Understanding Pressure Washers

Understanding Pressure Washers

Pressure washers use compressed water to create a powerful stream that can be used to remove dirt, grime, fungus, algae, etc. from difficult outdoor surfaces. They have the ability to get into cracks and crevices that otherwise may be impossible to get into.

They use just water so they are environmentally safe. The extreme pressure created by the pump lets the water do all the work, while the user merely needs to point the water at the surface that needs cleaning.

Difficult outdoor surfaces can be cleaned with the assistance of sand blasters or cleaning chemical, however both these methods have their drawbacks. Sand blasters can waste a lot of sand on a large area, and cleaning chemical can be bad for the environment. Pressure washers use only water, and are therefore less costly than these other methods.

 

What you need to know about PSI vs GPM

PSI (Pounds per Square Inch)
The PSI of your pressure washer matters. On the lower end are pressure washers with a 1,000-2,000 PSI. They are good for most typical residential jobs. The next level up are power washers with a PSI of 2100-2900. These can be used for heavier residential purposes, or lighter commercial uses.

But the Mosmatic Professional will typically be working with power washers with 3000 – 4000 PSI.  For industrial purposes, pressure washers with a PSI of 5000 or above are typically used.

GPM (Gallons Per Minute)
The GPM on pressure washers is also important. The higher the GPM, the faster the pressure washer will work. Two pressure washers may have the same PSI, but the one with a higher GPM will get the job done faster. This can save you time, as well as gas or electricity.

CU (Cleaning Units)
The relationship between PSI and GPM is demonstrated through a measurement called Cleaning Units, or CU. This number is found by multiplying the PSI and GPM. A washer with 3000 PSI and a 3 GPM will have a CU of 9,000. A washer with 3,500 PSI and a 2 GPM will only have a CU of 7,000. So the pressure washer with the lower PSI will actually get the job done faster than the pressure washer with a higher PSI.