Pressure Washer Buying Guide
Why Do You Need a Pressure Washer?
Clean hundreds of items faster, better and easier!
Simply put, pressure washers make outdoor cleaning faster, easier and more fun! A pressure washer cleans everything from decks and driveways to siding, garage floors and cars. They deliver up to 75 times more power than an ordinary garden hose, giving you the power to blast away built-up mold, mildew, dirt and grime to restore surfaces to like-new condition in a fraction of the time it would normally take. Within minutes, you can hook it up to your home garden hose and be ready to clean.
Gas-powered pressure washers deliver unbeatable cleaning performance, flexibility and durability giving you the freedom to clean anything, anywhere
How to Select the Right Pressure Washer For the Job
All pressure washers are measured in PSI and GPM. Both PSI and GPM are important for truly effective cleaning. The higher the combination of these numbers, the more area you can effectively clean allowing you to get the job
done faster:
PSI – Pounds per Square Inch: is the water pressure developed, measured in pounds per square inch. It is what gives you the power to penetrate the dirt and grime.
GPM – Gallons per Minute: is the water flow delivered to the spray gun, measured in gallons per minute. It gives you the power to break down the dirt and wash it away.
Product power & durability: Choosing a product that is powerful and durable enough to fit your cleaning needs is key. The heavier the duty level, the longer lasting and more powerful the cleaning machine is.
Features that Make a Difference
Engine - All Briggs & Stratton pressure washers are powered by Briggs & Stratton engines, which are designed for easy starting, reliable performance, reduced noise and longer life. For heavy duty cleaning projects, look for engines with an OHV design, which delivers a cooler, cleaner and more efficient engine.
Pump - Maintenance-free axial cam pumps with Easy Start™ technology are designed to make starting easier and smoother. Heavy-duty axial cam pumps are also maintenance free, but are also more durable and deliver greater performance for frequent use.
For the toughest jobs, the professional grade triplex plunger pump delivers maximum performance and is intended for daily use. It also comes equipped with adjustable pressure regulation, which allows you to match the pressure coming from the pump to your cleaning task.
Spray Nozzles - The ProjectPro™ Nozzle System is a set of nozzles with preset pressure and flow settings for different projects.
Delicate - Lower pressure and higher flow for gentle cleaning.
- Cars/Trucks
- Patio Furniture
- Lawn Equipment
General - Medium pressure and medium flow for all purpose cleaning.
- Home Siding
- Brick Patios
- Wood Decks
- Garage Floors
Max - Higher pressure and lower flow for stubborn or hard to reach surfaces.
- 2nd Story Surfaces
- Paint Removal
- Oil Stains
- Rust Removal
Cleaning Detergent Nozzle - Applies cleaning detergent to help break down stubborn dirt and grime on a variety of surfaces.
Pro-Style Spray Tips - These offer predefined spray patterns from pinpoint (0°) to wide fan (40°) and a soap tip for providing precise spray pattern control. They are designed for frequent use.
Pressurized Hose Reel - No more twisted and kinked hose! This reel allows you to easily use and store your hose. Only unwind the amount of hose you need for your project. Then easily wind it up for storage.
Optional Accessories
A pressure washer’s engine and pump might produce the power, but it’s the attachments and accessories that put that cleaning power in your hands. Specialty attachments are available to help make cleaning faster, easier, and more effective.
Turbo Nozzle - A turbo nozzle whirls a powerful pinpoint jet of water for intense cleaning. Turbo nozzles can clean up to 40% faster than standard spray nozzles and are recommended for cleaning brick, concrete and vinyl surfaces.
Utility Brush - A utility brush sweeps dirt and grime away from surfaces like decks, siding, wheels, grills, and patio furniture. Water flows through brush while applying detergent for maximum cleaning power on hard to clean areas.
Rotating Brush - Easily remove dirt from a variety of surfaces with a rotating brush. Water pressure spins the inner brush while applying detergent for removing stubborn dirt from vehicles, boats, windows and other smooth surfaces.
Ask About Service
A properly maintained pressure washer will provide optimum performance for years, so buying from a servicing dealer is a big advantage.
As with all Briggs & Stratton products, our pressure washers are supported by America’s largest service network. Should you need assistance, Briggs & Stratton has authorized warranty repair centers around the country. Locate a dealer near you.
Glossary
Adjustable Pressure Regulator - A pressure washer feature that adjusts the water pressure to the specific cleaning task.
Adjustable Spray Wand - Some models are equipped with an adjustable spray wand that you can adjust the spray angle by turning the tip.
Automatic Cool Down System (Thermal Relief) - Cycles water through pump when water reaches 125 - 155 degrees F. Warm water will discharge from pump onto ground. This system prevents internal pump damage.
Axial Cam - A device (cam) used to transform the rotary motion of the motor/engine into the reciprocating motion of a pump’s pistons.
Detergent Injection System - Cleaning detergents are drawn into water stream to make cleaning more effective by allowing detergents to saturate the soiled surface.
Cubic Centimeters (cc) - A unit of measurement for the displacement of the engine, which helps identify the its relative size.
High Pressure Outlet - Connection for high-pressure hose.
OHV - Same as “overhead valve”, an improved way to control exhaust and intake valves on internal combustion engines.
Purge - A method of eliminating air from a pressure washer so that starting the engine is easier.
RPM - Same as “revolutions per minute.” The amount of revolutions (turns) an engine makes in one minute.
Side Valve - A type of internal combustion engine that uses a conventional “L” type cylinder head with the exhaust and intake valves on the side of the engine.
Spray Gun - Controls the application of water onto the cleaning surface with a trigger.
Thermal Relief - A technique use to reduce the build-up of high temperature water within a pressure washer pump caused when the spray gun trigger is closed.
Torque - A unit of measurement of the immediate twisting force required to turn the pump. Measures the rational force that pumps the water. Measured in ft-lbs. Per SAE J1940 standards.
Turbo Nozzle - A device used to increase the effectiveness of high-pressure water, by spinning a narrow stream of water in a circle at a high speed.
Unloader - A device used to relieve the water pressure within the pump whenever spray flow is blocked.
TROUBLESHOOTING FAQS
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