Pressure washers are heavy-duty tools used to clean a variety of surfaces with ease. They’re powered by either electricity or gas and come equipped with certain features that help make cleaning various surfaces a breeze. These machines have the power to complete many maintenance tasks, from cleaning sidewalks and decks to cars, and even for prepping your home’s siding for painting. However, it’s important to know about their parts and components, as well as how to use them safely, to efficiently complete whatever cleaning project is next on your list. To help, Tractor Supply is here with these tips and tricks for using your pressure washer.
How to Prep for Pressure Washing
Before even starting your pressure washer, it’s essential that you prepare your space, helping to avoid damage to your outdoor decor and furniture. Start by clearing the area you plan to wash, removing all plants, patio furniture and other items in the way.
Next, place a tarp over any nearby plants or landscaping features, keeping them safe from damage as you use the washer, and sweep off your patio or sidewalk to remove any rocks, dirt or debris that could go flying once you start. Make sure to avoid spaces with vents, outlets or windows, as well as power lines or exterior lights, as pressure washers can easily damage them.
There are also a few safety tips to keep in mind when using a pressure washer. For example, you should always use it on a flat surface, and never attempt to pressure wash on a ladder, as you could potentially lose your balance and hurt yourself. Additionally, stay safer while you work by having the right safety gear, including closed-toe footwear and safety goggles.
Tricks for Using Your Pressure Washer
Now that your area is clear, it’s time to start up your pressure washer. But first, be sure to connect all necessary components, including nozzles, pressure washer guns and garden hoses. Then, turn on the water supply. Additionally, you should test the nozzle by squeezing the pressure washer head’s trigger, holding for about one minute until all air comes out. When powering up your machine, start it at the lowest setting, as this will avoid kickback and allow for smooth starting.
You should keep in mind that different spray techniques can help you better complete certain cleaning tasks. For instance, spraying decks and patios in a grid-like pattern, where you start at the top and move from side to side, allows you to achieve consistent, even coverage. Wider spray patterns also allow for quicker cleaning. If you’re looking for a deeper clean, opt for a tighter spray pattern.
Cleaning with a pressure washer also involves holding your nozzle at an appropriate distance away from the surface. This prevents damage from harsh, jetting water streams that could potentially scratch materials. As a general rule, hold your nozzle about 4 inches away from the surface, and move closer if you run into challenging stains. For more fragile surfaces, such as your home’s siding, hold the nozzle approximately 4 feet away to avoid damage.
When it’s time to shut your machine down, be sure to engage the safety lock and turn off the water source, as this will keep setups from starting or spraying accidentally. Next, turn the safety lock back off and squeeze the trigger to eliminate any lingering pressure or water. Finally, disconnect your garden hose from the water inlet, and be sure to store your hose and pressure washer in a dry space, such as your garage or shed.
Different Pressure Washer Accessories You May Need
Depending on what you plan on washing, you may need additional accessories to ensure your machine works efficiently to remove dirt and grime, including:
Pressure Washer Hoses
Pressure washer hoses are designed to be more durable than traditional hoses, allowing them to stand up to the high pressures these machines require. But after some time, you may need to replace your hose, as it withstands much wear and tear from being dragged around, twisted and tugged. When selecting a replacement hose, you must ensure its diameter matches your current model, as well as your connection type.
Hoses can also be made with different materials, including plastic, polyurethane or rubber, with each one working better for different applications. For instance, polyurethane and rubber are more costly, but offer enhanced durability and flexibility, while plastic hoses are more affordable but aren’t as flexible.
Extension Wands
Do you need to pressure wash something in a higher, harder-to-reach area, such as your roof or gutters? While you should never use a ladder with a pressure washer, you can find extension wands that’ll extend your reach, allowing you to get to all spaces. The different types of extension wands include:
- Telescoping wands: These are designed to be adjustable, letting you customize lengths to be as short or long as you need.
- Straight wands: These have a straighter shape, allowing for basic cleaning at a higher reach.
- Curved wands: These come with a slight curve, making it easy to pressure wash tight areas and corners.
Pressure Washer Guns
The pressure washer gun is where water and cleaners come out of your machine. It’s also where you hold hoses and setups to deliver more precise, controlled cleaning. The gun’s mechanisms and how you engage it depend on the type you have, with different designs allowing for more comfortable use. For instance:
- Trigger guns are your more traditional type of spray gun, coming with a trigger that you pull to engage the spray.
- Weep guns are better for situations where there’s frozen water in your lines, designed with a small opening on the tip so water can drip out after disengaging the trigger.
- Open guns do not have a trigger at all, but instead a separate control lever to activate water flow, making these suitable for longer, more professional jobs.
- Dump guns are ideal for preventing water from freezing in lines, working to let go of excess pressure after opening the trigger by continually running water through the gun.
Nozzles
Nozzles are components that let you attach different pressure washer spray guns, and different types come in various colors. Each color indicates how wide your spray is, allowing you to choose something that suits whatever project you tackle next. For instance, red-colored nozzles spray at zero degrees, making these ideal for removing stubborn oils and dirt, while black nozzles offer a 65-degree spray, which is better for smaller cleaning tasks or cars. Other colors include:
- Yellow: This indicates the nozzle sprays at a 15-degree angle, making it easy to take off paints and finishes on sidings or decks.
- Green: This means nozzles have a 25-degree spray for convenient cleaning of concrete, cars or driveways.
- White: This is a nozzle with a 40-degree spray and is gentle enough to be used around light fixtures and windows.
After selecting the right nozzle, you can connect your pressure washer to your garden hose. When doing this, be sure that connections are tight and your home’s water pressure is compatible with your pressure washer.
Choosing a Pressure Washer Cleaning Solution
While you don’t always need to use a cleaning solution with your pressure washer, doing so gives spaces a deeper clean, using different agents to eliminate and clear dirt, bacteria and mold. But depending on your project and the type of material you’re working with, you may need specific pressure washer cleaners, such as:
- All-purpose cleaner: This can be used on a variety of surfaces, making it ideal for general cleaning.
- Wood detergent: This is designed for safe use on wood materials, meaning it won’t damage surfaces.
- Concrete and driveway cleaner: This is a more powerful cleaner used to remove stains and grime on driveways and other concrete surfaces.
- Pet-safe detergent: This is made with ingredients that are safe for pets to be around, allowing you to safely clean areas where they hang out most.
- Heavy-duty cleaner: This is used on soft and hard materials, working efficiently to eliminate grime and grease.
Find Pressure Washers and Other Components at Tractor Supply
Whether you’re looking for a pressure washer to start cleaning your outdoor spaces for the season or replacement accessories to keep your machine running well, rely on the products at our store and online. From pressure washers to detergents to pressure washer parts, we have everything you need to clean your driveways, patios and other areas with ease. For more information about what we offer, visit your local Tractor Supply store today or browse online.