A pressure washer, just like the name depicts, is a machine that increases water pressure from its normal pressure used in households to over 1000 PSI (Pounds per Square Inch).
These incredible machines are gradually becoming an essential for all households.
Cleaning is perhaps one of the most boring chores one has to perform at home, from cleaning driveways to walls that need scrubbing or even abandoned dingy garages.
Even worse, the chores always recur because dirt has to be cleaned. Pressure washers will not only speed up your cleaning but also make it fun.
This article will take you through how to set up your new gas pressure washer or your new electric pressure washer.
Gas and Electric pressure washers
There are essentially two types of pressure washers. Whether you have a light duty or even one of the most powerful electric pressure washers, these are simply connected to a outlet while gas pressure washers are powered by gasoline, need oil and maintenance.
The setup procedure for both is basically the same because they work in a comparable manner.
Electric washers can be used anywhere, unlike their gas counterparts. Because of emissions, it is advisable that gas washers are used in open spaces to allow air circulation.
Setting up the pressure washer
Setting up your washer requires you to follow a few basic steps. Remember the effectiveness of your machine depends on the accuracy of the setup.
Any lapses may lower or raise the pressure beyond the levels needed. It may also make the machine completely fail.
To set up your electric pressure washer, follow these simple steps:
- Connect the high-pressure hose (usually comes with the machine) to the machine.
Just above the base of the machine, there is a port for the hose. The pipe should fit in without any difficulties. Make sure the grip is tight to avoid any leakages when water is running.
- Attach the garden hose
Unlike the pressure hose, the garden hose does not usually come with the machine. Any standardized hose should fit into the extra port.
The port is also the inlet to the water chamber inside the machine. From the garden hose, water will be supplied through the port into the water compartment in the machine.
- Set up the spray gun
The spray gun is usually unattached to the machine to save on space during shipping. It is long with a nozzle at the end.
The other end, just like a normal gun, has a trigger that is pulled to release water. It also has interchangeable tips to release water in different volumes and pressure when cleaning.
- Connect the electric power washer to a power source
Plug in the machine to a nearby power source. If you are working indoors, wall sockets will be ideal for this.
You can import power when working outdoor using power extension cables that match the power requirements of the machine. Make sure it’s getting power.
- Turn on the water
Turn on the water and fill the water compartment inside the machine to capacity before you power it on.
Working without a constant supply of water may damage the pump because of air inflow. Once the machine is filled up, you can start cleaning.
- Power on the pressure washer
Power on the pressure washer using the power button and you can start cleaning by aiming the pressure gun towards surfaces that you want to be cleaned.
Pulling the trigger will release high-pressure water that will stop immediately once you release the trigger. You can control the pressure from the many interchangeable tips, as well as the distance you keep from what you are cleaning such as applying a liquid wax to your car with a pressure washer.
Setting up gas washer
To set up your gas washer, follow these simple steps:
- Check the oil
Machines that are powered by gas use oil to run smoothly. It is important that before any other set up, the pressure washer pump oil levels are checked. Use the dipstick usually kept in the oil tank and add oil if levels are low.
- Fill the fuel tank
Unlike oil, new machines do not come with filled fuel tanks. Since the machine is powered by gas, fill the fuel tank with gasoline. Most of the small gas pressure washers use gasoline. Avoid any spillages around the tank.
- Set up the spray gun
Just like in an electric pressure washer, the spray gun is usually unassembled to save on space during shipping. It is long with a nozzle at the end.
The other end, just like a normal gun, has a trigger that is pulled to release water. It also has interchangeable tips to release water in different volumes and pressure when cleaning.
- Set up the high-pressure hose
Attach one end of the hose to the machine and the other to the spray gun. Make sure both ends fit well and the grip holds firmly.
Remember water will flow with a very high pressure and any lose spots might leak if the grip is not tight.
- Connect the garden hose and turn on the water
Attach the hose to the water inlet that leads to the compartment inside the pressure washer. Make sure the water supply is uninterrupted to avoid damaging the pump.
- Power on the washer
Use the cord on the side of the machine to trigger the engine. Once the engine has run for some time, hold the trigger on the pressure gun and aim the gun to surfaces you want to be cleaned.
Pulling the trigger will release high-pressure water that will stop immediately you release it. You can control the pressure from the many interchangeable tips.
Conclusion
We all love clean surfaces because we feel good about them. There is, however, no fun in cleaning dirty surfaces because this consumes time and energy.
With pressure washers, we can keep our surroundings clean and also reduce the water we use. The pressure washer machine has revolutionized the trends in cleaning and not only has it made it easy, but also efficient and fast.
