Three Advantages of Gasoline Pressure Washers

Though there are advantages to any pressure washer, there are a few specific advantages to using gasoline pressure washers. But first ... why use one at all? It is interesting to contemplate that there are many things that can be washed with water alone if it is put under enough pressure. Also, more water is not necessary, as a mater of fact, sometimes less water is used. For example, let's say your outdoor faucet pumps 8 gallons of water through your hose. If you place a simple spray nozzle on your hose, the nozzle releases the water under greater pressure by streaming it through smaller holes in the nozzle, and it only uses 5 gallons of water per minute. You not only get the advantages of the pressure, you also conserve water. So watering your garden with a nozzle is a great option.

But the pressure of a garden sprayer is not enough to clean anything, it just spreads the dirt around a bit. That is where pressure washers come into play. Basically, a pressure washer consists of a pump and a motor. In the example above, the nozzle increases the pressure of the water by about four times, from 10 PSI (pounds per square inch) to 40  PSI. A residential pressure washer can produce pressures up to 5000 PSI, and commercial ones can produce more, obviously not a toy. Most residential units are either gas or electric.

There are many benefits to either type of washer, so you have to decide which will work best for you. Here are three benefits to gasoline pressure washers:

1. Gas powered units can deliver a lot more PSI than an electric unit. A typical residential electric unit will deliver up to 2000 PSI, but that is where gasoline pressure washers begin. From there they go on to deliver up to 5000 PSI.
   

   
   But PSI is not the only way to measure the capacity of a power washer, you should also consider how much water is pumped through the unit each minute, or the Gallons per Minute (GPM). If you multiply the PSI by the GPM, then you get a washers total Cleaning Units (CU), the best way to measure the effectiveness and cleaning power of a washer. This is best understood by imagining that you have two pressure washers that have the same PSI (pressure). However, if the second washer pumps twice as much water through in a minute than the first washer, it will clean twice as fast.
   

   
   Generally speaking, a unit with higher PSI will have a higher GPM, but not always (remember the sprayer nozzle), so make sure you check both ratings when looking at comparable gasoline pressure washers.
   
   

2. Because of the higher PSI, gas run units are better for cleaning larger surface areas. An electric washer may be good for your car or boat, but if want to be cleaning your house, driveway, or deck, then you need a gas power washer.
   


3. Since no power outlet is needed, gasoline pressure washers are more mobile. It is perfect for outdoor use, no extension cords are needed to reach an outlet. Or worse yet, a cord to maneuver out of your way every time you change positions. If you are a klutz, there is no cord to trip over or get tangled up in!
   

If you can relate to and see the need of these three benefits, then gasoline pressure washers may be a better fit for your needs than an electric unit.