{"id":42468,"date":"2015-09-15T15:08:52","date_gmt":"2015-09-15T15:08:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/article\/pressure-washers_o"},"modified":"2015-09-15T15:08:52","modified_gmt":"2015-09-15T15:08:52","slug":"pressure-washers_o","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/products\/pressure-washers_o\/","title":{"rendered":"Pressure washers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As the name implies, pressure washers use motorized pumps to force water at high speed through a hose. The resulting pressurized water often eliminates the need for harsh cleaning chemicals, degreasers, or detergents.<\/p>\r

Rated in pounds per square inch (psi), a unit\u2019s psi indicates its ability to break the contaminant-surface bond. Basically, the greater the psi, the better the washer can scrub the tough stuff.<\/p>\r

But beware: The psi needed to peel paint is much greater than that for getting dirt off a fender. Too much psi could mean an unscheduled paint job.<\/p>\r

Pressure isn\u2019t everything<\/h3>\r

Flow is as important as pressure. The more gallons per minute (gpm) a washer produces, the more quickly it obliterates the caked-on mud from a road grader\u2019s undercarriage.<\/p>\r

As with pressure, however, flow alone doesn\u2019t fully describe the cleaning prowess of a pressure washer. To get a clearer picture, multiply the psi and gpm to calculate cleaning units (CU).<\/p>\r

For instance, a 3,500-psi machine operating at 3.8 gpm has 13,300 CUs. Considering psi alone, it looks more robust than a 3,000-psi model. But if the latter offers 4.5 gpm, it has 13,500 CU, or 200 more than the first option.<\/p>\r

Next page: Flow\u2019s not everything, either, Hot or not?<\/strong><\/p>\r<\/div> \r

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Flow\u2019s not everything, either<\/h3>\r

Pressure and flow speed don\u2019t mean squat without sufficient horsepower. A washer may be rated at a certain pressure and flow, but the engine turning the pump dictates whether it hits those marks.<\/p>\r

Pressure washers have varying horsepower requirements depending on whether they have electric or gas motors. To figure that out, use the following calculations:<\/p>\r