A pressure washer is a motorized hose pipe that uses a pump, which creates a high-pressure flow of water. It removes dirt more quickly and effectively than a scrubbing brush or wipes. A pressure washer generates its pressure by forcing water through a small hole.
The effectiveness of pressure washers depends on mainly two factors: GPM and PSI.
- Gallons per minute or GPM are the measure of water that flows through the nozzle gun.
- PSI or pounds per square inch is the water pressure per output.
The two are inversely related. A pressure washer with high PSI will have a lower GPM.
Pressure washers use much more pressure than a garden hose, making it quicker to remove grime and grease.
At first glance, you might think that pressure washing uses up a lot of water! In this article, we will explore this question in more detail.
How Much Water Does A Pressure Washer Use?
Pressure washers use a large volume of water per minute, but you should think about the total volume consumed. Since pressure washing cleans much more quickly, it uses much less water overall because the time needed for cleaning is much less.
However, this depends on the type of device as well. As a rule, the higher the water pressure, the more efficient the machine is, the quicker it cleans, and the lesser water is spent.
An average pressure washer uses around eight gallons of water. A pressure washer with five GPM can be called fairly efficient. A pressure washer with even higher pressure will have an even lower GPM.
On the other end, a garden hose gives about 10 PSI of pressure, and a hose and spray nozzle gets about 50 PSI. Some pressure washers can produce up to 2000 PSI!
This means they only use two to three gallons of water per minute, which is very efficient considering that cleaning time will be much lower than a normal garden hose.
As per some claims, a pressure washer can use up to 80% less water for the same task when used with a light detergent.
How Does A Pressure Washer Work
A pressure washer uses a smaller opening nozzle than a standard water hose. The water is mixed with chemicals, which increase its ability to break down grunge and grime. These two factors combine to give a powerful stream of water that rains down upon sticky dirt and quickly decimates it.
Once the grime’s grip on the surface to be cleaned loosens, it starts to flow away with the water.
The water from the pressure washer flows with force and can remove dirt, grime, and algae.
Since the pressure washer works at high energy, it uses less water overall, making it an eco-friendly cleaning way.
What Is The Cost Of Pressure Washing?
For washing a house with a pressure washer, the average cost ranges from $150to $400. A house driveway can cost from $125 to $250, and terraces may cost $250 to $450.
However, the prices depend on the cleaning chemicals required for the job to be done and the surface’s size.
Amount of Water Used For Cleaning A Car
Using an electric pressure washer with a PSI of 1750 and 1.6 gallons per minute, you will have 5% to 18% more cleaning power. Less than 68% water is being used compared to a standard garden hose.
Do pressure washer companies use their own water?
No, most of the pressure washer companies don’t carry their water. It depends on the work they need to do. Like for example, a mobile car wash company requires distilled water to achieve better cleaning results.
What Causes High Water Bills In Your House?
Generally, water use is higher during summers due to lawns’ watering, gardening, and pools. Here are a few things to look at if you get a bill higher than usual:
- Check For Leaks. Leaks anywhere in the house can waste gallons of water. It is essential to check your home for leaky faucets, toilets, or taps and irrigation lines.
- Toilet And Faucet Leaks. The common cause of high water bills is running water from the toilet. The continuous running of water can waste 200 gallons of water in a day. It’s essential to fix the toilet leak as soon as possible.
- Changes In Water Use. Did you water your lawn more than usual? Gardening the lawn more often can account for the high water bill.
- Underground Leaks. Underground leaks are harder to detect. You will discover it mostly from your water bill. Track how much water you use. It will help you analyze your water bill.
- Irrigation Leaks. Not all leaks occur inside the house. If you have an irrigation system, an open crack could allow water to leak. Looking up to these leaks can be a bit tricky. To spot these leaks, you will need to check the lusher grass areas than the surrounding.
- New Appliances Or Fittings. Your water use may change if you have installed any new fittings like a dishwasher or washing machine or a new showerhead. This leads to an increase in your water bill.
Benefits of Pressure Washers
Pressure Washers Save A Lot Of Time
Pressure washers take significantly less time than a water hose. For example, to clean a normal driveway takes about 20 minutes with a garden hose, while a pressure washer can do it in seconds. A garden hose cannot produce enough pressure to clean up stains such as oil spots and gum.
Pressure Washers Provide Better Cleaning
The steam from the pressure washer cleans quickly and easily. The dirt and grime get removed effectively, significantly lower time. The water used is reduced by up to 80%. Tons of water is saved, and it helps in better cleaning. No matter how stubborn the dirt is, with a high-pressure washer, it gets flushed away.
Why Should You Use A Pressure Washer?
Pressure washers are 50% more potent than a standard garden hose. A pressure washer helps wash your car, driveway, and other areas of your house quickly. The machine comes with different fitting according to the use. It ensures the right amount of pressure is used for various purposes.
Conclusion
Despite what our eyes tell us, sometimes the truth is not as obvious as we think it is. Pressure washing seems to use up a lot of water (all the noise and fury of pressure washing makes you think that way), but when you get into specifics, you understand that it uses much less water than a garden hose other cleaning mechanisms.
The higher the pressure washers PSI, the more efficient the washer is, and the less water is used overall.
