Power Washers can clean most building surfaces

Power washers also known as pressure washers, are mechanical devices that use high-pressure water to remove grime, mold, dirt, mud, and other hard to remove stains from surfaces such as buildings, vehicles, concrete, wood and more. Power washers can be found at most construction and lumber chains, warehouses, and are available for rent or purchase producing pressure measured in pounds per square inch or PSI of 4000 or more.

Power washers at their simplest, are made up of a motorized water pump, a frame that encases the power source and the high-pressure water pump, a high-pressure hose, and a trigger gun. In comparison to a garden hose nozzle, the power of the motorized pump forces the water through the hose where in a garden hose, volume and speed of the water is restricted by the constant flow of the water source. Therefore, power washers typically use less water and less time to finish cleaning jobs. However, in motorized pumps, the pump cannot draw more water than the source can provide and starve the pump because this is extremely harmful to the pump and the motor. Some power washers have different nozzles that can be replaced to allow the use of detergent or sprayers with different patterns to accommodate different surfaces and surface types.

Power washers are used in many industrial-cleaning applications requiring surface layers to be removed as well as in dust free cutting of metals and concrete. Power washers are also used in conjunction with chemicals for removing graffiti. For extremely difficult surfaces to be cleaned water may not be used at all but sandblasting may be used instead. Power washers are extremely dangerous to use especially in regard to the pressurized water expelling closest to the nozzle. Power washers can break up asphalt and throw debris at high velocities. That is why it is imperative to always wear a mask and take great care when operating any type of power washers.