Pressure washers?

chickaroonee

Any tips please, I've never used one before.

Our front drive needs a very good clean, but am a bit confused as to whether to buy or rent a power washer. The prices to rent seem really high for a weekend, seems like I can buy one on ebay for approx £50 but not sure if that will be good enough? Is there a certain spec I need? Any tips gratefully received!

Vibrant

A lot depends on how dirty your drive is, what it is made of (concrete, block paving etc) and how big it is.

The cheaper pressure washers are not supposed to last long. But I have had mixed results, one cheapo from b&Q, the handle exploded on the first use, so I got my money back.
But I was given another cheap washer and have used that a lot, with no problems.
I also have a Wickes pressure washer:
http://www.wickes.co.uk/160Bar-Pressure-Washer/invt/186899
This has more power and seems well made, but I am on my second, as the first lost pressure after a few uses. (This washer needs a lot of putting together, as it almost comes in kit form!) I wouldn't buy this one again.

I have also used a small karcher, which was pretty good.

They all did the job, the more powerful one slightly quicker, but they all get there in the end. I would make sure that you have a turbo lance, as well as a normal fan type lance. The patio cleaning heads don't seem that good, as the electric pressure washers don't seem to have enough power (at least my Wickes one doesn't) to run them properly, although they do make cleaning more civilised.

Read this link for useful tips, info:
http://www.pavingexpert.com/powrwash.htm

p.s. Wear a pair of safety glasses

OddjobKIA

if your drive is solid then getting a washer with a rotating brush attachment might be a good idea...

have you considered getting someone in to do it..depending on size of drive buts lets say 1 1/2 car lengths= half day £60

chickaroonee

Thanks for the really helpful reply, it's block paved and looking quite rubbish just now! Hadn't even thought about safety glasses, cheers for that tip.

chickaroonee

OddjobKIA wrote: »

if your drive is solid then getting a washer with a rotating brush attachment might be a good idea...

have you considered getting someone in to do it..depending on size of drive buts lets say 1 1/2 car lengths= half day £60

May be a silly answer, but take it block paving is solid?

Well I suppose we could get someone in, my thoughts were if it was only a bit more money to buy one, we may as well do that?

wallbash

Also had the cheap wickes , ok for car , but not the paving .
Bought a small karcher, as Vibrant said , works well.
the patio gadget is a waste of space.
Buy not hire , you will use it .

My tip , waterproof trousers , after a while wet legs are no fun.

macman

chickaroonee wrote: »

May be a silly answer, but take it block paving is solid?

Well I suppose we could get someone in, my thoughts were if it was only a bit more money to buy one, we may as well do that?

The blocks are solid, but the sand they're bedded in is not. If you are too heavy handed you will have to brush new sand over them to fill the gaps.

wallbash

Problem with pavers and washers , budget to replace sand , dry kiln sand , brushed in when pavers are dry.


Looks like I have to type faster

chickaroonee

Which one of these would you recommend?
http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.100-8152.aspx

chickaroonee

Oh I see about the sand, thanks

lynzpower

Im glad this has been posted.

I was thinking of getting some sort of steam/ pressure washer for

patios
internal hard linoleum ( commercial floor)
commercial tiled walls

I was hoping to buy something that would remove- ie blast off - black mould/ moss.

Would anything here we are talking about actually do that job or do I need a different machine/tool?

Im so confused about this, would love any pointers.