Pressure Washer

[ssmith1627]

Hey guys, what's a decent pressure washer to look for ? What type of pressure? 2500 PSI ?

I don't think the electric ones would be powerful enough to really be useful -- kinda like the electric blowers.

I'd like to stay in the $200-300 range........not those higher end professional type that run several hundred.

Steve

[newbie2wood]

Get a gas power washer. 2500 psi would be the minimum for effective cleaning. Closer to 3000 psi would be better. Brand name for the washer is not important. Look at the engine. Honda engine is one of the best.
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SexyBarbie live

[sbs]

I have a small cheap (<$100) electric pressure washer that I have used for several years for the house and car and the only time I've ever wished for a bigger one is when cleaning the driveway.

[Ken Weaver]

What newbie said - got mine on sale at the BORG, generic type brand but does everything well, think it was right at $200 or $195 something. 2500 PSI.

[WoodTherapist]

The latest issue of Money magazine has a review of electric pressure washers. In their review they found a wide variation in performance between the models with one model from Cambell Hausfield rating very well, probably equivalent to low-end gas models. I have had both gas and electric. For anything but the biggest jobs, I prefer the electric for convenience and because it's one less #%^&$ gasoline engine to maintain. So I got rid of the gas model and now I use the electric for most everything and rent a gas monster when occassionally doing driveways, whole-house siding, etc.

[mrojec]

I have a Karcher 395 (electric) that I'm not too happy with. The wand trigger mechanism has a split washer in it that breaks if hot water is run through it causing the thing to flow freely. The wand has to be dissassembled to replace it and...guess what? You can't just by the 2c washer. You have to replace the whole plunger. It's only $4 but what a PITA!! Yes, I only run cold water through it, but if the hose sits in the sun at all it can heat up pretty fast.

[jhart]

Bought a 2500 PSI (Excel brand with a Briggs and Stranton motor) from HD a couple of years ago. Has worked super for everything I've used it for.

Keep an eye out for their selling off demo/serviced models, the one I picked up was reconditioned at the service center, had a minor problem (repair tag was still on machine) and paid only $225.00. I think the brand new ones were going for about $349. The one I bought couldn't tell from being new. Doubt if was ever used.

Only thing I don't like about it is the way a bottle of solution hooks up, as there is no control over the flow of it, and it just sits on the ground with a small hose running to the unit. Would be better if someway to attach the bottle to the unit, or pour solution into some type of holder like the gas line tank. All in all, very happy with the unit. Plenty of power at 2500 psi

[thestinker]

I have the electric husk from HD. Works great for what I need. I ckean the house, cars, dog kennel and even the driveway / sidewalks. My pop in law had one of the 2500 psi ones and always wanted to use mine becasue his would take paint off stuff.