How Do Pressure Washers Work?
Pressure washers expel powerful jets of water through a fine nozzle to dislodge dirt and remove stains. A reliable cleaning method, pressure washing is mostly used on hard outdoor surfaces but is also regularly used to clean cars.
Pressure washers are composed of multiple components that all work in tandem to provide a powerful and effective clean. In this article, we take a look at these components in greater detail and see how they all work together to deliver the best performance for you.
What are the parts of a pressure washer?
A pressure washer is composed of five key components:
Water hose
This is a hose that connects to your main water supply and allows a constant stream of water to enter the machine.
Electric motor (or petrol engine)
Most pressure washers use an electric motor to power the system. However, some larger models are powered by compact petrol engines, although these are typically only used in industrial settings and must not be used indoors. The power supply drives the pump which pressurises the water.
Water pump
The electric motor or petrol engine drives the pump to a high speed, raising the water pressure to around 110-120 bar. At this point, a pressure switch is activated inside the pump that turns off the electric motor, leaving high-pressure water inside the pump.
High-pressure hose
This is the hose that runs from the washer to the nozzle. It needs to be a high-pressure hose because an ordinary tube wouldn’t withstand the high pressure of the water flowing through it. High-pressure hoses are typically reinforced with wire mesh and two layers of high-density plastic to ensure the high-pressure water can flow through safely.
Nozzle
Pressing the trigger on the handgun opens a valve that allows water to flow through the high-pressure hose to the nozzle. The nozzle you use on the pressure washer will determine the type of water jet style that is created. A wide nozzle head will give a wider spray with lower pressure, whereas a narrow nozzle will increase the pressure but reduce the spray area. Narrow nozzles are ideal for tackling specific areas of stubborn dirt.
What is the difference between a pressure washer and a power washer?
Pressure and power washers are two different pieces of cleaning equipment that often get confused. The main difference between the two is that power washers use heat, whereas pressure washers only use cold water.
The additional heat can give power washers a higher cleaning performance in some scenarios, but the machine itself is much bulkier and uses more energy than a pressure washer.
How to maintain a pressure washer
Here are a few key tips for looking after your pressure washer and extending its lifespan:
- Always make sure the nozzle is locked in place before use
- Keep the nozzle open while the unit is running
- Don’t run the pressure washer without an adequate amount of water
- Always turn the power off and unplug the unit after use
- Drain all excess water from the unit before putting it away
- Store your pressure washer in a dry and sheltered area
We also recommend getting professional maintenance from an experienced provider such as Alpha Power Cleaners.
Find out more about pressure washers here.
Alpha Power Cleaners is a leading provider of commercial cleaning equipment and equipment maintenance. We offer pressure washers to customers across the UK on flexible hire contracts. Choose from hot pressure washers, cold pressure washers and static pressure washers depending on your needs. Whichever you choose, we’ll deliver it to you with same-day or next-day delivery so that you can get cleaning right away.
Contact our team for a free quote.
