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A Quick Guide to the Different Types of Pressure Washers

Did you know that there are around 100,000 different forms of mold? While not every type of mold is dangerous, it can still be an eyesore when it grows on the side of your home, on your driveway, or on top of your deck. One great method for removing mold and mildew is with a pressure washer. 

If you’ve done your research on pressure washers, you might’ve discovered that there are multiple types of pressure washers. This tool comes in a variety of styles, designs, and pressure amounts. It’s important to know what type is best for your upcoming project so you make an educated purchase. 

Our pressure washer guide will discuss the different types of pressure washers so you can purchase the one that’ll help you accomplish the tasks you want it to. 

Hot Water Pressure Washer

Hot water pressure washers have several benefits over using cold water. Hot water pressure washers can get up to 311°. That high temperature gives you the ability to clean things that you can’t with just cold water.

The average pressure washer that uses cold water can only get up to 140°. That temperature is what the water faucet inside of your home can get to. Using a cold water pressure washer is safer because of that reason. 

However, there are some projects where you’ll need to have very hot water to clean a surface much easier. The hot water can cut through grime like grease and oil without you needing to use more detergent. Be careful with how you handle a hot water pressure washer so you don’t burn yourself. 

Hot water is also effective at killing bacteria and germs. Additionally, the drying times are a lot faster with this type of pressure washer. Since the water is so hot, it’ll evaporate at a faster rate. 

Cold Water Pressure Washer

A cold water pressure washer is one of the most common pressure washer types. They’re easy to operate and more affordable to purchase. Cold water pressure washers are also easy for homeowners to operate. 

Cold water pressure washers are also effective for cleaning mold off siding or old paint off a deck. There are a variety of commercial cold water pressure washer models available that contractors and professional pressure washers can utilize. 

Gas-Powered Pressure Washer

Gas-powered pressure washers have a significant amount of power, more so than an electric model. For people who need a big job completed, a gas-powered pressure washer is a way to go. 

A gas-powered pressure washer is also much more portable than an electric one. That’s because electric pressure washers have to be plugged in to function.

Gas-powered pressure washers don’t have to be connected to an extension cord. You can move about your property and use it wherever you need to. 

You can also clean things much faster with a gas-powered pressure washer. The increased power of the unit helps make larger jobs go by a lot quicker. 

One downside with gas-powered pressure washers is the fumes and noise. These units will emit fumes, so you can’t use them indoors.  

The noise gas-powered units make can be bothersome for some people. The more powerful the machine, the more noise it’ll make. You’ll want to invest in some noise-canceling earmuffs if the noise bothers you. 

Electric Powered Pressure Washers

Electric-powered units are the most common type of pressure washers the average homeowner has. They’re generally lightweight and easy to use. Electrical pressure washers are also more cost-effective than gas ones. 

If you have a large pressure washing job, this type of unit might not be powerful enough to accomplish what you need it to. They’re limited to how much power they put out by the outlet you plug it into. 

Different Pressure Washer Styles 

Each type of pressure washer comes with a variety of styles and accessories. You can upgrade your model with different tolls depending upon what your needs are. 

Wheels

You’ll find that most pressure washer models come with wheels. The wheels make it easy for you to move your unit wherever you need it to go. Depending upon the size of the unit, it’ll have two or four wheels. 

Larger, gas-powered units usually have four wheels. The models that have tow wheels are easy for the average homeowner to move around. 

Soap Dispenser

Some pressure-washer units come with an automatic soap dispenser. A soap dispenser makes your project much easier since you don’t have to worry about manual dispensing the soap. This feature will streamline the pressure-washing process, making it go by much faster. 

Standing Pressure Washer

A standing pressure washer is easy to carry around and comes with handles on the top for you to grab. These units are also very lightweight. 

A standing pressure washer often features a compact design. They’re easy to fit inside of your car and take to another location. 

Automatic Shut-Off

An automatic shut-off turns off the unit when you’re not holding down the trigger or handle. A lot of models won’t shut off, which results in wasting energy and causing wear on your pump. A unit that automatically shuts off will prevent both of those things from happening. 

Interchangeable Nozzles

If you’re working on a project that doesn’t need full power, all you have to do is switch out the nozzle that works best for a lighter job. Having interchangeable nozzles makes it easier for you to choose the best nozzle for the job. It’ll save you a lot of hassle and time in the future. 

Explore Our Different Types of Pressure Washers

Knowing the basics about different types of pressure washers will help you make an informed purchase. The model you purchase depends upon the types of jobs you typically do and how large of an area you’re hoping to clean. 

Check out the brands of pressure washers we carry before heading into our Kernersville location. 

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