Power Washing Services and More
Discover the differences between pressure and power washers. Learn about selecting the most efficient type of pressure washer for your home.
While there are many benefits to owning your own home, it also comes with many responsibilities. If you want your home to look good, you need to keep up with cleaning. This applies to both the interior and exterior. Cleaning the exterior of your house can be tricky, especially when it comes to areas like concrete, decks, walkways or patios. These areas require specialized tools to truly clean. For hard surfaces, one of the best cleaning tools is a pressure washer.
Pressure washers use either a gas powered or electric motor to power a hose. The water is pumped through the hose at higher pressure, causing the water to blast away hard to clean substances. You can also adjust the nozzle of the house to change the strength and size of the spray. This lets you clean both concentrated areas as well as tackling larger surfaces. Pressure washers are strong enough to wash away grime from hardened surfaces and furniture without causing damage. It is also a much quicker way to clean the outside of your house.
Power Washing vs. Pressure Washing
Power washing and pressure washing are often used interchangeably. The two services share many similarities, but there are some differences. Both methods utilize high pressure water sprays to clean tougher surfaces. The difference is power washing utilizes hot water in addition to high temperatures. While it might seem like a small difference, it changes the overall effectiveness. Power washing is much better against certain stains, such as salt, mildew and mold. This is because the heat makes it more effective at removing stickier substances that get deep into a material.
Power washing is also a good way to get rid of overgrown weeds and moss. While both methods are effective ways to clear away the plants, the higher temperature from a power washer makes it difficult for the weeds to regrow. Power washing is also faster than pressure washing, making it a better choice for larger spaces. Many commercial cleaning services use power washing for this specific reason.
Pressure washers are best used on softer surfaces, including wood, siding and tiling areas. It is also better for most patios, which are sometimes damaged by the higher temperatures of a power washer. Pressure washers are typically less expensive than power washers, making it more popular among homeowners. If you are only cleaning masonry, concrete and brick and do not have a problem with mold or overgrown weeds, a pressure washer is more than adequate.
Gas-Powered Washers
In addition to choosing between power and pressure watchers, you must choose which type of pressure washer you use. Gas-powered washers are great for cleaning larger areas because they deliver a quicker, more powerful spray. It also performs nearly as well as a power washer against stickier substances.
Gas-washers are much noisier than other variants. They also require more maintenance as well. If you leave a gas-washer on for too long, it risks overheating, which can ruin the pump. You must also use antifreeze during the winter to keep the cooler temperatures from causing damage. The average cost of buying a gas-pressure washer is between $250 to $600.
Electric-Powered Washers
Electric-powered washers are almost the opposite of gas-powered. They are smaller, quieter and do not require any sort of winter protection. Their smaller size also leads to a lower cost, with most running between $100 to $350. Because they produce lower water pressure, it takes longer to clean. The wands are also less durable and may need replacing more often. You are also limited by how far you can do by the length of your power cord. Electric-powered washers are best used for smaller areas, excelling at deck and patio cleaning.
Battery-Powered Washers
Battery-powered washers are the middle ground between gas and electric. They are much smaller than the other models, but produce a limited amount of pressure. However, they are more portable than electric washers and not limited by a power cord. The weaker pressure also makes it a good choice to use on furniture. You can even use a battery-powered washer on your car. Because it has the smallest spray size, it works best in limited spaces. Some homeowners will use a battery-powered washer after a gas one as a way to get harder to reach areas that were missed in the first washing. Battery-washers cost roughly the same as electric washers, going from around $100 to $350, but you must also factor in battery costs as well.
Renting vs. Buying
Renting a pressure washer is much cheaper than buying a cleaner. Most home goods store rent pressure washers for around $50 to $90 a day. Because the cleaning is so thorough, you do not need to consistently use a pressure washer. However, rental costs will eventually add up over time. Renting also allows you to get access to some of the heavier duty units, which cost much more than the traditional models. Another consideration is hiring a professional washing or landscaping services. The costs are roughly the same as renting, with another $30 to $50 added for service charges, depending on the company. Some companies also offer package cleaning deals that include other services.
Simpson MegaShot MSH3125
The MegaShot is a high-powered gas washer. It delivers roughly 200 psi more pressure than other models, making it effective against even the most stubborn stains. It also comes with a variety of nozzles, giving you greater control over the size of the spray. It is heavy, but comes with a wheeled base to easily move around. It is also one of the quickest models to setup.
Sun Joe 2030
The Sun Joe is considered a top-of-the-line electric washer. It comes with several different sized wands, including an extension wand to help reach awkward angles. It also features dual tanks, allowing you to store multiple types of cleaning materials. You can filter between the tanks with the switch of a dial. While it is bulkier than other electric washers, it is surprisingly quiet and light enough to move around without difficulty.
