How to Increase GPM on Pressure Washer
Is your commercial pressure washer taking longer to clear stains than you’d like? Learn how to increase GPM on pressure washers to reduce costly time delays!
GPM, or gallons per minute, measures the volume of water coming from your power washer’s stream. The higher the amount, the easier it is to remove surface stains.
Can you change the GPM on a pressure washer? If you already have a machine, you may or may not be able to get the GPM you need to tackle more demanding jobs.
That’s why making the right decision when you buy is crucial.
We’ll explore a few tips and tricks for boosting your current machine’s power. But if you need to rent or buy a new machine for your business, you’ll need an expert’s recommendation.
Our team at RJP Hotsy, the #1 home for commercial pressure washers in New Jersey, is here to help. We’ll analyze your current machine and recommend the best action to eliminate those stubborn spots from your property.
Overview of Gallons Per Minute (GPM) in Pressure Washing
Before we dive into how to increase GPM on pressure washers, we’ll need to establish how it works.
So, what does GPM mean on a pressure washer? Can you change the GPM on a pressure washer, or is it a fixed value?
GPM stands for gallons per minute, which indicates the volume of water flowing from your machine. In effect, the higher your machine’s GPM, the faster you can clean large surface areas.
GPM can be modified to an extent. Upgrades to the internal parts, nozzle changes, and water supply modifications can shift the volume in small amounts.
However, if you need to jump from, say, 2 GPM to 8 GPM, you’d need a different machine entirely.
GPM is one-half of the pressure washer sizing equation, along with PSI (pounds per square inch). Figuring out how much pressure washer PSI and GPM to use will determine your ability to remove tough, embedded stains.
Even with a high PSI machine with powerful water flow, you won’t be able to eradicate stains without the water volume to carry them away. GPM gives you the speed and versatility to tackle all types of cleaning jobs that can arise on your property.
Can You Change the GPM on a Pressure Washer?
The focus of this guide is to show you how to increase GPM on pressure washers. But to do so, it’s fair to ask if it’s possible.
The answer is–it depends. Yes, you can make minor tweaks to GPM by replacing internal parts. However, at a certain point, in-house DIY replacements will become costly and wasteful compared to buying or renting a new machine outright.
Why Would You Want to Adjust Pressure Washer GPM?
Determining what size pressure washer you need is vital to the success of your cleaning operations. Power washers are versatile but aren’t quite one-size-fits-all for every stain on your property.
Some surfaces, like vehicles, wooden patios, and siding, require a delicate touch. Other stains, like oil, grease, and rust, require incredibly high GPM (and PSI) to penetrate and lift them.
For example, you would need at least 4 GPM to pressure wash concrete surfaces, with values up to 8 being reasonable. The higher your GPM, the faster your cleaning times. That means less money spent on labor costs and less downtime for your operations.
Learning how to increase GPM on pressure washers gives you the flexibility to tackle every type of debris on your property.
Factors That Impact GPM in Pressure Washing
The GPM on your machine isn’t a simple dial that you turn. The effective water volume is influenced by several factors, some of which may be out of your control.
The pump on your power washer is the primary GPM controller. Generally, the smaller your pump, the lower your effective GPM, though there are exceptions depending on your specific brand.
Water temperature is another factor. With hot vs cold water pressure washers, heated models have more effective cleaning power, giving you ‘extra’ GPM regarding cleaning speed.
Similarly, when it comes to electric vs gas pressure washers, gas models have slightly more power than their counterparts.
However, with both temperature and engine type, these differences can be negligible in the overall equation for GPM.
Another factor to consider is the nozzle on your machine. It can focus your spray in a narrow or wide pattern, altering the effective GPM emitted by your power washer.
Limitations in Elevating Pressure Washer GPM
You can’t simply bump up your GPM as high as possible and call it a day.
First, your pump effectively caps the maximum possible GPM. Without replacing it (or buying a new machine), you can only squeeze so much juice out of it before there’s nothing left.
Trying to blow past those limits will only lead to pump failure, engine damage, and even dangerous malfunctions that can put you and surrounding employees in harm’s way.
To avoid wasting time troubleshooting pressure washers, it’s best to learn how to increase GPM on pressure washers. Do it within your machine’s limits, and don’t be afraid to rent or buy a new model if you need to.
How to Increase GPM on Pressure Washer
Can you change the GPM on a pressure washer?
Absolutely! There are a few ways that you can do so within reason. Just don’t expect to make drastic jumps like 2 GPM to 10 GPM–at a certain point, you’ll hit an upper limit.
Upgrading the Pump
The pump is your machine’s heart and soul. Upgrading that heart will increase water volume and may give you the slight push you need to tackle tough stains.
You need to find a pump that matches the specifications of your engine. This may limit your options, so it’s essential to get an expert’s opinion.
Sometimes, you may not need a complete replacement–upgrading the pump can be as simple as swapping out a few internal parts on your existing one for extra efficiency.
Adjusting Nozzles
Nozzles are among the most vital power washing accessories. They attach to the tip of your pressure washing wand and direct the water spray.
There are essential nozzles ranging from 0 degrees to 60 or even higher in some cases. Wider nozzles let you cover larger surface areas with slightly higher GPM, though at the cost of lower pressure.
Alternatively, upgrades like turbo nozzles let you maintain the power of a 0-degree angle nozzle while still giving you wide coverage. This may help you mitigate some of the effects of a narrow-angle nozzle to ensure you have the GPM you need.
Altering Water Supply Sources
Your water supply will also affect the volume emanating from your machine. Water tanks, especially gravity-assisted options like trailer-based vats, offer more GPM than simple garden hoses or hydrants.
Adding an Auxiliary Pump or Booster
Auxiliary pumps expand your existing setup. They come in the form of pre-pumps or parallel pumps. Pre-pumps sit between your water source (the hose or tank) and the main pump on your machine. This helps facilitate water flow into your machine, ensuring everything remains constant.
Parallel pumps involve two pumps working together. You place them inside your machine where the original pump was, and they give you extra water output.
It’s not quite double the cleaning power in either case, but both can effectively increase your GPM, potentially helping you avoid the need for a new purchase.
Water booster pumps are another option. They directly increase the pressure and volume of your primary pump. However, you need to be careful not to overclock your machine too intensely–it could lead to damage if you aren’t quite sure what you’re doing.
Note that all of these options add to the bulk of your machine. This could increase your pressure washer storage needs unless you already use a trailer, so adjust accordingly.
Getting an expert’s opinion is critical. They’ll be able to tell you whether those tweaks can help or if you require a new machine.
Whether you’re looking for tips or plan on leasing, buying, or renting a pressure washer, you’ll need that reliable team. Thankfully, the #1 home for repairs, sales, and commercial pressure washer leasing in NJ is right in front of you at RJP Hotsy.
Upgrade to a Higher GPM Pressure Washer at RJP Hotsy!
RJP Hotsy New Jersey is the state’s only authorized retail shop for the industry’s #1 brand. With over 50 years of experience, Hotsy has been the trusted brand for millions of companies worldwide.
Our team at RJP Hotsy has helped Jersey business owners streamline their cleaning operations. From major brands like Penske, Ryder, and the Phillies to small mom-and-pop shops, we have everything you need to say goodbye to pesky stains.
We’ll be your business partners to help you find the perfect solution. We offer sales and leasing from our inventory of Hotsy products, along with a comprehensive repair shop. We will guide you towards whichever option gets you the GPM you need.
If you were wondering where to rent a pressure washer to boost that GPM quickly and affordably, we are the top home for commercial pressure washer rental in NJ. Our friendly team will make the entire experience a breeze, showing you how to rent a pressure washer, how much pressure washer rentals cost, and how to set up drop-off and pick-up.
We’re also the best place to find commercial pressure washer trailers in NJ for large-scale projects. Rather than creating a DIY pressure washer trailer, you can rely on our team to mount a pressure washer to a trailer, plumb a pressure washer trailer, and other custom builds to fit your needs.
Getting the right GPM is only half the battle. Our shop also offers the best pressure washer chemicals. Our team will walk you through how to use the soap dispenser on a pressure washer and what soap to use for the best results.
If you do decide to upgrade your pumps or just need to give your machine a check-up, you can rely on our team. We’re considered the premier location for commercial pressure washer repair in NJ, with a comprehensive inspection process and speedy service.
We’ve mastered how to repair pressure washers while keeping pressure washer repair costs affordable. We’ll even help you maintain a pressure washer with regular inspections to ensure you never miss a beat.
Final Thoughts on How to Increase GPM on Pressure Washer
GPM is a crucial part of power washing. Without significant water volume, you’ll never be able to wash away those tough stains.
While you can make minor tweaks yourself, like changing nozzles or the water supply, the best way to increase GPM is to rely on the experts.
Our team at RJP Hotsy will recommend the best course of action for your needs. We’ve got you covered, from parts upgrades to new purchases and rentals.
Check out the #1 home for commercial hot water pressure washers in New Jersey and commercial cold water pressure washers in New Jersey today to learn more!
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