power washer

[mbpcb 55]

I'm in the market for a residential power washer.  Going to use to keep the siding and brick on the house clean as well as the concrete/stone patio and wood deck.  been surfing amazon and seeing good reviews for Ryobi and Sun Joe.  Any personal recommendations here?  gas vs electric?  what PSI?  engine size? 

[Jkwellborn 6896]

You could probably get away with electric. Normally get more psi with gas powered ones though.

Have you thought about renting one for what you have in mind? Most people don’t use them that often and they take up room, carbs foul, stuff like that.

[Dewey 3315]

Rent one, wash the house once or twice a year. Gas power washer... power washing sucks for what it's worth. You get wet, the area you are working gets muddy, all the filth you spray off the building gets on you, dragging hoses around. That said, there are guys who will do it.for you$, roll up with a trailer and.ladders and knock it out.

But yes, if you want to do.yourself, rent and gas power. Let the machine be someone else's problem

[GRHorn 105]

I agree with these posters.  I’ve had one for three or four years.  Carb repaired, even after using proper fuel, happened again because I didn’t use it enough.  Rented one the last time from Hom Depot and felt great just dropping it back off. 

[woohorn 1131]

Count on a couple of hundred for accessories (revolving head/edger/etc.) if you want to be efficient.

The Costco gas Subarui is a great deal when it goes on sale ($299 regular I think).

[Jerry Callo 8848]

Highly recommend Honda.  Bought a Honda in 2004, used in in 2004 and 2005, then sat without use until 2017.  Added gas and it started on the first pull.

[Mother mopar 3348]

Highly recommend Honda.  Bought a Honda in 2004, used in in 2004 and 2005, then sat without use until 2017.  Added gas and it started on the first pull.

Bought a used honda 7 yrs back. 3200psi, starts on the 1st pull runs like a champ. I use my power washer as a sand blaster too, especially for car parts. Just takes a $40 adapter kit and you're on your way. Definitely worth the $350; one of my better finds on craigslist.

[phdhorn 6224]

Have a Blue Clean  1,900 PSI electric.  These things don't last forever but mine's doing ok.

You don;t want much less than a 1,600 PSI, trust me on this.

[deft 6901]

Fuck electric. If money is an issue, pick up a gas unit on Craigslist and aim for 2500psi or more.

Don’t pay somebody to do it. It’s very cathartic and usually the kids and wife run away from the noise and over spray.

[solamente73 1132]

https://www.amazon.com/Sun-Joe-SPX3000-Pressure-14-5-Amp/dp/B00CPGMUXW?ref=ast_p_ep

$149 Prime, 2030psi electric.  Use it all the time on the decks, planters wall, outdoor kitchen, walkways, etc.  Very useful to deep-clean a high chair, too.

[Newdoc 3465]

On 8/19/2018 at 10:42 AM, solamente73 said:

Very useful to deep-clean a high chair, too.

Do you take the kid out of the chair prior to power wash? Because two birds one stone is what I’m thinking.

[Mez2 4037]

If you're in Houston you can borrow mine. Hell, if anyone is in Houston you can borrow mine

[hornbri 1474]

On 8/18/2018 at 2:28 PM, woohorn said:

The Costco gas Subarui is a great deal when it goes on sale ($299 regular I think).

This is the one I have and used it for the last couple years. I really like it and has been very reliable. 

You do need to check accessories out. The rotating head is the best thing I have bought so far. Really speeds up the work. 

[deft 6901]

Yes the sidewalk/driveway attachment is a must buy. Shaved hours off the work load.

[horn4life 3819]

Tet a gas one with more than 3000 psi for what you want to do.  You can get by with a smaller psi but that means you are cleaning in a 3 inch swath, instead of maybe a 6 inch swath.  I will say that the one attachment that makes doing flat surfaces like cement and decks MUCH, MUCH easier more consistent and faster0-https://www.homedepot.com/p/Homelite-15-in-EZ-Clean-Gas-Surface-Cleaner-AEZ31023/203105727

Ryobi makes a smaller $30 version, but I bought this one for $69 kicks ass and saves a shit ton of time.  Almost more importantly this attachment prevents the streaking from uneven whand movement.  This is ESPECIALLY important for wood decks where the wood can be soft and the washer can scour the surface.  Also keeps the mess and overspray way down.