How they work of pressure washers

From washing the driveway or prepping for a painting job, High pressure washers give you the power you need to blast away dirt and grime. We've engineered every Generac pressure washer from the ground up, using input from our customers, to ensure that they provide the cleaning power for virtually any cleaning task around the house.

Pressure washers are so much fun to use—and show such dramatic and quick results—that you'll be begging to clean your neighbors' siding, driveways and cars once you've finished your own. You can rent or buy a pressure washer to clean nearly any outdoor item. By following the tips in this article, you'll learn how to use pressure washers safely and efficiently.

Pressure washers, whether they're powered by electric motors or gas engines, run a pump that pressurizes the water from your garden hose to 1,000 lbs. or more, then forces it out through a spray wand. The higher the pressure (measured in pounds per square inch—psi), the tougher the cleaning jobs they can tackle. Both types require a steady, uninterrupted supply of water (in gallons per minute—gpm). For occasional use, most homeowners will find that a washer with a pressure range of 1,300 to 2,400 psi works best.

Electric pressure washers deliver 1,300 to 1,400 psi, require about 1-1/2 gpm and are the best choice for light-duty cleaning like washing cars (Photo 3), outdoor grills and garage floors (Photo 4). They generally cost less and are quieter, lighter in weight and more portable than gas-powered washers. Many have built-in tanks for optional detergent use. Always connect electric washers to power outlets that are protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) and use only 12- or 14-gauge extension cords.

Most High pressure washers that you'll find for rent or sale are gas-powered. This type can deliver higher water pressure than the electric kind, some more than 3,000 psi. But gas-powered washers also require more water: 2 to 3 gpm. These washers are the best choice for bigger jobs like preparing siding for painting (Photo 2), removing “aging” stains from wood decks (Photo 5) and deep-cleaning concrete. You can rent one at tool rental stores, along with accessories like chemical injectors (Photo 1) or longer spray wands for reaching high places. Gas-powered washers (non-commercial units) cost $300 to $800 depending on the pressure they deliver, their features and the engine and pump quality.

High Pressure Washer MK-5237T