° nozzle (green): A wider spray for general cleaning. Should not be used on siding.

• 40° nozzle (white): A gentle spray for light cleaning. Should not be used on siding.

• Soap nozzle (Black): Used for applying chemicals before rinsing.

• Shooter nozzle (pink/blue): Used when spraying chemicals or water onto second story walls.

Surface Cleaners:

• These are large discs that attach to the end of your pressure washer gun, allowing you to evenly clean a wide swath of concrete.

• They can save a lot of time (e.g. if it takes you an hour to clean your patio using a yellow nozzle with a 2” spray, then an 18” surface cleaner would cut the cleaning time down to about 7 minutes as its cleaning path is 9x wider.

• You need to choose a high GPM pressure washer if you want to use a surface cleaner. As a general rule, the size of a surface cleaner should be 4 inches per GPM that your pressure washer can produce:

2 GPM = 8” surface cleaner

3 GPM = 12” surface cleaner

4 GPM = 16” surface cleaner  

Chemical applicators:

• X-jet: This system is a bit pricey at approx. $250, but is the perfect option for applying chlorine without damaging your pressure washer. It does not cycle harsh chemicals through your pressure washer, hose, or gun. It has its own hose, which pulls chemicals directly out of a storage jug. The nozzle is adjustable, and can quickly switch between a wide fan and a narrow beam that can be used on 2nd story siding.

• Built in detergent tanks: These can sometimes cycle cleaners through the pressure washers pump, damaging it, and are to be avoided. They may also be downstream injectors (described below) be certain of which yours is before using it.

• Downstream injectors: These use a small tube to suck up chemicals, which are sent through your high pressure hose and gun (shortening their lifespan considerably). They only draw chemicals when paired with a black soaper nozzle.  

Also, consider pressure washer hose length—longer hoses allow for greater reach without moving the machine constantly. We generally bring 100 feet of low pressure hose, and 150 feet of high pressure hose to a job unless we know that the property is particularly large.

5. Consider who Made the Components

A pressure washer has 2 main components, the motor and the pump. The companies that manufactured these components are more relevant that the overall make of the pressure washer.

For gas motors, Honda is widely considered to be the best and most durable option.

Triplex pumps are generally considered to be superior to axial pumps, but are heavier and more expensive.

Pumps made by AR and Comet are considered to be the best option available. AAA pumps are considered to be less robust, and no-name pumps are generally the worst option.

6. Set a Budget

Prices for pressure washers vary widely based on power, brand, and features:

• Entry-level electric pressure washers: $150–$500

• Mid-range gas pressure washers: $500-$1,000

• Professional-grade pressure washers: $1,500-$10,000

Determine how much you’re willing to spend while keeping in mind your specific needs.

7. Read Reviews and Compare Brands

Before making your final decision, read customer reviews and compare brands. Though the company selling the final product has just assembled components made by other entities, its still important to choose a trusted name that will honour their warrantee. Some options to consider in Canada are BE, Simpson, WetJet, and DeWalt. Reviews can provide insight into real-world performance, durability, and potential issues.

8. Consider Hiring a Professional Instead

While purchasing a pressure washer can be a great investment, it also comes with costs like maintenance, storage, and there is a learning curve before you can avoid damaging surfaces. Instead of dealing with the hassle, consider hiring Blue Wave Exterior Cleaning Inc. We are professionals, providing expert pressure washing services for homes and businesses, ensuring a deep and safe clean without the risk of damage, and upfront cost of buying your own equipment.

Why Choose Blue Wave Exterior Cleaning Inc.?

• Professional-grade results: We use high-powered equipment to remove dirt, mould, and grime effectively.

• Saves you time and effort: No need to learn techniques or spend hours cleaning.

• Prevents surface damage: We know just the right techniques for different materials.

• Cost-effective: No need to invest in expensive equipment or maintenance.

Final Thoughts

Selecting the right pressure washer depends on the tasks you need to complete, your budget, and your preference for power and portability. By understanding key specifications like PSI, GPM, and accessories, you’ll be better equipped to make an informed decision.

However, if you’d rather skip the investment and let experts handle it, Blue Wave Exterior Cleaning Inc. is here to help. Contact us today at (647) 212-6460 for affordable and professional pressure washing services!

Happy cleaning!