DIYbanter - Pressure Washer - how many PSI/what brand

On Tuesday, July 15, 1997 8:00:00 AM UTC+1, wrote:
In article , says...
Hi.

A friend and I are thinking of buying a pressure washer - for washing
houses before painting, cleaning decks, shingle roofs, driveways, that
sort of thing.

We've rented washers in the 2000-2500 PSI range that are more than
enough to peel loose paint (and sometimes not-so-loose paint). Does
anyone have experience with 1500 PSI washers? Are they enough to peel
loose paint, or should we stick to 2000+? How do 1500's stack up in
general, or can you recommend any brands at any rating?

When buying a pressure washer there are two equally important ratings:
PSI and GPM (gallons per minute). Multiply them together and you get a
"cleaning ratio". A pressure washer of 2000 PSI/1.5 GPM (3000 cleaning
units) is equivalent to a 1500 PSI/2 GPM (also 3000 cleaning units). The
GPM may actually be more important than the PSI since the water is
really what does the washing, not the pressure.

For a while I used a 1200 PSI/1.5 GPM (1800 cleaning units) to wash
houses before painting. It was pretty slow but efficient. It wouldn't
knock off much paint, and it was too slow for driveways, but it did the
basic job--and it was very inexpensive.

I later purchased a 2000 PSI/3 GPM (6000 cleaning units) and it seems to
be the right size for my work. You can wash a house relatively fast,
knock off the loose paint easily, and it is okay for the average
driveway. Also, the prices start to skyrocket once you go above this
level. However, if you are going to concentrate on concrete/driveway
cleaning I would go a step or two higher--10,000 to 12,000 cleaning
units.

--
Bruce
A.&B. Construction
Houston, TX

I would stick to the higher psi because they are more versatile. We clean driveways in Bromsgrove and we use 3000 psi. http://www.jetcleandrives.co.uk/Driv...ing-Bromsgrove