Power washer

[Deleted User]

Has anyone bought (or borrowed) a power washer? I'm thinking about buying one as our driveway and and flags have got really mucky. Am going to buy it 50/50 with a neighbour. But no idea how powerful a one we will need. Don't want to go for the cheapest and then find out that it's useless and we should have bought a more powerful one. Anyone any idea?
Thanks.

SplanK

I recently bought a Karcher K4 with the patio attachment after borrowing the MIL's Karcher K2 to do my patio this summer, worked really well.


After research, I ended up with the K4 compact over the cheaper K2 because the K4's motor is water cooled rather than air cooled (after a couple of hours semi-continual use, I could smell that the K2 was starting to overheat!). I have seen some complaints regarding the Karcher range saying they are not as good as some others, but I am suitably impressed so far


I use it on my car as well (qashqai), however I find that the supplied high pressure hose is a touch too short, could have done with an extra meter. I have however found a perfect spot where I can get around the car fully without having to shift the unit!


A note however, in winter I will be storing mine indoors (currently stored in shed) away from potential frost damage. Will just bung it under the stairs.


If sharing with a neighbour, I hope you have agreed terms on when each of you can use/storing and any repairs/replacement parts that maybe needed! Its something that I would not do personally but hey ho!

poppellerant

I've had this for a few years and love it: Nilfisk C110 3-5 X-Tra Pressure Washer with 1400 Watt Motor

DirectDebacle

Have a read of this for much useful information. If you are going to be sharing with a neighbour then theoretically you need one about as twice as powerful/durable as one you would buy for your sole use. As you are splitting the cost consider Honda (petrol) model.

Have a look at this model for suitability. Not pushing this make or retailer just have the details as was considering it for myself.

smifffy1989

water cooled motor lasts longer too! Have you thought about what happens if one of you are using it and it breaks?

savemoney

I have the Nilfisk C120.5 and use it for driveway (once a year) car washing almost weekly (with car attachment, not a brush a spray) I also use foam on car and doing windows sometimes. If you going to use it a lot ie sharing I get a good one as shown above, Nilfsk have excellent customer service. I had issues with mine came with 2 year warranty and next day got a brand new one. I also have extended the hose 30m so I can do car on street its quite street without taking pressue washer down there

nobulljusttruth

Litres per minute..... bigger the better. Pro models 22 LPM , Karcher type DIY 5-6 LPM, water cooled pump or one that turns off when you let trigger off. AND a turbo nozzle and even an extra hose between the gun and the pump, they ar normally to short for most jobs.
Run for 10 minutes, then rest for 5, it should outlast ones that are run for an hour or more.