Pressure washers

What are the things to look for when selecting a pressure washer? I need it for domestic, not commercial use. All help thankfully received.

I know a bit about these having been in the game for 25+ years.

Most important thing is the motor. Cheap machines use universal motors, worst we ever tested had a run life of less than 10 hours. Cheap machines average about 12-14 hours.

Go for an induction motored machine. Heavier, quieter and you are looking at 50 -80 hours run life.

Next thing is the pump head. Very cheap machines have 'engineering plastic' pump heads. Don't last very long at all and tend to overheat badly. Alluminium is OK, brass is best but only found on up market machines. Again durability.

Sneaky manufacturers sometimes use brass inlet & outlet fittings which make you think the whole pump head is brass.

The pressure hose is next in line, check out the cost of replacements - some are close to the cost of a new machine. Some machines have special pressure hoses that fit inside the trigger gun, so you have to buy replacements from them. Some use screw threads which means any hydralic hose shop can sell you a pirate replacement.

Don't believe any of the figures quoted! For example, 120 bar usually means the pressure at which the pump explodes! Small print will quote the actual working pressure of 90 bar.

Most DIY machines have very low water flow rates. Don't go for less that 6 litres/min or 360 litres/hour - it won't wash anything away - just splatter it about.

Motor size in watts is a fair guide for pressure washers with induction motors.

Can't advise on specific makes, they are all much the same. Very much a "get what you pay for" market.

If you can find an induction motor/ alluminium head machine at a reasonable price with a two or three year warranty go for it.

Dave