A pressure washer - otherwise known as a water blaster - is a very fast and high-powered way to clean a large surface, or a particularly stubborn stain. Not all pressure washers are created equal, however, and this guide will help you select the type best suited to your situation.

The Pump Is A Priority

A pump is the beating heart of a pressure washer, and dictates how powerfully the machine will operate. Obviously, this is vitally important in terms of overall performance and results, so look for a pump and motor that will last AND perform. The cheapest pressure washers usually have pumps that do a good job without doing a great job. It's worth investing a little more to buy a pressure washer with a pump that will last and do the job to your expectations.

How Much Pressure Do You Need?

If your pressure washing job could be considered as "light", or the surface you're cleaning is not that strong and robust, then a pressure washer up to 1500 psi should be fine for your needs. For example, this type of pressure would be suitable for patio furniture or small decks. Tougher jobs, like concrete walkways and driveways, need something a little more powerful e.g. anywhere between 1500 to 3000 psi. For the hardest jobs of all, and we're talking industrial or large-scale tasks, you may need to explore the options that exceed 3000 psi.

Light And Electric

If your pressure washer is only required occasionally, and for light jobs, an electric-powered model may be all you need. They're generally cheaper, and quieter, but you are restricted by the power cord. However, if you don't need to venture too far from a power source, and if your electric pressure washer is only to be used now and again, it's a perfectly adequate machine for around the home.

Petrol Power

For more heavy-duty cleaning, petrol-powered pressure washers are considered to deliver superior results than electric washers. It all depends on how you define heavy duty cleaning! But for jobs bigger than a light clean of the deck, or for regular and intensive cleaning, petrol should give you more power.

Don't Neglect The Nozzle:

There are different nozzle settings for different types of cleaning. Some all-in-one nozzles give you that variety in one device, so check if that is available in the washer you're interested in. It's handy to remember that a nozzle with a broader cleaning range is a safer way to go about cleaning, particularly if you're new to using a pressure washer; nozzles that are too narrow and deliver more pressure than required can cut into the surface you're cleaning.

A Weighty Issue

Some of the bigger and more powerful pressure cleaners are heavy and a little hard to manoeuvre, as you'd expect from a piece of machinery that delivers high-impact blasts of water. This isn't too much of a problem if your pressure washer is to stay in one place. But, if you require your washer to perform many tasks in different locations, portability will be a big factor in your decision. Some units come on wheels to increase mobility, so if you need to take your pressure washer from place to place to carry out a variety of cleaning jobs, this could be an option.