To choose the best pressure washer it is a worthwhile exercise thinking about what you will be cleaning, how dirty it will be and how often you plan to use it.

For this post, Britclean will share some expert advice to help you find the right one with the power and features for your specific cleaning jobs.

Here we will focus on light, medium and heavy-duty washers and explain where they can be used.

What is a Light Duty Jet Washer?

Cleaning small areas of lightly soiled paving, bicycles, small cars and garden furniture is the best use for light-duty jet washers. These tend to have low powered motors between 1200W and 1600W, with low water pressure and low flow rates. They are split into small hand-carried units and petite trolley-style models with low handles and small wheels with hose lengths between three to five metres.

The Uses of Medium Duty Pressure Washers

Medium duty washers are commonly used for cleaning domestic garden paved areas and decking, cars plus 4x4s. Some of the more well-known models including Nilfisk and mid-powered Karcher (both supplied by Britclean) tend to be quick and easy to use with good cleaning ability. You can expect a medium-powered motor of 1600W to 2000W with mid-range water pressure and medium flow rates. Your hose will be between five or six metres and could also have hose reels.

Explaining Heavy-Duty Jet Washers

Heavy-duty washers are used for cleaning extensive areas of paving, grimy 4-wheel drive vehicles, commercial vehicles and caravans. While they are more expensive than low and medium-duty versions, they come equipped with high-powered motors, the high water pressure of between 130 to 150 bar with high flow rates allowing them to clean quickly and efficiently. It is important to understand how to use this type of washer properly to avoid damage your surfaces. Accessories can also include telescopic handles, multiple lances plus other robust cleaning extras.

Get in Touch with Any Questions

If you have any questions about Britclean’s range of pressure washers, please do not hesitate to contact us today. We offer the leading brands of washers including Nilfisk, Karcher, Ehrle plus our own manufactured in-house ready for purchase or hire.

There are a number of accessories available to help you realise the full potential of your power washers from Britclean.

Sometimes buying accessories in bulk when you purchase a power washer is more cost-effective and it is better to understand how they can help first. This is where we can help, with this handy guide to all of the accessories a pressure washer can use.

Explaining Accessories for Power Washers

Here is a brief breakdown of the accessories that can be used with a power washer –

Lances – Most washers come with a basic lance that is suitable for most tasks, but others are available for specific tasks such as different surfaces.

Detergents – Detergent can be used to shift tough muck or grime. A number of detergents have a specific formula that suits the surface you are cleaning. These will help to penetrate the dirt plus they can also protect and maintain your outdoor living spaces.

Patio Cleaners – Patio cleaners are great for cleaning patios and decking as the rotating nozzles cover a larger surface than a lance alone. They also provide a faster clean than a lance and as the cleaner hovers over the surface you will benefit from a much more even clean.

Foam Nozzles – Foam nozzles are a simple way to apply detergent. The detergent is applied to the surface as a thick foam which clings to surfaces and allows more time for the formulae to work. This can be quite useful for cleaning vertical surfaces like cars.

Brushes – Brushes that attach to the power washer guns are essential for tackling stubborn dirt on sensitive surfaces like woodwork and vehicles.

Extending Hose – If you are working away from the water supply tap you may need a heavy-duty professional hose which adds length to your water supply hose. They will need to be hooked up to your tap and pressure washer with connectors.

Got any Questions? Get in Touch Now

If you have any questions about power washer accessories, contact Britclean now. We are Staffordshire and Cheshire’s leading supplier of jet washers for domestic and commercial customers.

Adding a patio or decking to your garden creates a fantastic outdoor space for entertaining and dining. Using pressure washers to clean your decking or patio will prevent the build-up of dirt and algae.

Read our latest blog for a simple guide on cleaning decking and patio slabs using a pressure washer.

Jet washers help you to skip the hard work of using a manual scrubbing brush, as their powerful pump and narrow nozzle blast water in a forceful spray. This will remove dirt and grime from paving slabs fast plus it is more efficient than your regular garden hose.

6 Steps to Pressure Washing Your Patio

1.  Clear your patio, removing all furniture, ornaments and pots.
2. Use a broom to brush away any loose debris such as leaves and dirt.
3. Connect your hose and make sure that water is running freely before you start cleaning. Allow water to flow through the washer to remove any airlocks. If you are using a hose reel it needs to be fully unwound and free of kinks to ensure constant water flow. You will need two universal connectors and a tap adaptor for your garden tap to connect your hose.
4. Connect your jet washer to the mains electricity supply then turn it on to pressurise the system.
5. Before you begin cleaning your patio, apply some detergent to the surface to help dissolve dirt and make the patio easier to clean. A number of detergents have special properties that help reduce the build-up of dirt in the future plus it will protect your surfaces from weather damage. You can purchase specific detergents for stone, wood and vehicles, with each specially designed to suit that particular task.
6. Dirt and organisms such as lichens can be difficult to remove using a standard lance or patio cleaner. Most power washers come with a rotary pencil jet nozzle which provides up to 80% more power. Switching this lance will ensure even the most stubborn dirt can be removed. Please note that the increased power of these lances means they should only be used on hard surfaces like stone or brickwork whereas sensitive surfaces such as wood or vehicle paintwork could be damaged when cleaned with this type of lance.

Hire or Buy Pressure Washers from Britclean

If you are looking to hire or purchase a pressure washer for cleaning your patio, get in touch with Britclean today.

We work with the finest range of pressure washers, including renowned brands such as Karcher, Ehrle and Nilfisk and have been working with customers across Staffordshire and Cheshire for over 40 years.