FAQ'S OF PRESSURE WASHING

FAQ’S OF PRESSURE WASHING

What is pressure washing?

Pressure washing is the application of high pressure water to remove tough dirt, grease, and grime. A Pump, along with a spray tip creates a restriction that generates a pressure in some cases powerful enough to cut through concrete. Pressure washing is a valuable means of cleaning surfaces at incredible speeds and coupled with the right accessory such as a flat surface cleaner or rotary nozzle can make your experience much faster with a lot less effort.

What’s more important, water volume (GPM) or pressure (PSI)?

Both GPM and PSI are very important for the optimum performance for a pressure washer. The pressure lifts the dirt and the water volume carries it away. The more GPM the faster it carries the water away.

What should I do with my machine in the winter?

If you live in a climate where it is below freezing you will want to run an antifreeze mixture through your system before you store it away at night. The ideal condition is to store your machine in a climate controlled building but not all of us can do that. The mixture should be 50/50 antifreeze and water.

Should I remove the fuel from the tank when storing my pressure washer?

It is always best to remove the fuel for storage. If you do not plan on storing your pressure washer for longer than a month you can add a fuel stabilizer mixture. You should never store gas inside your garage or home.

How much high pressure hose can I use?

The recommended length is anywhere from 50’ to 100’ however you can use more. If you choose to use over 100’ you may notice some drop in pressure.

What do the different color nozzles mean?

0° Spray Tip – RED - This tip is not recommended for wood applications, its stream of water is to narrow and concentrated. This tip would be ideal for concrete, and metal.
15° Spray Tip – YELLOW - This tip is a heavy duty cleaning or stripping tip. You can use this tip for cleaning concrete, loose paint, and driveways.
25° Spray Tip – GREEN - This tip is for general washing purposes. You will find your self using this tip for your deck, siding, and your car.
40° Spray Tip – WHITE - This tip has the least amount of impact. The white tip is great for rinsing, cleaning out your gutters, and other sensitive jobs.

How often should I replace my nozzles?

This depends on how much time you use your machine. A good rule of thumb is if you notice a gradual lose in pressure you should replace that tip. Not all tips will wear out in the same amount of time.

How do I clean a clogged nozzle?

Remove the nozzle from the end of your wand, using a small piece of wire like a paper clip clear the clog. Flush water through the nozzle and replace it on your pressure washer. If it is still partially clogged try again.

What type of oil do I use in my pump?

You want to use Non-detergent oil. You should always refer to your owner’s manual to understand what type Non-detergent oil and the weight the manufacture recommends.

I have a hot water supply, can I run this through my pump?

No, incoming hot water can damage the seals in your pump. If your pump exceeds 145 degrees the thermal relief valve will pop to protect your pump and it will need to be replaced.

What does by-pass mean?

This allows the pump to circulate water so there is no pressure and heat build up inside the pump when the trigger of the gun is not squeezed, however if you leave your machine in the by-pass mode for longer than two minutes you may risk overheating your pump. The best rule of thumb is if you are not using your pressure washer turn it off you will not only save your pump, you will also save on costly fuel.

What is a thermal relief valve?

The thermal relief valve is a safety device for your pump. It will keep the pump from burning up if left in the by-pass mode for too long. This device is set to the maximum pump temperature rating usually 145 degrees. If the valve pops you will need to replace it but remember you just saved your pumps life.

Why doesn’t my chemical injector work?

First check the chemical injector to see if you are using the chemical tip that comes with the machine, in most cases this will be your black tip. If you are using the right tip you may be using to much hose. If you are using over 100’ use a shorter piece of hose and this should correct the problem.

If you have any questions and to see the latest in equipment http://www.mypressurewashers.com/

PRESSURE WASHING A DRIVEWAY

PRESSURE WASHING A DRIVEWAY

Dirt, oils and tire marks are all enemies of your driveway. As you drive you will collect all sorts of unmentionable road debris, depositing it onto your driveway. Your kids may play there and you will certainly track this dirt right into your home. Instead of spending hours with a broom and hose try a commercial quality pressure washer. Our 13HP Honda pressure washer could easily save you hours of unnecessary scrubbing and your back. Using chemicals can also reduce the amount of time you spend caring for your driveway.Concrete driveways will require the most PSI with a recommended minimum off 2500 PSI. Your water volume GPM is also an important factor; this is what carries the loose dirt away. Keep in mind a larger machine with more PSI and GPM will significantly shorten your cleaning time. Asphalt and other driveway surfaces may require less pressure than concrete. You may want to test your power in an inconspicuous area prior to pressure washing your driveway.

Start by removing cars, bicycles, and anything else that may get in your way. You can pretreat oil stained areas with a good degreaser, being sure to follow all directions. The most effective spray tip will be your 15° tip giving you powerful concentration. Connect your machine to the appropriate water source and then turn your machine on. Start pressure washing at the highest point of your drive way, which will usually be next to your house or garage, this will allow dirty water to flow away from your house. Using overlapping strokes continue down your driveway until you have removed all of the dirt build up. Certain areas may require more time than others depending on the amount of dirt buildup. Give your driveway a final rinse and allow to dry 24-48 hours before applying any sealers or paint.

You may want to consider using a Flat Surface Cleaner which will save you and your back anenormous amount of time and will do away with the zebra striping effect you get when you usea wand. To see latest in equipment and get advice visit www.mypressurewashers.com

THE DO'S AND DON'TS OF PRESSURE WASHING

THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF PRESSURE WASHING

PRESSURE WASHER DO’S

Test your pressure washer on a small section of the object to be cleaned and make sure that the pressure is adjusted correctly. Make sure you are using the right tip for the job, and the spray will not cause any damage to the surface you are about to clean.

Check your engine and pump oil levels on a regular basis and before starting your machine. Read the owner’s manual for the correct type of oil for both the motor and the pump.

Store your pressure washer in a well ventilated area. If the area is unheated, winterize your pressure washer to avoid damage caused by cold weather.

Keep your body parts and other people’s clear of any high pressure stream. Pressure washers are extremely powerful machines and need to be operated in a safe manner.

Pay strict attention to the distance the spray tip is away from the surface. If the tip is too close to the object you can cause damage to the surface.

Wear protective safety gear such as goggles or gloves for the job you are performing.
Use pressure washing accessories to make pressure washing jobs go easier.

Clean your chemical injector by running fresh water through it after every use.

PRESSURE WASHER DON’TS

Don't leave the pressure washer running while unattended you can cause damage to the pump.

Don’t add fuel or oil while the machine is running.

Don’t lend your pressure washer to anyone who is not familiar with its proper usage.

Don’t run your pressure washer for longer than one minute without pulling the trigger.

Don’t point the wand at anyone, even if the machine is turned off there may be trapped pressure in the hose.

Don’t pressure wash windows you can break the glass or ruin the weather seals.

Don’t use caustic based products or bleach with your chemical injector it can damage it beyond repair.

Don’t use hot water with your cold water pressure washer it can cause severe pump damage.

Don't spray towards any part of your body or towards another person.

How to select a pressure washer

HOW TO SELECT A PRESSURE WASHER

While a garden hose and some detergent and elbow grease will get the job done, there is nothing like a pressure washer to take the pressure out of all sorts of chores: preparing patio furniture for storage, degreasing the grill or cleaning oil stains from the garage floor.
There are three things to consider when buying a pressure washer, water pressure, gallons per minute and price.

Water pressure, expressed in pounds per square inch, can range from about 1,500 p.s.i. to 4,000 or more for commercial washers.

Gallons per minute is the volume of water a machine produces at a given pressure. For household and commercial units, the gallons per minute ranges from one to four.
As for price, pressure washers range from less than $100 for electric units to $1,000 and more for large gasoline-powered washers.

When choosing between electric and gas, consider how you want to use the machine. You can get decent performance from an electric washer, but they’re not very convenient because you have to run a cord to it. That’s fine for washing the car, but it gets old really quickly if you’re going to be scooting around the house.

Consumers often believe that “bigger is better” when buying a pressure washer. That is not the case, because there is an optimum pressure and flow for each job.
For example, someone who wants a pressure washer primarily to clean a car should buy a machine that has relatively low pressure 1,000 to 1,500 p.s.i.

On the other hand, someone who wants to pressure-wash siding, strip paint or clean a patio or sidewalk should choose a unit with higher pressure 3000 - 4000 p.s.i.
Some pressure washers allow the user to vary the pressure, most homeowners will be satisfied with a fixed-pressure unit of 1,500 p.s.i. to 2,800 p.s.i. while commercial users like the higher p.s.i. of 3,000 to4,000 and up.

The detergent used will make a difference in how the machine performs, too. Pressure washers work best when combined with chemical cleaners. There are different cleaners available for different jobs, and there is a lot of price competitiveness. But if you buy the least expensive cleaner, it’s going to perform like the least expensive cleaner.

Anyone who uses a pressure washer should remember that it’s an aggressive machine. “With a high-pressure washer, you can carve your name in a wood deck or even break a window.”
Used carelessly, pressure washers can also inflict injury. These machines are extremely powerful, never point a pressure washer at yourself or anyone else.

Since most washers come with an assortment of tips that deliver different spray patterns, users should pick the least aggressive tip that will get the job done.
We suggest using the 40-degree nozzle first, referring to the tip with the broadest spray pattern. Test a small portion of the surface first.

All kinds of attachments are also available, brushes, rotary nozzles, and gutter cleaning attachments to name a few, and a flat surface cleaner ($169.00 and up) is good for cleaning large areas like decks, sidewalks or patios.

Storing the pressure washer properly is extremely important and if done correctly will give years of care free service. For a look at the latest equipment visit http://www.mypressurewashers.com/