Power washer?

22Rimfire

22Rimfire

Formally Fortkevin2...
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Looking to pick up a power washer. From what I’ve read to run a surface cleaner I need a minimum of 4 GPM (Gallon per minute). I have a fairly large concrete driveway that I need to clean as well as a house and shop. I need something where I can do some down stream injecting of bleach to wash the house/shop.

Anyone have any experience with dewalt power washers? I’m a big fan of anything with a Honda engine. Budget is sub $1000. Don’t want to spend all weekend washing the house if not possible.

Belt driven is probably over my budget but is it worth spending more to get one?

Looking at this

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...lex-Pump-California-Compliant-60896/305967793


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Don’t cheap out here. If you go budget route one thing with budget units, not cheap but budget, is do not let the units idle without the water flowing because it keeps the pump cool so it doesn’t heat and gall. Also avoid bleach ... it an damage the pump’s internals, damage some surfaces and kill grass and plants.
 
I am on my second cheapo electric one about to need a 3rd one :(

I’m about to buy a gas powered one and spend some money on it so this thread is helpful.
 
Generac. Southern States. It’s all about the style of the pump on the unit. I have a concrete attachment with caster wheels I do the double drive with. It cut my cleaning time by 60% or more.
 
Oh yeah, make sure the driveway is real wet prior to pressure washing ... do it in sections and spray down the section with a garden hose to pre-wet it prior to pressure washing it. I’ve even done it right after a rain because the crud comes up way easier when it’s pre-moistened than when it dry and baked on.
 
Keep in mind folks when you constantly pressure wash cement you will strip the finish eventually and expose the stone. This more true when the concrete company did not use vibratory equipment.
 
amnesia said:
I am on my second cheapo electric one about to need a 3rd one :(

I’m about to buy a gas powered one and spend some money on it so this thread is helpful.
Click to expand...


I bought a AR Blue Clean 390SS off Amazon in 2016....its still going strong despite my efforts to kill it. Doesn't have the "umph" of a gas but works well for small jobs and the occasional car wash.

I need to get a gas powered one to do the house exterior.
 
First to say we don't use one much. I'd say once a year on the house and porches and walk ways. @RS bought one at HF for $80. On her fourth year now with No probs.
 
I've owned a 4000 psi 3.65 gph Northern Tool unit for almost 20 years. At around year 14 had to have some seals and the carb replaced (ethanol fuel). Other than that the darn thing just works. It has the Honda 13hp engine.

Look into getting a turbo nozzle; they kick ass when it comes to heavy removal (such as grease build up on heavy equipment).
 
The rental company near me rents one out for $50/day.

I'm considering going that route for something I'd only use every other year or so.
 
Scsmith42 said:
I've owned a 4000 psi 3.65 gph Northern Tool unit for almost 20 years. At around year 14 had to have some seals and the carb replaced (ethanol fuel). Other than that the darn thing just works. It has the Honda 13hp engine.

Look into getting a turbo nozzle; they kick ass when it comes to heavy removal (such as grease build up on heavy equipment).
Click to expand...
I probably have the same one. I bought it around 15 years ago and have not had any issues yet. It only gets used maybe once a year by me but I loan it out frequently. Pneumatic tires suck and I have to pump them up every time I use it but other than that, it's been great.
 
I have found Northern Tool sells other manufacturers items then takes data from what was good and bad then brands their own which is excellent stuff.
 
First question in buying a pressure washer is, Are you on a well or city water? The second is, what is your flow rate?

The Stihl pressure washers are nice. The RB800 checks all your boxes, except it's a little over budget. 4200 PSI and 4 gpm is a little overkill for a rotary surface cleaner, IMO. Although you can turn down the pressure on the pump.

Stihl RB600 is 3200 psi at 3 gpm and plenty powerful for homeowner / ranch use.
 
The turbo nozzle makes cleaning the driveway faster.
 
22Rimfire said:
Looking to pick up a power washer. From what I’ve read to run a surface cleaner I need a minimum of 4 GPM (Gallon per minute). I have a fairly large concrete driveway that I need to clean as well as a house and shop. I need something where I can do some down stream injecting of bleach to wash the house/shop.

Anyone have any experience with dewalt power washers? I’m a big fan of anything with a Honda engine. Budget is sub $1000. Don’t want to spend all weekend washing the house if not possible.

Belt driven is probably over my budget but is it worth spending more to get one?

Looking at this

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...lex-Pump-California-Compliant-60896/305967793


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I have one of these. It is a pretty good washer. It is WAY WAY overkill if you are not doing this commercially. There are lots of good little washers with Honda engines, 3 gpm (all the flow rate you need), for about a third of the cost. I had to get a new pump for mine, but I did use it commercially for a while, and bought it used.

Folks think the key word in "pressure washer" is "pressure." This is false. The key word is "washer." The only thing that really matters is how many gallons per minute you deliver. The water flow is everything. The pressure just allows you to get water WAY UP THERE to the corners and eaves on your second story without a ladder. The actual deliverable pressure is about 3200 psi anyway. Mine was 4200 internal pressure, but when the pump failed (after 7 years of riding it HARD), I bot a 3000 psi pump.

My advice: don't spend the money.
 
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