What Is A Pressure Washer

A pressure washeris a mechanical sprayer that uses high-pressure water to clean and remove mold, grime, dust, mud, and dirt from surfaces and objects such as buildings, vehicles, and concrete road surfaces. Equipment can be rented or bought that produces pressures from 50 bars (750psi) up to 1200 bars (30,000psi) or more.

The most basic pressure washer consists of:

  •     A motor which directly drives a water pump
  •     High-pressure hose
  •     Trigger gun-style switch
  •     Nozzle Tips (Depends on the intended applications)

Just as a garden hose nozzle is used to increase the out flowing dynamic pressure of the liquid, a pressure washer adds its own power to force high-dynamic pressure. Note that the pump does not draw more water from the pipe to which the washer is connected than that source can provide; therefore, the water supply must be adequate for a given machine to be connected to it: its flow must be equal or superior to that of the washer, so that the pump is never starved (which can damage it).

Several different types of nozzles are available, each useful for a particular application. Some nozzles cause the water jet to be ejected in a triangular plane, while others emit a pencil-thin jet of water, which spirals around rapidly. Most nozzles attach directly to the trigger gun.

Some pressure washers, in combination with a particular nozzle, allow detergent to be introduced into the water stream, assisting in the cleaning process. Two types of chemical injectors are available: a low-pressure injector and a high-pressure injector.

Pressure washers are dangerous tools and should be operated with due regard to safety instructions. The water pressure near the nozzle is powerful enough to strip flesh from bone. Objects in the water supply can be ejected from the nozzle at great velocities. The cleaning process can propel objects from the surface being cleaned, also at great velocities. Pressure washers have a tendency to break up asphalt if aimed directly at it, due to high pressure water entering cracks and voids in the surface.

Most readily available consumer units (commonly found online or at hardware stores) are electric or gas-powered. The electric ones plug into a normal outlet and use/produce cold water, and typically deliver pressure up to about 2000psi. Gas-powered units can often deliver twice that pressure, though due to the hazardous nature of the gasoline exhaust they are unsuitable for enclosed and/or indoor areas. Some models can generate hot water, which can be ideal for loosening and removing oil and grease.

This is the first post is from a series of six on

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Pressure Washing.

Part One : What Is A Pressure Washer

Part Two : How Does The High Pressure Washing Work

Part Three : What Can A Pressure Washer Used For?

Part Four : How To Use A Pressure Washer

Part Five : What Are The Different Types Of Pressure Washer

Part Six : Parts Of A Pressure Washer

Ryobi RPW120E Pressure Washer

With a compact design and inovative design, this Ryobi is ideal for cleaning around the home and garden. This model has a large 1600w motor and a flow rate of 360l per hour. Onboard storage. Usually comes with a 2 year warranty as standard.

Features:

  • 120 bar Pressure
  • Powerful 1600 watt motor
  • Compact design for easy transportation
  • Lance with adjustable spray nozzles
  • Sturdy housing for added stability
  • Spray gun and detergent tank included

Technical Specification of the Ryobi RPW-120E Pressure Washer

  • Power input: 1600 watt
  • Water flow rate: 360L/hr
  • Pressure: 120bar
  • Hose length: 6m
  • Weight: 8Kg

Ryobi RPW100E 1400W Pressure Washer

The Ryobi RPW1400E Pressure Washer is the new model from Ryobi. It has a 1400W motor and operates at a maximum pressure of 100 bar with a maximum flow rate of 360 litres per hour.

Although lightweight at only 8kg, this domestic washer (which comes with a 2 Year Warranty) is ideal for smaller cleaning applications. Due to the unique design it is a sturdy tool. The variable jet lance is fed by the 5m hose. It is usually supplied complete with detergent gun for the tougher jobs you may face.

Should Pressure Washing Companies Be Licensed?

Pressure Washing Companies work with pretty extreme pressure, temperatures, and some pretty nasty chemicals to do their jobs.

Take into consideration that some deck strippers are rated at 13 on the Ph scale. Some of the acids used are rated at 1 or 2 on the Ph scale.

Think about the amount of damage that 4,000 PSI can cause in inexperienced hands to wood, siding and concrete. Shouldn’t there be some type of protection for consumers against these extremes?

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Pressure Washing Q&A

My house is 40 years old. The exterior trim – between the brick facing and the eaves – is painted wood, a dentil-molding. The trim has probably been painted 4 or 5 times, last time ten years ago. This trim is filthy and I’d like to clean it before winter. Can I use a pressure washer to clean it? Or is there a better way? Thanks.

A ryobi pressure washer will do fine. An experienced user will know what chemicals to use for cleaning as well as the pressure and jet sizes to use. To DIY just be careful and try to stay even with your cleaning.

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Safety & Pressure Washers

If you are not aware of the safety steps to follow when using a ryobi pressure washer, read on:

More and more folks are purchasing ryobi pressure washer units for home use which is excellent. However, you should be wearing a suitable particulate mask (not the pedestrian sanding or sweeping kind) AND full eye protection whenever you clean. The water is customarily under a minimum of 1500PSI of pressure and part of the cleaning process is to remove stubborn and stuck on leaves, twigs, stones, bird poop, flaked paint, dirt, etc. courtesy of that pressure.

Often, cleaning or mildewcide chemicals are used in conjunction with the pressure washer. Any of these things – dirt, dust or chemicals – can seriously hurt your eyes if they strike them. Regular corrective lenses are not sufficient. Use a full goggle style of protective eyewear if possible but keep them properly shielded.

Homeowners and new or infrequent users should also realize that they’re possibly breathing in a lot of debris, dirt, pollen, bacteria and mold spores as a result of the pressure cleaning, especially since they’re usually standing closer to the surface being cleaned because of the shorter homeowner wands. They surely should NOT inhale the junk or dirty water vapor they’re shooting off of surfaces or any of the chemicals that they may be using. An N95 particulate mask that also handles nuisance vapors should always be used. The ones with the breathing valve in them are the more comfortable to wear, even though they cost upwards of $5 each. A box of 10 can be purchased for proportionately much less.

Be safe as you clean!

Ryobi Pressure Washer

The Ryobi Ry80030 Premium Pressure Washer allows users to cut down job time with the power of 3,000 pounds per square inch in a single blast and a maximum water flow of 2.7 gallons per minute. The gasoline-powered pressure washer has a 7-horsepower, 4-cycle commercial grade Subaru engine. It also includes an easy start system and a task match system, which lets the user match different nozzles to specific jobs for more or less pressure. The Twist N’ Store handle turns out 180-degrees for cart-style transport and turns back for space saving storage when not in use. It also features an auto-lock quick disconnect wand coupler, an on-board bucket, dry-storage compartment and a wand caddy. The Ryobi Pressure Washer is available exclusively at The Home Depot, and is UL certified.

Features of the Ryobi Pressure Washer

Ryobi PPW-3000 Petrol Pressure Washer Subaru Engine Max 200 Bar Pressure 211cc Engine

Features:

  • 5 quick release spray nozzles
  • On-board detergent storage
  • Large wheels for easy movement
  • Quick release hose attachments
  • 9 metre steel reinforced rubber hose
  • Powerful 4-stroke petrol engine
  • Pressure adjustment control

Specifications:

  • Power output: 7hp
  • Pressure: 200 bar max
  • Engine capacity 211cc
  • Water flow rate: 600 litres ph
  • Hose length: 9 metres
  • Motor type:4-stroke Subaru petrol
  • Weight: 43kg

Included as standard:

  • Power lance

Petrol Engines
It is important to read all instructions regarding petrol products. 4 Stroke engines require oil and some machines are supplied dry (No oil to start with). Running a 4 stroke petrol machine without oil will result in the engine seizing and is not covered under warranty. 2 Stroke engines will have a mix of oil in the petrol this normally 1 part oil to 50 parts petrol but not always, again please read the instructions supplied with your machine. Petrol engines do require more maintenance than electric engines but if reguarly maintained they will normally give many years of use.

Ryobi Review

Here’s a great review of the ryobi pressure washer from net-reviews.com

When it comes to general household cleaning where water is involved, it is hard to go past a ryobi pressure washer. They make general cleaning jobs involving water use quick, simple and effective. There are many cleaning tasks where high pressure water flow simply outclasses your standard watering hose nozzles and the pressure they supply.

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