How to Choose a Pressure Washer: Buying Guide to Choosing the Right Machine

Choosing a pressure washer isn’t a decision to make lightly. The difference between choosing the right pressure washer and an inferior option will mean hours of your time and effort saved (or lost).

We’ll show you how to choose a pressure washer based on your business needs. Our pressure washer buying guide will cover everything from water temperature and PSI to soaps and attachments to help you eliminate those stains faster than ever before.

Our team at RJP Hotsy has helped thousands of local Jersey businesses learn how to choose a good pressure washer, and we’d love to assist you the same way. We offer sales, leasing, and commercial pressure washer rental in NJ to help you eradicate those stains regardless of budget.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Pressure Washer

First, why is learning how to choose a pressure washer important? Isn’t it as simple as choosing a pressure washer and letting it do the rest?

Power washers are powerful tools. Learning how to pick a pressure washer for your business is essential to ensuring safety and maximizing cleaning results.

How Pressure Washers Work

If you’re used to manual scrubbing or harsh chemical cleaners, the idea of a machine that can safely clear stains in just a few minutes may seem too good to be true.

As such, some businesses downplay the benefits of choosing a pressure washer. However, understanding how these machines work is crucial to learning how to choose a good pressure washer.

Pressure washers use a motor to power a pump. This pump forces water through a nozzle at high speeds. Even low-power pressure washers have 2 to 10 times the force a standard garden hose does.

Pressure washers are also far more energy efficient. Even if you choose a high-volume pressure washer, it will still use around 50 to 75% less than most garden hoses.

When paired with an appropriate detergent, high-power water streams will carry away stains.

Matching Power and Purpose

With an in-depth pressure washer buying guide, you can use a suitable machine for your typical stains. Learning how to pick a pressure washer is a delicate balance. You need a machine powerful enough to deal with stains without using too much force and damaging the underlying surfaces.

As this guide teaches you how to choose a pressure washer, remember the types of stains you typically encounter.

Operational Efficiency and Cost

Another essential reason to learn how to choose a pressure washer is your bottom line. Power washers can save your business untold amounts of time and money.

Choosing a pressure washer to maximize efficiency starts with analyzing the stains themselves. Do you need plenty of gas or electricity to clear a large surface area? It might cost a small amount, but you’ll save money compared to spending labor hours on a team (or outsourcing entirely.

On the other hand, determining how to choose a good pressure washer for water efficiency is also essential. While every machine is more efficient than garden hoses, you still want to ensure your machine contains state-of-the-art parts to maximize your water costs.

You know this pressure washer buying guide isn’t something to brush over. Let’s help you analyze your business needs to get the best equipment.

How to Choose a Pressure Washer: Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing the Right Pressure Washer

Before you dive into this section on how to pick a pressure washer, make sure you have analyzed all of your needs. Survey your typical stains, access to nearby water sources, and the size and layout of your property.

Gas vs Electric Pressure Washers

Among the most vital metrics for choosing a pressure washer is engine type. Both sides of the electric vs gas pressure washer debate have their merits, so we’ll need to get detailed.

Gas-powered models have a reputation for being more powerful than electric models, though that gap has narrowed in recent years. Still, for the toughest stains, gas models are the best choice.

Additionally, gas machines are a better fit for outdoor jobs where mobility is required. They don’t need to be plugged into a wall or charged.

Electric models also have their place in this pressure washer buying guide. Unlike gas models, electric machines are eco-friendly, don’t emit fumes or excess noise, and tend to be lighter. This makes them an excellent fit for indoor jobs where noise pollution is a concern.

More on Mobility

We briefly touched on how to choose a pressure washer for mobility–gas models are usually the better choice.

But mobility isn’t just about cleaning large areas–it can sometimes include those small nooks and crannies on your property. Sometimes, a nimble electric model can be a better choice. Note that mobility can be modified by the attachments you choose, which we’ll cover in a later section.

The opposite end of the mobility spectrum is a pressure washer trailer. They are created by mounting a pressure washer to a trailer and adding plumbing to ensure a water supply.

Trailers are an excellent choice for large commercial properties, especially those without a reliable water source.

If you have questions or are interested in renting or buying commercial pressure washer trailers in NJ, contact our team at RJP Hotsy! We’ll save you the energy of creating a DIY pressure washer trailer or learning how to plumb a pressure washer trailer, as our custom builds can give you all the mobility and accessories you need to tackle any job.

The Role of Water Temperature

When choosing a pressure washer, remember about water temperature. Selecting between hot and cold water pressure washers will directly affect your ability to clean.

Cold water pressure washers are versatile enough to deal with general stains like dirt, mud, and grime. But the cold temperature isn’t enough against tougher stains like grease, oil, and rust.

Hot water gives the stream extra power to eliminate those types of debris.

Don’t just buy a hot-water pressure washer without weighing your options. They tend to be more expensive and require extra upkeep.

If you need more help choosing between commercial hot water pressure washers in New Jersey and commercial cold water pressure washers in New Jersey, ask our team at RJP Hotsy for assistance. We’ll help you determine the best fit and even show you how to maintain your chosen model.

Picking the Perfect PSI and GPM

When choosing a pressure washer, the next question is: what size pressure washer do you need?

Size is determined by two factors: PSI and GPM. PSI and GPM on a pressure washer stand for pounds per square inch and gallons per minute. Simply put, they represent the force and volume of your water stream.

So, how much pressure washer PSI and GPM do you need?

For most commercial projects, PSI ranges from 1,000 to over 4,000. GPM is generally between 1 and 10.

Too little force and you won’t clean the stains; too much and you’ll damage the surface. Similarly, the stains won’t lift away without suitable water volume, but with too much, you’re costing yourself on your water bill.

Build Quality and Durability

When you’re learning how to choose a pressure washer, you intend to find a machine to help you take on all tough stains. You don’t want your machine to break down on you at the first sign of trouble.

Look for machines from trusted brands known for their industrial-grade machines. Research the quality of the internal pumps and motor parts. If those internal cogs can withstand a beating, you’ll have a reliable machine to eliminate dirt and debris by your side.

Other Features to Look for

Choosing a pressure washer should make your life easier.

Look for machines with variable PSI and GPM settings. This will allow you to tackle many jobs without renting new machines.

Finding a model with an onboard soap tank is ideal, too–it will save you time and energy refilling your soap.

Cost Considerations

It’s fun to read this pressure washer buying guide and want a machine with all the bells and whistles. But you must keep your balance sheet in mind.

At the same time, you don’t want to go as cheap as you can. That’s a recipe for costly repairs and faulty parts.

Consider more than just the price tag. Look for energy costs, maintenance fees, downtime, and how much it costs to rent a pressure washer. Generally, if you buy from a reputable brand, you’ll get outstanding value.

Don’t Forget the Detergent

Determining what soap to use in a pressure washer is nearly as vital as the machine. Several soaps are on the market, each formulated for different stains.

We recommend Hotsy’s line of biodegradable soaps, which are safe to use and eco-friendly while packing a big punch to stains.

Do-it-all detergents like Hotsy Breakthrough or Blue Thunder best serve all-purpose jobs like pressure washing concrete. On the other hand, a degreaser like Hotsy’s Ripper line would be ideal for industrial machinery.

Accessories and Attachments

Accessories are your answer to the mobility issue. You can add several attachments to your machine, allowing you to reach difficult areas.

Surface cleaners and water brooms can clear large areas like parking lots, extension wands are helpful for high places like building exteriors, and foam cannons are excellent for cleaning vehicles.

Sourcing From a Trusted Brand

Don’t overcomplicate things by choosing a brand no one has ever heard of. Or worse–a brand that only has a negative reputation.

Trusted brands give you peace of mind when acquiring your machine. You know you won’t have to worry about costly repairs or results. You can rely on the word of thousands of businesses who trust those brands daily. Trusted brands also have comprehensive warranties, repair centers, and knowledge to make cleaning a breeze.

Does it Make Sense to Rent, Lease, or Buy?

So, is leasing, buying, or renting a pressure washer the best option for you?

The answer depends on your needs. Buying is a fantastic choice for long-term use, especially if you have a large commercial property to clean.

On the other hand, rentals are an excellent option if you don’t want to worry about learning how to repair pressure washers or pressure washer repair costs. You can rent your machine, clean the stains, and return it to the shop without fuss.

Leasing strikes a nice balance between the two–you get the cost savings of not buying outright but maintaining access to your machine when needed. However, it tends to be the costliest option.

As for where to rent a pressure washer? The #1 home for sales, rentals, and commercial pressure washer leasing in NJ? Here at RJP Hotsy!

Your Search for the Right Pressure Washer Ends at RJP Hotsy!

If you’re looking for battle-tested machines, you need a Hotsy power washer. At RJP Hotsy New Jersey, we are the only authorized retailer in the state.

We’ve helped thousands of local businesses with their cleaning needs, from the NJ Transit Authority to Penske. Our friendly and knowledgeable team has been selling and renting commercial pressure washers in New Jersey, and it’s fair to say we’ve seen it all before.

We can show you how to rent a pressure washer, how to use the soap dispenser on a pressure washer, pinpoint the perfect equipment for your job, and help you restore the surfaces on your property.

We’re also the best place to find commercial pressure washer repair in NJ. With our 24-point inspection process and expert pressure washer troubleshooting, you can rely on us rather than worrying about maintaining a pressure washer yourself.

We also carry the best pressure washer chemicals and accessories from Hotsy for sale or rent. When you partner with us, no stain will remain on your property.

Wrapping Up Our Pressure Washer Buying Guide

Choosing a pressure washer isn’t a simple decision. You need to weigh the specifics of your property, your budget, and the stains you encounter.

But with the proper guidance, you’ll eliminate stains on your property in the blink of an eye.

For help finding the best equipment, talk to our team at RJP Hotsy! As the only authorized retailer in New Jersey for Hotsy products, we know what it takes to eliminate stains, from lowly dirt to tough rust.

Stop by our New Egypt store or give us a call to learn more!