pressure washer - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Traditions · 05-04-2007, 07:52 PM

I am going to buy a new pressure washer tomorrow. i am in between a 3000 and 4000 psi. I am doing mostly decks, and small homes prepping for paint. Would i be good to go with the 3000. I have been using a much smaller pressure washer for years, don't really use one too often. Opinions please.

**slickshift** · 05-04-2007, 08:01 PM

I've been using a 2800 for years
It's enough, but sometimes I'm pushing it
I'm not a full time p/w-er by any means
I use it prolly like you do/would

I'd say the 3000 should do it

I didn't step up to the next size because it was significantly heavier
I have to lift it up onto the back of the van, so...

Brushslingers · 05-04-2007, 08:01 PM

Look for GPM instead, unless your doing alot of concrete...

Traditions · 05-04-2007, 08:25 PM

whats a good gpm? Anything else to look for?

**slickshift** · 05-04-2007, 08:58 PM

For a 3K psi? 2.5. 2.8
Belt drives supposed to be better
But mines a direct drive

Brushslingers · 05-04-2007, 10:21 PM

Ya, a 4k will push.. or at least can push around 4 gpm or more... shouldn't need something that big though unless you plan on buying a whisper or doing crete... my old 4k with a zero tip could cut a small tree down.

**Teetorbilt** · 05-04-2007, 11:22 PM

I'm also looking for input. My Troybilt is 2600 PSI but that is only with the 0 tip. Go to the 25* tip and the pressure drops to 1700, a little larger hole and you are down to garden hose pressure. My conjecture is low volume.

BTW, the little unit has done everything that I wanted it for. With the 0* tip, I'm sure that it would trim the bushes and trees.

Guage the tool to the job.

theartisan · 05-04-2007, 11:49 PM

I'm actually looking at buyin a new unit myself.

Does anyone know of an advantage of having a horizontal side mounted pump vs a vertical bottom mounted pump?

rservices · 05-05-2007, 09:20 AM

A great power washing forum www.thegrimescene.com

From what I understand the gpm is the important factor. you can get a lot of units wit6h anything from 1200 psi to 3600 psi but they only push about 2 1/2 gpm. the real cleaning is done with higher gpm.

I've been using a 2700 psi 2.7 gpm for a few years but when I see the right price I want a hot unit 4 to 5 gpm. any thing over 5 gpm requires additional water supply ( normal hose pressure is about 5)

bigchaz · 05-05-2007, 06:50 PM

If you are doing decks, proper chemicals are important, not pressure

4gpm is recomended if you want to rinse at a decent pace. You could get away with a lower gpm but youll spend a lot longer rinsing the deck.

With wood, theres no reason to pressure over 1000 psi and you can throw the 0 degree tip out immediately.

Belt drive will keep the pump lasting much longer and allow you to draw from a tank if you dont have water supply. Direct drive will probably fit your needs fine as well though

KENNEDY · 05-06-2007, 10:54 AM

Ditto, to what BigChaz said. I used to use a 3 gpm machine and upgraded to 5.6 gpm at the begining of last year for doing decks. Easily cut the time in half and for housewashes even more.