While cleaning surfaces in and around your home, you may decide between pressure washing and power washing and wonder, ‘ Are those the same thing?’ Even though these two cleaning tools may appear similar at first, there is a distinction between them.
Understanding Pressure Washers
A pressure washer is a cleaning equipment that uses high pressure and cold water to clean surfaces such as walls, roofs, and sidings. It operates on the principle of a pump that increases the pressure of water from a garden hose to provide a strong jet that is effective in cleaning tasks.
Pressure washers come in different electric and gas types and pressure ranges. For general cleaning of homes, a pressure washer with a PSI of between 1,500 and 2,500 is adequate.
How much is a pressure washer?
Pressure washers are available in different brands, features, and power, and thus, their cost varies. A simple electric pressure washer suitable for home use to clean different items can be as cheap as $100 or as expensive as $300. Electric pressure washers are cheaper than gas-powered ones and range from $50 to $200, while professional gas-powered pressure washers’ cost between $300 and $1000.
Understanding Power Washers
A power washer is somewhat like a pressure washer, employing a stream of water to wash surfaces. However, the major difference is in the water temperature. Power washers employ hot water, which is usually between 140°F and 190°F (60°C to 88°C), to deal with grease, oil, and other substances that cold water cannot.
Since heating water involves more than just pumping water through a pump, power washers are more costly and larger than pressure washers. They are also less frequently used in homes and are more often used in commercial or industrial buildings.
When to Use a Pressure Washer
Pressure washers are very useful cleaning equipment for many household chores. Here are some common applications:
- Cleaning of decks, patios, and driveways
- Cleaning of siding by washing off dirt, grime, and mold.
- Washing fences and any furniture that is placed outside the house.
- Car washing, truck washing, and boat washing
- Stripping loose paint
Choosing Between a Pressure Washer and a Power Washer
There is no difference between a pressure washer and a power washer; it all depends on the type of cleaning you want. If you are mostly interested in a device that would help you deal with general household cleaning tasks such as washing your car or cleaning your deck, then a pressure washer is ideal for you. It is cheaper, convenient to use, and ideal for most home cleaning tasks.
But if you have really dirty jobs that need hot water, such as washing grease stains on your driveway or cleaning a restaurant, a power washer will be more appropriate. Just be ready to pay more and get a more complicated device.
Bring back your curb appeal with Curb Appeal Pressure Wash!
Tired of dirt, grime, and mildew bringing down the look of your home? Curb Appeal Pressure Wash LLC offers a variety of pressure washing, power washing, and soft washing services. Help maintain and clean your home’s exterior and restore its beauty. We use eco-friendly cleaning solutions and are experienced professionals who will do the job right at competitive prices.
