As you shop for a pressure washer or any cordless tools for sale in Australia, it’s important to remember that the most expensive one isn’t necessarily the best for your needs. Here are 6 tips to help you select the right one.
- Determine Your Usage Needs
If you’re a homeowner who’s just looking to wash off the deck twice a year, a low-cost pressure washer will probably be perfect. But if you own and operate a contracting business and need something that can handle heavier use, you’ll want to spend some money on a unit that can stand up to wear and tear.
- Choose Between Gas and Electric
Most homeowners will find that an electric model is sufficient for their needs, but gas models offer more power and portability for heavier use or projects away from home. Remember: If you don’t have an outdoor outlet near where you’ll be working, you’ll need a generator or extension cords along with an electric model. Determine the amount of pressure and flow that is required to accomplish your desired task. Check out PSI (pounds per square inch) ratings, which is a measure of how much pressure a device can produce for effective cleaning. This number should be high enough to remove dirt but not so high as to damage surfaces when working around cars and boats or on home siding and roofs.
- Consider A Professional Model
If the machine will be used heavily, consider purchasing a professional model instead of a homeowner one. These machines are built with components that can withstand heavy wear and tear, meaning they last longer and offer better value over time. No matter what size unit you choose, make sure it has safety features like automatic shut-off in case of overheating, a low-pressure setting for delicate surfaces, and anti-tip protection to prevent users from being harmed by an unstable machine.
- What kind of pressure washer should you buy?
If you’re planning to use it mainly for car cleaning, choose a model with 1,000-1,800 PSI. For washing the deck and siding, 1,300-2,800 PSI will be enough. For heavy-duty projects such as cleaning oil stains on the driveway or stripping paint off the deck, you’ll need at least 2,800 PSI. The more powerful the washer is, the more expensive it gets. If you want to save a few bucks, choose a model that can handle several tasks: a light-duty machine for your car and a heavy-duty one for everything else.
- Is it electric or gas?
Every homeowner should have an electric pressure washer in their tool shed—they’re compact and quiet, and they don’t require any maintenance. They are best for small jobs around the house: washing cars or decks. What about bigger jobs? You may want to consider a gas pressure washer—they’re heavier but more powerful. These machines are made for serious commercial use—cleaning large driveways or sidewalks.
- Power rating
Make sure the power rating and flow rate of the machine are actually what you need. If you’re planning on using it for a couple small projects around the house, you can probably get by with a smaller unit than if you’re planning to clean your entire deck or driveway. Also remember that more power is not necessarily better! Too much pressure can cause damage to surfaces, like paint on wood or brittle masonry.