High pressure cleaners are powerful water blasters that can deliver a high amount of water per second. They’re commonly used for cleaning up after an emergency, but they have some unique properties that make them ideal for many other purposes as well. Many driveways in dire need of cleaning can really benefit with high pressure cleaning. In this article we’ll discuss what makes high pressure cleaning different from regular hoses and why they might be better suited to some jobs than others. Here are 7 essential things you need to know about high pressure cleaning.
PSI and GPM
These two units of measurements are very important when deciding on high pressure cleaning. PSI stands for Pounds Per Square Inch. This measures the force a high pressure cleaner gives. The higher the PSI the more force it has to remove dirt and stains off your driveway. However, you need to be careful since using a PSI that is too high can easily damage many surfaces.
GPM refers to Gallons Per Minute. This determines how fast the flow of water is on your high pressure cleaner. The higher the GPM, the faster the cleaning and rinsing of dirt since there is more water being released in a shorter span of time.
You’ll need to balance the right amount of PSI and GPM in order to be efficient with high pressure cleaning. You’ll need the right amount of pressure just enough to clean, and the right amount of water flow to efficiently rinse and clean dirt without consuming too much water.
Types of Pressure Washers
Electric Pressure Washers
These types of pressure washers are light-duty, convenient washers and tend to be the cheaper choice. These are smaller and more portable compared to gas pressure washers but they can still do the job. It’s perfect for residential jobs such as removing dirt and stains from concrete and can also be conveniently used indoors for specific jobs.
Gas Pressure Washers
Gas washers are stronger than electric washers often having up to 3,000 PSI. If deep cleaning is what you need, gas pressure washers are the right one for the job. Just be wary though since this type of high pressure cleaner emits harmful exhaust fumes while running and emits a loud sound while being used.
High Pressure Cleaners Have Different Nozzles
You might think that high pressure cleaners come with only one type of nozzle and are the same for every cleaner. This is not the case. Different high pressure washer nozzles are required for different types of jobs. These different tips or nozzles will give your high pressure cleaner a different level of pressure. If you’re not careful in choosing the right nozzle to use for the job, you might even end up with potential damages.
Can Cause Injury If Not Used Correctly
High pressure cleaners can cause severe injury to skin and eyes if used improperly. People who work with high-pressure cleaners should wear protective clothing, including goggles or face masks that provide protection from dust particles. High-pressure cleaners also damage delicate materials such as wood, plastic, and paint; therefore it is essential that you take care when using this type of equipment on these types of surfaces in order to avoid any damage to your products or yourself.
Great At Removing Stubborn Dirt
High pressure cleaning is a good option if you need to remove stubborn dirt, grime, or mildew. It’s also useful for removing paint and graffiti. If you need to remove paint or graffiti from your property, however, it’s best not to do it yourself. These types of jobs require strong high pressure cleaning and are dangerous to those who are inexperienced. You should instead hire a professional who has experience with high pressure cleaning.
Makes Cleaning Jobs Faster
Cleaning with a high pressure cleaner is faster and easier than hand washing. This is because you don’t have to scrub your driveway with a brush to remove dirt, which can take longer and damage it in the long run. Cleaning the conventional way is time consuming, not to mention tiresome as well. With high pressure cleaning, you’re basically scrubbing dirt with water and washing it off at the same time which saves up a lot of time and effort.
You Can’t Use A High Pressure Cleaner On Everything
As much as it is convenient, you can’t use a high pressure cleaner on everything. High pressure cleaners are great for cleaning the interior of your home, but they’re not meant to be used on stone or brick. They also shouldn’t be used on painted surfaces if you don’t want to get paint chips. And don’t even think about using one inside your house!
High pressure cleaning can be useful for certain purposes, but it may not be ideal for your needs. For example, if you have allergies or asthma issues and are sensitive to dust or pollen in the air, high pressure cleaning might aggravate the problem. Also, if you have a lot of pets at home (especially cats), high-pressure cleaners may cause harm because they use chemicals that aren’t safe for cats’ eyes or lungs.
We hope that we’ve given you an idea of what to expect from the process and given you a better understanding of how high pressure cleaning works. If you need help with your next cleaning project, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are 100% WA owned and operated with over 20 years experience in concrete driveway painting and repair, pressure cleaning of dirty pavers, cleaning and sealing of all surfaces. We look forward to hearing from you!