Pressure washers are one of the handiest tools a homeowner can purchase. They can be used for everything from cleaning out your dog kennel to preparing a house for a new paint job. And if you know what to look for in purchasing one, you'll have a great piece of all-purpose cleaning equipment at your disposal for years to come.
What Do I Need A Pressure Washer For? The answer to that question is simple: just about everything. When most people think of pressure washers they conjure up images of professional painters dangling off ladders in order to prep flaking surfaces for a facelift. The truth is that pressure washers have a number of possible uses that encompass just about any outdoor cleaning task you can imagine. Some of the most popular everyday uses of these machines include cleaning cars, driveways and walkways, gutters and downspouts, siding, outdoor furniture, dog kennels, garage floors, lawn mowers, garden equipment, and trash cans, and other soiled receptacles. Add to these a few of the more industrial uses, such as preparing surfaces to be painted and washing hard to clean areas and equipment where grease, heavy dirt and oil buildup occurs, and it's easy to see why keeping a pressure washer in the garage is an excellent investment over time. Remember, buying a power washer isn't just an investment in a new toy; it's really a cost-effective maintenance solution for the upkeep of your home, property, vehicles, tools, and a whole lot more.
How to Choose the Right Model for YouMany things need to be taken into account when choosing the right power washer, including how you plan to use it, how frequently you plan to use it, and how much money you can spend. If your washer use is limited to some spring cleaning (washing off your home's siding, cleaning off the driveway and walks, etc.) you'll probably be okay with a lower end, direct drive washer: the kind of washer you'll typically find at most hardware stores. If you plan to use your washer more frequently, more than 100 hours per year, you'll probably want to make the step up to a higher end agricultural or industrial model. Most cheaper residential models simply won't hold up over the long run when exposed more vigorous use.