NWFA power washing gurus

[thorborg]

I appreciate the replies, hard to choose things when I lack the experience or familiarity with them. Only once, 20 years or so ago have I briefly used a power washer, it was a large gas one loaned to me but without any advice. Unaware of its potential power, I started right in the middle and way too close to a moss covered concrete pavement and proceeded to cut a one inch wide grove a foot long in the concrete before I stopped it!! Wow, who da thought. Well, you may have, but I didn't. After calling the guy, then he tells me of the different nozzles hanging on the frame in a little bag, and how to proceed.

 

[deadeye]

You may want to pony up and get a unit that will last. Like others have said the pressure is not all you want the volume of water is what counts. I worked doing pressure washing back in my early years and built/rebuilt units as well. You may want to try some chemical to help release the pollen also. we sold/used ""Power Plus" on alot of stuff which is good for cleaning anything even engine bays. works to release moss and such off sidewalks which cuts down on the time it takes. It can be diluted quite a bit for most jobs and is safe to even clean a cooktop its USDA approved for food processing plants.

Cleaning Equipment for Home & Industrial Applications - Kärcher

Kärcher is a world market leader in cleaning technology and manufacturer of Hot and Cold Pressure Washers, Vacuums, Floor Scrubbers and many other products.

www.kaercher.com

Power Line Chemical ASW-1 1 Gallon Power Plus Cleaner

The Power Plus ASW-1 is a powerful degreasing formula that can remove the most stubborn types of soil and grease. It is biodegradeable, non-toxic, and VOC compliant.

www.toolup.com

 

[Alexx1401]

I like the compactness and every thing storing neatly on the machine. plus nearly 60 bucks cheaper to boot.

After watching the video I think its going to be on my short list of things to buy here.

 

[Nosferatu]

One thing to consider too, how far away from electricity do you need to wash? These units generally almost max out an outlet's capacity and adding extension cords compound the issue.

This is what gas generators are for, which everyone has, right? RIGHT?

Does anyone know if these electric and gas pressure washers will draw from a tank?

This is the main reason I have the Dewalt 20v model - because it will draw from a bucket or tank when I'm off-grid and need to hose down my equipment. There is no water, well or service, on the property so I have to bring it all in.

 

[kmk1012]

This is what gas generators are for, which everyone has, right? RIGHT?

Does anyone know if these electric and gas pressure washers will draw from a tank?

This is the main reason I have the Dewalt 20v model - because it will draw from a bucket or tank when I'm off-grid and need to hose down my equipment. There is no water, well or service, on the property so I have to bring it all in.

Depends on the output flow and input pressure. Water will gain .433 PSI for every foot above the output of the pump. So, if you have a tank ten foot above the exit of the washer you will have 4.3 PSI to push the water in. If the hose or pipe is sufficient in diameter to support the flow, no problems at all. That being said, I've used a 35 gal tank in the bed of a truck and had to put it up on a barrel in the bed to get better effluent pressure. Worked great then but I was using a large pressure washer. I'd say 99% of pressure washers would not have that issue as most won't spend that kind of money on a quality price of equipment. Everyone wants to get good enough performance at a cheap price.

 

[Nosferatu]

Depends on the output flow and input pressure. Water will gain .433 PSI for every foot above the output of the pump. So, if you have a tank ten foot above the exit of the washer you will have 4.3 PSI to push the water in. If the hose or pipe is sufficient in diameter to support the flow, no problems at all. That being said, I've used a 35 gal tank in the bed of a truck and had to put it up on a barrel in the bed to get better effluent pressure. Worked great then but I was using a large pressure washer. I'd say 99% of pressure washers would not have that issue as most won't spend that kind of money on a quality price of equipment. Everyone wants to get good enough performance at a cheap price.

I've thought about building an elevated platform to put an IBC tote on. My tractor will lift 2900lbs 8', which gets me just under 3.5psi.

It would probably be easier just to setup a 120v pump that will plug into a generator or power station.

 

[kmk1012]

I've thought about building an elevated platform to put an IBC tote on. My tractor will lift 2900lbs 8', which gets me just under 3.5psi.

It would probably be easier just to setup a 120v pump that will plug into a generator or power station.

Depending on the dimensions of the tank the initial PSI could be higher, it's the level of the water that determines the pressure. 2900 lbs of water is a lot (8.34lbs/gallon is almost 350 gallons). It could be topped off when the pump starts to outrun the supply.

 

[Nosferatu]

Depending on the dimensions of the tank the initial PSI could be higher, it's the level of the water that determines the pressure. 2900 lbs of water is a lot (8.34lbs/gallon is almost 350 gallons). It could be topped off when the pump starts to outrun the supply.

Most IBC totes are 275 gallons. There are some that are 330, but I'm not into maxing out my hydraulics, especially lifting that high. Both mine are the 275s.

 

[kmk1012]

Most IBC totes are 275 gallons. There are some that are 330, but I'm not into maxing out my hydraulics, especially lifting that high. Both mine are the 275s.

Got it, just going with the numbers previously provided. Realistically though, how many times are we needing a tractor to haul a tank for pressure washing, anywhere? Gotta be relatively low. The OP sounds like they live in the city and just needs something to blast the moss away. If someone has some property like me, they should have both styles, not battery ones but viable units that will last long enough. But, if they do not and only have little jobs, just pick what you want. I keep hearing how much gas units are maintenance heavy but strongly disagree because that's what I've used my whole life up until I needed one for my house and not just out at my shop. Run the correct fuel, change oil once in a while and they will outlast you, unless you don't know how to use them and let the engine run without water flow through the pump, that seems rather common with most individuals without much mechanical knowledge.

 

[Nosferatu]

Got it, just going with the numbers previously provided. Realistically though, how many times are we needing a tractor to haul a tank for pressure washing, anywhere? Gotta be relatively low. The OP sounds like they live in the city and just needs something to blast the moss away. If someone has some property like me, they should have both styles, not battery ones but viable units that will last long enough. But, if they do not and only have little jobs, just pick what you want. I keep hearing how much gas units are maintenance heavy but strongly disagree because that's what I've used my whole life up until I needed one for my house and not just out at my shop. Run the correct fuel, change oil once in a while and they will outlast you, unless you don't know how to use them and let the engine run without water flow through the pump, that seems rather common with most individuals without much mechanical knowledge.

Yeah, I get it. I was just wondering if most of these would draw from a ground-level tank without any pressure.

For me, moving the tank with the tractor will be a regular occurrence since it's the only way to get water to my property. For city folk, not even close to a consideration.

 

[kmk1012]

Yeah, I get it. I was just wondering if most of these would draw from a ground-level tank without any pressure.

For me, moving the tank with the tractor will be a regular occurrence since it's the only way to get water to my property. For city folk, not even close to a consideration.

One can only try for actual results. Now I'm curious and may use my tractor that has the bucket on it and see if my larger gas unit will outrun the water supply at full lift. I'm probably not curious enough to try it in the rain though, actually pretty certain about that so it'll have to wait a bit. At work though, we have used the backhoe that has a lot higher of lift and has worked flawlessly.

 

[orygun]

Does anyone know if these electric and gas pressure washers will draw from a tank?

I doubt it.

It would probably be easier just to setup a 120v pump that will plug into a generator or power station.

This would be an easier solution to having an elevated tank. Especially if using a generator to power the washer.

 

[Provincial]

I have used a Harbor Freight 12V pump (with garden hose fittings) to run a spray nozzle on a garden hose from a tote in the back of a pickup. This was to wet down dirt when compacting a fill. I can see this as a viable booster pump to feed a pressure washer that doesn't have enough suction on the inlet.

The size of the inlet hose is important if there is no pressure on the inlet. If there is no (or little) pressure you should use at least a 3/4" inside diameter hose. The longer the hose, the bigger the inside diameter should be, because there is friction from the water moving through the hose, and that friction is reduced dramatically as the hose diameter increases.

When using head pressure, the old-timers were very smart. They would start out with a very large inside diameter pipe at the source, and reduce the diameter as they got closer to the use point. This concentrated the static pressure on a smaller cross-section, resulting in a higher effective pressure. Think of your common hose nozzle. It is tapered, with the pressure applied at the connection being concentrated on a smaller orifice. Without the nozzle, the water shoots out a little, but with the nozzle, it sprays a long way.

 

[Alexx1401]

I have both a Harbor Freight electric jobber and a newer Stihl commercial gas unit. The job size determines which one comes out. I'm not a city dweller so battery ain't an option for me. If you go electric, at least from HF, get the warranty no matter how much it costs extra, I needed it more than once. One thing to consider too, how far away from electricity do you need to wash? These units generally almost max out an outlet's capacity and adding extension cords compound the issue. I found out this the hard way and now have two gassers because im lazy and don't want to move it from the shop to the house. My old gasser is a Lowes Honda powered unit about 25 years old, just keep regular pump gas out of it if you want it to last.

Not sure which one of the electrics you were looking at. The one I was looking at and will probably end up buying uses 13 amps. My outside plugs are "supposed" to be rated for 20. If it did flip a breaker I would just fire up one of the Gensets to run it. Would give me an excuse to run them anyway which I often forget to do for longer than I should since we seem to never need them.

 

[kmk1012]

Not sure which one of the electrics you were looking at. The one I was looking at and will probably end up buying uses 13 amps. My outside plugs are "supposed" to be rated for 20. If it did flip a breaker I would just fire up one of the Gensets to run it. Would give me an excuse to run them anyway which I often forget to do for longer than I should since we seem to never need them.

My electric one is a Harbor Freight, not the best quality but it does occasionally trip my GFI outlet. I even replaced the outlet thinking it was faulty but same results with the new one. I had to exchange one of the pressure washers due to a broken connector and even the new one does it.

 

[Alexx1401]

My electric one is a Harbor Freight, not the best quality but it does occasionally trip my GFI outlet. I even replaced the outlet thinking it was faulty but same results with the new one. I had to exchange one of the pressure washers due to a broken connector and even the new one does it.

Well that would suck rocks. If the one I get does the same I will just run it off one of the gen's then. I keep telling myself I should start the large one a few times a year and of course almost always forget.
This would get me to at least run them a bit. Run one, then the other when I use the thing.

 

[edzz]

My electric one is a Harbor Freight, not the best quality but it does occasionally trip my GFI outlet. I even replaced the outlet thinking it was faulty but same results with the new one. I had to exchange one of the pressure washers due to a broken connector and even the new one does it.

GFI outlet's. Now required in the garage. Seem like a good idea till the one the freezer is plugged into trips and you don't know it. I find it interesting that my kitchen refrigerator is not required to be on a GFI but the garage freezer is supposed to have one.

 

[Alexx1401]

GFI outlet's. Now required in the garage. Seem like a good idea till the one the freezer is plugged into trips and you don't know it. I find it interesting that my kitchen refrigerator is not required to be on a GFI but the garage freezer is supposed to have one.

Another brought to you by those who know better rules.
I know what I would do if it was my house.

 

[Nosferatu]

Another brought to you by those who know better rules.
I know what I would do if it was my house.

The problem isn't GFCI outlets, it's cheap GFCI outlets.

Hubbell, P&S and higher-end Leviton are solid.

Stay away from the low-end Leviton and generic off brand big-box store junk.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I'm looking for power washer advice. I want to buy an electric PW. For several reason: I'm not so fit as to be able to produce the energy to physically scrub things any more, The water bill in Beaverton is enormous so a power washer would use less volume than a regular hose., I have a neighbor with a gigantic Sycamore tree that extends over forty feet onto my property and produces 7 million tons of pollen that if not removed nearly immediately, will stick like JB weld to everything it lands on (and its everywhere) especially irritatingly on the vehicles and trailer. No nozzle on a regular hose I've found will remove it from the little cracks and edges around seems, windows and canopy creases. Not to mention BBQ and other things,.

So, While I don't need to blow the doors off the truck or carve my name in the concrete, I thought something around 15 to 2k psi would be enough, which seems in line with electrical PW's
I saw a Dewalt that used a 20 volt battery I have, looked pretty simple but it was 500 PSI which didn't seem enough though I don't know what pressure I need for things. I don't want blow the paint off the car or if 500 PSI is enough to get the dried on pollen crud.

Also, I need it to be reasonably light and preferable with wheels, I don't bend over well but I read comments on some taller ones were "tippy"
I have nearly no experience with Power washers, for something little used by an old guy, If you Please, opine on what you suggest or this:
View attachment 1981149
Supposedly 1600PSI 1.2gpm looks like a small compact easy to store package.

Or recommend another:

Thank you kindly.

Give it a try. What you don't want is some piece of sh!t that'll barely blow a leaf around.
What I'd do is rent an electric from Home Depot and then make an educated extrapolation of what psi and gpm is required. You don't want underpowered.. you can always easily throttle down a beast if necessary.
Oh and they sell their used rental equipment too.