These are the Terms you need to know before you go to the store.

PSI

• Pounds per Square Inch. This is the standard for measuring the water pressure.

GPM

• Gallons Per Minute. This is the standard for measuring the MAXIMUM amount of water that the pressure washer can pump.

CU

• Cleaning Units. PSI x GPM = CU. The Cleaning Units formula is used to describe the total output and cleaning power of the pressure washer.

HP

• Horsepower. This is the amount of power that the Gas Enigine or Electric Motor can produce. Electric HP and Gas HP is measured differrently. An easy was to convert Electric HP to Gas HP is to multiply by 1.5 (not perfect but good enough for a quick estimate).

Examples

1.5 E.HP x 1.5 = 2.25 G.HP

3 E.HP x 1.5 = 4.5 G.HP

 

Power Source. Electric or Gas?

The electric pressure washers available in the hardware stores today are the smallest and most economical pressure washer on the market. Not as durable or as powerful as a gas powered machine but these units can be used indoors if necessary, are very lightweight and portable, take up very little room and are well suited for cleaning the car or a small patio and outdoor furnature. Combine with a detergent for best cleaning results.

The gasoline pressure washers have more cleaning capabilities. They have more HP and are not resricted to your outlet. They are larger and noiser machines however, and cannot be run indoors. A gasoline powered pressure washer is best suited for larger jobs such as driveways, decks, patios, roofs, siding, interlocking brick and pavers, and can utilize many more of the accessories made for the pressure wash industry.