What PSI for different jobs?

[beatonitmore1]

Hi, I am starting a new power washing business and I am wondering what psi is for which type of jobs. I believe that I should buy a couple different pressure washers, one for concrete and one for siding/decks. I can't buy a hotsy just yet so I am gonna have to buy a couple coldies. I have been offered a 2700 psi Honda. Does anyone know what type of work this machine will be good for? I also have questions on chemicals but I'll leave that for another thread. Thanks for looking and btw, this site rocks!

 

[rknight68]

Pressure

Beaton,

I'm new around here and power washing too. This site and a few others have proven invaluble to me in starting up. I have held off on actually doing work yet even though I have everything to start except I want an X-jet. That's because I just keep finding out more and more that will help me to start off on the right foot and to provide a quality service from the first job.

Anyway you would use different tips to achieve different pressures, not different machines. I don't know enough to say what that machine is best slated for, but I've read of others starting with less. What you plan on cleaning has a lot to do with what machine you pick. I found a very good condition, used 3500 psi Mi-T-M hot water w/ 13HP Honda for my starter. Cost a bit more, but I think I'll have a easier time cleaning a variety of surfaces with the hotwater.

Anyway, good luck and read read read....

Rog

 

[Henry Bockman]

Most 3,000PSI machines will work fine for almost anything. What you want to pay attention to is how many gallons per minute. 4gpm is usually considered the minimum most guys use 5gpm and up. For example mine is an 8gpm rig that can run two guns at 4gpm.

 

[john orr]

Hey Beatonitmore,

I saw a guy from Bethel (CT - on another bbs) that is selling a complete hot water rig. He said he will be putting it on eBay as well.

Mark, is it OK to post a link to another bbs? I don't want to cause any problems.

 

[TexasWash]

Beaton

A 3000psi cold unit should work for most of your "start-up" jobs but i caution you to really get comfortable with the "tips" and how they relate to adjusting the pressure that your machine kicks. for instance, while pressure washing concrete or certain types of brick it may be acceptable to use a 15 degree tip, but take that same tip and pressure to a deck of older wood on that same property and you could end up facing big issues with furring. Just a suggestion from someone who furred his Uncle's deck as hs first client.


TW

 

[beatonitmore1]

Thanks everyone. A guy who I work with is trying to pawn off his pressure washer to me for $500. Hope I can get him down a tad. I have yet to see it but he tells me it is a Job Pro 2700 psi w/ 6 hp Honda. I do not know what pump it has yet or even if it really is 2700 psi. I'll see this weekend. Anyone know if this is a good machine? Oh btw, he said it is 2 years old with 2 hours on it from washing his deck. He said he hit himself in the foot and put the machine away, heheh. Thanks everyone for posting, a great help.

 

[squirtgun]

The machine you decribe is considered by most a homeowners model.You would be better served looking for something that delivers around 3000 psi/4gpm.Belt drives are better that direct drive but both will do a good job.The guy telling you this is a PRO machine is only relaying what the guy at the home improvement store told him and neither really have a clue.

 

[Larry B]

I think you could get a brand new machine of that "quality" for $500, he is not giving you any deal. For a few hundred more you can get a machine with a 11 or 13 hp Honda and more gpm's. That one most likely is only a 2.5 gpm machine, not enough to do work quickly.

 

[WeatherMan]

I've seen better ones with 3500 psi and 4gpm brand new for $850.

 

[therock]

Where?

I've seen better ones with 3500 psi and 4gpm brand new for $850.