Sometimes when looking at pressure cleaners you can find there is a large range to choose from. To choose the right model for your application is very important, therefore the more information you have when purchasing, the better.

The first thing to look at is the water flow (referred to as liters per minute or LPM) the machine pumps and this is very important. The reason for this is the more liters per minute govern the time it takes to do the job, for example using a garden hose compared to a fire hose for washing down. This is why the liters per minute (or LPM) is so important.

The higher the water flow the better cleaning effect and end result you will get as water is the element that actually does the cleaning. Many people are of the general belief that the larger the pressure (PSI) is the better the machine is which will give a better cleaning performance, however this simply is not the case. Pressure cleaners delivering 10 liters of water per minute at an operating pressure of 1600 PSI will clean a lot better in less time while achieving greater results than a machine delivering 7 liters a minute at 2000 PSI. The story with a pressure cleaner is really about the water flow rate.

The second element to look at in combination with flow rate is the pressure which is needed to remove whatever it is you’re cleaning e.g dirt, grease, mould. Whilst we’ve talked about flow rate being important, it is the combination of flow rate and pressure which gives you the results you are wanting. A pressure cleaner delivering a flowrate of 10 liters per minute at 1500 PSI will not clean as well as pressure cleaners delivering 10 liters at 2000 PSI which is different again to the previously mentioned example machine delivering a flowrate of 7 liters at 2000 PSI.

The next thing to consider is how much work you have for the high pressure cleaner for example cleaning around the house car and boat or in a business using the pressure washer three or four hours a day. This is important because when looking at the pressure cleaners there are a lot of differences in construction.

Typically, there are two types of motors which are used on most machines. There is the brush motor and the induction motor. Brush motors are found in cleaners which should be used for light application and not be run for hours on end. If you are looking to use a machine for heavy application, an induction motor is a must.

Pump construction should also be considered when looking at machines. There are generally three different types of pump constructions found within the industry.
Constructions to consider are

Motor type and size e.g brush motor or induction motor
Brush motor for small domestic use
Induction motor for more heavier usage e.g large concrete areas and industrial use

Pump construction
Fibre anti lime – light domestic use
Alluminium – heavier usage
Brass – industrial

Be sure to buy the right machine for the right application not just on price.

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