Pressure washers use water to clean at a high speed and can be very effective. Because of this people think that they are wasting a lot of water when in fact they are using less than conventional washing methods.
In this article, we are going to take a look into just how efficient using a pressure washer is.
A standard pressure washer uses approximately 2 GPM (gallons per minute) on continuous usage. This amount is dependant on a number of factors such as the area being cleaned, the pressure being used, and the spray diameter to name a few.
One of the factors regarding how much water a washer uses is the actual pressure in which your appliance uses, the more pressure, the less water used.
A typical pressure washer uses 1400 – 2300 psi and with this setting, you would be looking at between 1.6 – 2 GPM.
Related Reading: Can You Run a Pressure Washer Off a Well?
How much water does a 2000 psi pressure washer use?
If we take into account that a 1400 psi pressure washer uses 2 GPM and a 2300 psi pressure washer uses 1.6 GSM through simple math we can assume that a 2000 psi washer uses approximately 1.7 GSM dependent on factors outlined earlier.
Other factors to bear in mind is the age of your equipment, how much detergent you have mixed in with your water, and how well serviced your machine is.
How fast does water come out of a pressure washer?
Pressure washers by their very nature need to operate at very fast levels, these levels at consumer levels are recorded as high as 390 Km/hr (290 mph).
Hence why using a pressure washer can be extremely dangerous and should never be operated on by a minor or somebody who doesn’t know how to operate one in a careful manner.
Before operating any washer you should always consult the operator handbook supplied with your particular washer.
Is a pressure washer more efficient than using a hose?
When washing a motor vehicle, a garden hose is often preferred over using a bucket and sponge in order to avoid potential damage.
In fact, while washing can be a great way to clean concrete, it has enough power to potentially damage surfaces like concrete.
But when using the common garden hose (⅝”) you will use 17 gallons per minute (GSM) this is 8 times more than a 1400 psi pressure washer making using a pressure washer a lot more efficient than using a garden hose.
And when you have longer jobs ahead of you like washing a wood deck then saving as much water as you can is a no-brainer.
There is a ½” hose that can be used, this uses 9 GSM but because of the size it would take you a lot longer and you would still be less efficient, 3 times less to be precise.
Will my water pressure affect the pressure of the pressure washer?
If you have standard water pressure, between 25 and 35 PSI, coming from your tap then you need not worry about having the correct pressure to use a washer.
The pressure washer itself creates its own pressure and simply just needs the water to get to it in the first place.
As mentioned earlier a standard washer uses around 2 GSM, so providing your house water can supply more than 2 gallons per minute you should be absolutely fine.
One thing to take into account when running water to your pressure washer is how long the hose is, the longer the hose the less pressure the water comes out at the end.
For example, a 150-meter hose has less pressure at the end than a 75-meter hose.
If you don’t have access to a water spigot then you can use a water butt or bucket, providing your particular model has the attachments.
Some models have a pump incorporated into the machine that will suck the water out of the vessel and into the machine, providing you have enough water in the bucket you should be able to use your pressure washer un-interrupted.
If you find that water pressure is just too low and you are not getting water to your washer then you can get a water booster fitted to your home, increasing your water pressure.
What to do if there is no water coming out of your pressure washer
Firstly you should make sure that you have turned the water on at the source, running a washer without water can damage it in the long run.
After checking this you should then check your hose, making sure there are no kinks or splits in it. We suggest disconnecting the hose from the machine and running the water to make sure there is no blockage inside the pipe.
Next, check the inlet on the pressure washer making sure that there is no debris blocking the hole.
Finally, check the washer hose and gun, making sure there is no damage, kinks, or splits. Pay particular attention to the hole at the very end where the water is sprayed from.
Whilst performing these checks you should have the washer turned off and disconnected from the power, you should never look down the end of the pressure hose whilst the washer is turned on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does PSI mean?
The abbreviation PSI stands for pounds per square inch and is a measurement used to determine the pressure of something, in this case, water.
The higher the PSI the harder the water will be ejected from the pressure washer.
What should I mix with the water that I put into my pressure washer?
This depends on what you are planning to clean, there are numerous detergents that you can use.
For example, you can get a detergent that is suitable for washing cars, it has properties in it to help with oxidization and shine, or you could get a mildew remover that is ideal for washing static homes down or houses.
You will be given guidance on the percentage of detergent to add to water on the packaging.
Conclusion
Pressure washers are a fantastic way of getting things clean in a fast and efficient manner.
The amount of water a washer uses will depend on the model of pressure washer you have, the actual pressure used and the job at hand.
With most pressure washers using 1400-2300 psi one can expect to use around
A typical washer uses 1400 – 2300 psi and with this setting, you would be looking at around 1.6 – 2 GPM.
Often seen as a luxury more than a necessity you can see that by using a pressure washer you are actually saving yourself some money and helping the environment at the same time.