Pressure washers

A pressure washer, often referred to as a power washer, is actually quite a simple machine, as it consists of:

• A pump, which is the main component because it allows for a powerful, high pressure water jet, which can be either hot or cold, according to the machine model.
• A motor, which powers the machine's high pressure pump and can be either electric or combustion.
• A water feed tube to connect the pressure washer to the water supply, which usually also has a filter to protect the machine from impurities.
• A high pressure tube, which must be reinforced to withstand the pressure of the outgoing water.
• Cleaning accessories, which change according to the type of job and dirt to be cleaned. Usually, they consist of a spray gun, wand and nozzles, which can be interchangeable, as there are various types. There are also specific pressure washer accessories for certain applications, like a floor brush.
• The body can be standard, with a casing, or casing-free, like the body seen on the Comac EM (Easy Maintenance) versions.
• Wheels, which are usually large in order to facilitate the transport of the power washer.

The way a pressure washer works is relatively simple: the water arrives from the supply system through the connection tube. It is then pressurized by the pump, which is in turn activated by the motor. Subsequently, the water is pushed into the high pressure tube to arrive in the spray gun and the wand, lastly exiting through the nozzle (or other accessory).
It's easy to activate the high pressure jet, as it's activated and deactivated by pressing and releasing the trigger on the spray gun, which is clipped to the high pressure wand.

The first large distinction to be made on pressure washers is between those intended for home use (home & garden) and those for professional use. The former usually have a reduced flow rate and pressure level because they are suited to cleaning lighter and less caked on dirt. Professional pressure washers, in contrast, require higher power and therefore also components that are able to withstand greater pressure and extended, frequent uses. The second distinction to be made in terms of pressure washers concerns the water temperature that they use. There are cold pressure washers as well as hot pressure washers. Hot pressure washers are more suited for professional cleaning operations where it is also necessary to sanitize or remove highly resistant dirt, like oil or grease.
The power source used also defines the type of pressure washer: there are versions with electric motors, which are usually less powerful but easier to handle, and versions with combustion engines, which have a higher performance but are more difficult to move.

Pressure cleaning is a method applied to many situations. With cold water, a pressure washer is used to clean indoor spaces, like garages, but also outdoor spaces, balconies, floors, walls, tents, cars, bicycles, garden furniture, etc. In contrast, a hot pressure washer can be used to clean caked on and resistant dirt that is even oily or greasy. It is therefore a useful tool for degreasing operations.

Pressure washers can be used with any type of detergent explicitly created for these machines. This is because there are specific detergents for pressure washers that allow for dirt to be removed quickly and efficiently. In addition to checking that the detergent is suited for use with pressure washers, it's important to choose the formula that is best suited to the dirt to be cleaned, as every surface requires a different solution.

Like all cleaning machines, the pressure washer is based on the use of water. Even if it might not seem like it, in reality a pressure washer allows for the reduction of water consumption compared to manual cleaning systems, thanks to the power of its water jet. In fact, a pressure washer allows you to clean better and more quickly. If you then choose the right accessories and specific detergents for the type of dirt you are cleaning, the pressure washer will be even more efficient and therefore less excessive in terms of water consumption.