Power washers

[Ed62]

I'm toying with the idea of possibly buying a power washer (haven't really made up my mind yet). I'd like something that can be used to wash the vinyl siding on a 1 1/2 story Cape Cod home, wash the decks, and wash the car. The ability to spray a detergent mix would be a plus. Electric motor? Gas fueled? How big a unit would I need? Anything else to look for? Any particular models to recommend?

Ed

[cabinetman]

I just saw this ad in a Sears flier for a 2700 PSI washer that was a fairly good (on sale) price for a washer with that pressure. They also had a 2550 PSI item #75205 for $295.99.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

[lrogers]

I had an electric 1100 psi washer and it did the job, given enough time. I upgraded to a 2300 psi gas powered washer and it did the same job in less than 1/2 the time. Go bigger!

[mater]

Personally I would go with a gas unit and I would look at the GPM instead of the PSI.

[DUD]

I would 1st check Sam's and see if they still have one on closeout. My Brother just bought a Honda powered pressure washer with detergent holder, regular price $489.00 for $255.00. They still carry the same unit, it is just a different model number. Bill

[lago]

I bought the one with the B&S engine from BORG about 2 yrs ago and haven't had a problem. I debated between it and the one with the Honda engine. The Honda was a bit higher $$$ wise and a few more psi as I recall. The other differences Honda vs B&S. Honda had individual spray tips vs adjustable nozzle; bigger wheels (easier to pull on rough ground or up/down stairs; water hose on one side and spray hose on other side where B&S had hoses in front and could come close to muffler if you weren't watching. Both have a chemical intake but their spray stuff is expensive and needs to be diluted a bit. I have a 3 story house but it only reaches up to mid way on 2nd floor. The low pressure spray on mine MUST be used for the chemical injection and it does not spray very far.

Be careful on decks (and everything) with the high pressure. It will eat away the wood and also etch concrete if you get to close. I have an IPE deck and it left some indentations where I got too close.

Ken

[Ed62]

Thanks for the replies. Now I guess I'll look around a bit before buying, if I do.

Ed

[MilDoc]

If you're going to wash a house, go gas and, as mentioned look at GPM. For smaller jobs, like I have, I bought an electric. My Campbell-Hausfield wouldn't start this year (2 yrs old). Took it apart. Motor completely burned out. Bought a Karcher.

[lcm1947]

They people that did my siding recommented one with at least 26 psi. That's all I know. But he did state that was all you needed. Nothing less.

[Hellrazor]

Beware of high PSI pressure washers. You can damage concrete, blacktop, siding, wood, composites and rip the decals off your car. The biggest thing to remember is using a wand in full fan mode to spray things off. You rarely, if ever, will need to use a pinpoint spray.

[sweensdv]

Whatever unit you buy, make sure that you read and follow the manual. For instance, until I read the manual that came with my Karcher unit I didn't know that, "We strongly recommend that this high pressure washer not be left running for periods of 5 minutes or longer without the trigger gun being engaged". Instead of just letting the unit run until it's out of gas when getting it ready for winter storage I'll now have to siphon out the gas.

[tedkitch]

I recently picked up a Craftsman 580.752340 on sale in the store. Evidently they discontinued the model as I can't find it on the web site anymore. It looks exactly like the 80th anniversary model, but has a smaller engine. I picked it up for $205 (on sale) and it has been great. 4.5 HP, 2200 PSI and 1.9 GPM with a Briggs and Stratton engine. When I looked at it it had about 30 reviews and a 4.5 average score. The 80th anniversary model has many of the same comments.

Let me know if you have any questions about it,

[Ed62]

Yeah, it's a good idea to read the manual. I used to be one of the guys who didn't need a manual for anything. Then I found out they actually knew more about the products than I did.

When power washers were in their infancy, I rented one. Then I proceeded to put some nasty grooves in our siding. Lesson learned.

That Craftsman 580.752340 sounds like something I could consider if I could find it.

Again, thanks for the replies.

Ed

[Tom Slick]

Whatever unit you buy, make sure that you read and follow the manual. For instance, until I read the manual that came with my Karcher unit I didn't know that, "We strongly recommend that this high pressure washer not be left running for periods of 5 minutes or longer without the trigger gun being engaged". Instead of just letting the unit run until it's out of gas when getting it ready for winter storage I'll now have to siphon out the gas.

you will burn out the pump by letting it run without water flow. the pump constantly pumps even when you aren't spraying, so when the trigger is closed it recirculates the water through the pump. the pump gets hot because it doesn't have cool water coming into it.
you should also flush the system out really well after using any chemicals in the pressure washer. some cleaners are very caustic and will eat the internal seals if not flushed out.

[tedkitch]

One nice thing about the Craftsman that I have is that after about 4 minutes of not using the trigger it will discharge the hot water to the ground. You wouldn't think that it would get that hot, but it does.

You are so right about flushing it out. I flush mine after using anything other than water.