Tech5 things I wish I’d known before I bought a pressure washerI’ve owned a pressure washer for over half a decade now, and these are the lessons I’ve learnedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Tech5 things I wish I’d known before I bought a pressure washerI’ve owned a pressure washer for over half a decade now, and these are the lessons I’ve learnedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
I’ve owned a pressure washer for over half a decade now, and these are the lessons I’ve learned
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Karcher)
(Image credit: Karcher)
I’ve been reviewing thebest pressure washersat T3 now for over half a decade, and during that time I’ve learned plenty of lessons.
Pressure washers are fantastic outdoor cleaning tools and I frequently recommend them to T3 readers as well as my friends, family and colleagues.
However, if you are planning on buying a pressure washer, there are some things I wish someone had told me when I first started using one that I feel it is important to pass on.
As such, here are 5 key pieces of pressure washer info that I feel everyone should know.
(Image credit: Kärcher)
(Image credit: Kärcher)
1. Too much power is a schoolboy error
Ok, if there one thing you should learn straight away after buying a pressure washer is don’t use maximum power for all jobs. Just because your pressure washercanfire out water at a ridiculously high pressure doesn’t mean you should use it like that for every application.
Indeed, use a pressure washer such as theKarcher K4at maximum power while cleaning your car and you’ll strip the paint of that motor quicker than you can blink. Same is true when, say, cleaning a wooden fence or decking. Walk up to that surface and unleash the full power of your pressure washer and you’re going to be left with stripped, bare wood that will then rot easily.
Own a cycle or motorbike? Well, again, you absolutely don’t want to use full power on these as you’ll degrease chains, blow bearings out and strip paintwork and decals.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
The lesson? Turn that power down to a suitable level for all but the most demanding of jobs. You simply won’t need anywhere near full power to really clean most things well.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
2. If your power drops, check your hose
This is a small thing but caught me out badly when I originally experience it. I wanted to pressure wash my front drive and after bringing out my pressure washer and hooking everything up, I proceeded to turn the system on, selected the correct nozzle setting on my spray lance, slotted in a bottle of detergent and then pulled the trigger.
And, far from getting the powerful pressure washer spray that I wanted, I instead got a weak stream that was like using a normal hose pipe attachment. I immediately freaked out, believing the pressure washer’s motor had broken, as I couldn’t hear anything happening from the main unit. I then checked to make sure the power was indeed on, which it was, before doing a quick glance at the hose pipe, which looked fine too.
After 10 minutes of WTF?! I then finally realised that the pressure washer hose had, just under the lip of my upper patio, become kinked out of sight. This meant the pressure washer wasn’t receiving water in the quantity it needed to operate.
The lesson? Make sure you have eyes on your hose from tap to pressure washer, as kinks and coils will affect performance.
(Image credit: Canva)
(Image credit: Canva)
3. Using a pressure washer is a messy business
Here’s another top tip that was not obvious to me when I first started using a pressure washer – it’s a seriously messy business.
Sometimes you look at something and it just looks filthy, such as a mountain bike caked in mud after a month of extreme off-road usage.
But other things, such as decking and patios for example, can look relatively clean in the grand scheme of things. But, don’t be fooled!
The first time I cleaned my patio with a pressure washer I was dressed in shorts, T-shirt and boots, and while they weren’t my best clothes, they certainly weren’t tatty old clothes I held on to for painting and manual labour.
Within about 20 minutes of use I was covered in mud and detritus that had been blown up off the patio, as well as pretty wet, too from all the back spray. I had to put everything I was wearing in the wash, boots included, just to get them back to some form of usability.
If only someone had told me that using a pressure washer in any situation will result in lots of mess before I used it. Well, now I’ve told you, so you don’t have to make the same mistake.
I advise people to pressure wash in old clothes and, ideally, wearing wipeable water proof outer layer.
(Image credit: Muc Off)
(Image credit: Muc Off)
4. Add-in pressure washer detergents are fantastic
If, like me, you own multiple vehicles and have bought a pressure washer primarily to clean them then I heavily advise that you also invest in some detergent add-in bottles.
Top brands like Karcher make many different types of these detergents, ranging from ones specifically for vehicle cleaning through to patio washing, and they make the whole process quicker and better.
Can you achieve the same results just using water and then manually shampooing? Probably in a lot of cases, but while that’s quite easy when cleaning vehicles, when cleaning wood or stone not so much.
A bottle of universal cleaner costs under a tenner and will last you a good while, so speed up your pressure washing and get better results with just a little extra spend.
(Image credit: Karcher)
(Image credit: Karcher)
5. Kärcher is the maker of the best pressure washers
It’s not just the build quality or features either that make me think this, either, but the fact that the Kärcher range is really extensive and it, literally, has a pressure washer that is probably right for every user.
From the lightweight and compactKärcher K2, which is ideal if you just want a system to clean small vehicles and facias, through the really strong all-rounder that is theKärcher K4, and onto the powerhouse flagshipKärcher K7, there’s a great range on offer at a wide variety of price points.
Don’t get me wrong, pressure washers from other manufacturers such as Nilfisk are also quality (theNilfisk Core 140is defo worth a look), but I think you can’t go wrong in 2022 when shopping for a pressure washer if you shop Kärcher.
My number one piece of advice when buying a pressure washer
And, if you are looking to buy a pressure washer, my number one piece of advice is to pick up a pressure washer that will suit your needs, and not to buy a piece of equipment that is overkill for you or not up to the jobs you need it to tackle.
But, equally, don’t buy a cheap lightweight pressure washer if you need a system to tackle large patios, areas of decking, heavy masonry work and a large quantity of vehicles. You’ll just spend much longer than you should do on each job and get worse results.
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review: sensational sound, ordinary ANCBowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Bowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Try this 4-week core workout plan to build strength, stability, and definitionUnlock full-body power with this simple yet effective core routine – no endless crunches, just real results
Unlock full-body power with this simple yet effective core routine – no endless crunches, just real results
6 reasons to use a GoPro instead of a smartphone to record videosBreak through the limitations of your smartphone with cinema-ready results
Break through the limitations of your smartphone with cinema-ready results
5 weatherproof speakers for your garden: bring the music outsideBring your tunes to the yard this summer with an outdoor sound system
Bring your tunes to the yard this summer with an outdoor sound system
10 essentials you need to make your own outdoor cinema, from projectors to refreshmentsLeave nothing to chance and create the ultimate environment for a silver screen experience in your garden – or anywhere
Leave nothing to chance and create the ultimate environment for a silver screen experience in your garden – or anywhere
See your garden differently with these 3 cool smart camerasBecause pointing a security cam at your lawn is just too easy, here are some slightly more esoteric ways to look at birds, beasts, and encroaching weeds
Because pointing a security cam at your lawn is just too easy, here are some slightly more esoteric ways to look at birds, beasts, and encroaching weeds
5 hidden DJI features every drone pilot should know aboutA quintet of handy tips to get the most out of your DJI Mini
A quintet of handy tips to get the most out of your DJI Mini
I’m a drone expert and these are my 10 top flying tips for beginnersEverything you need to know to make flying your drone safer and therefore more enjoyable
Everything you need to know to make flying your drone safer and therefore more enjoyable
Insta360 X3 review: An all-round winner of a 360° action cameraThe best small 360° action cam on the market
The best small 360° action cam on the market
Ulanzi F38 Quick Release Travel Tripod: the travel photographers friendSuperlight and feature-packed, the Ulanzi F38 Quick Release Travel Tripod is perfect for mirrorless cameras
Superlight and feature-packed, the Ulanzi F38 Quick Release Travel Tripod is perfect for mirrorless cameras
