Gas powered pressure washers can do many things around your business to keep things looking clean. Depending on your business, you may use your power pressure washer indoors or out. Regardless of where you use them, you need to be making the most of your gas powered pressure washers by putting them to good use and by taking care of them.

In order to get the most from your gas powered power washers, you need to understand what they are capable of doing. Be sure to read any owner’s manual that came with the equipment. Also know the specs on your gasoline pressure washer so you know what you can reasonably expect the machine to do. These specs include:

1. The capabilities of the pressure pump. This includes the amount of pressure provided by the gas powered pressure washer in the form of pounds of pressure per square inch (psi) as well as the gallons per minute (gpm) the machine can deliver.

2. The type of plunger pump on your gas pressure washer.

3. The horsepower of the power pressure washer.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand how a gas powered pressure washer works

Buyer's guides and articles are good sources of information. If you know the basics of operating a water pressure washer, you can make better use of your cleaning time, and get more efficient operation from the equipment.

I recommend: Pressure-Washer-Buyers-Guide.com publishes an extensive buyer’s guide to help you get the gas powered pressure washer that’s best for you. The buyer’s guide from Lowe’s also provide valuable information about ways you can be making the most of gas powered pressure washers.

Keep a supply of parts for your gas powered pressure washer on hand

If you have basic parts available, you don't miss as much time for repairs. Since pressure washer parts are typically easy to change, you can also use a variety of tips and wands for different tasks.

I recommend: SprayMall.com has a complete selection of accessories to keep your gas powered washers functioning at their best. From spray tips to pressure washer hose, you can find the replacement parts and accessories you need for your gas powered power washers. Higher Power Supplies also has a varied selection of parts and accessories for gas pressure washers.

Clean efficiently with your gas powered power washers

Choose the right soaps for the task at hand. Many soaps and detergents are multi-purpose. However if you have a greasy mess to clean, you need to use a soap specifically formulated for grease removal to get the job done quickly.

I recommend: Briggs & Stratton offers tips for cleaning efficiently with your gas power pressure washers. Hotsy explains how the right detergent can help your gas powered pressure washers clean your equipment better, and also help lengthen the life of your pressure washer parts, especially the hoses and spray nozzles.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Choose the right tip for the cleaning job with your gas powered pressure washer. A zero tip provides the most intense pressure. As the angle of the spray increases, you get wider coverage but less pressure. A spinner tip provides high pressure without a lot a splash back.

A power pressure washer is an easy way to keep homes and buildings looking new, and a great way to keep your truck fleet shining. Choosing the right power pressure washer is the key.

Though the high end is at around 5000 PSI, gas powered pressure washers are generally available at a wide range of powers. For lighter or less frequent applications, consider both electric and gas pressure washers. But for industrial and fast paced environments, go for the gas. You’ll also have to decide between cold and heated water. Heated water means higher cost, but it also means higher performance.

1. Gauge how you expect to use a gas powered pressure washer, and how often.

2. Shop more than one provider of gas power pressure washers.

3. Pay close attention to maintenance directions to get the best long-term use out of your power pressure washer.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Shop multiple retailers for the best prices on gas pressure washers

Gas pressure washers come in all shapes and sizes, and so do the retailers that sell them.

I recommend: Landa sells top-of-the-line gas powered power washers with long warranties. These are great for frequent use on hard jobs and they are built to last. BizRate, however, is a great place to find deals and the selection is huge. If you're exclusively looking for hot water gas power pressure washers, take a look at Silver Eagle Manufacturing. They even build custom gas powered washers on trailers. The Ultimate Washer's website is nicely organized, and the company is another good source for models up to 3000 psi.

Consider renting a gas powered pressure washer

Power pressure washers are versatile and come in handy even for unexpected uses. Buying one can be very satisfying. Perhaps you are off-location or made a one-time mess. You have a use for a power washer, but cannot imagine using it again. If so, renting is an option.

I recommend: Use RentalHQ to locate a variety of rental outlets in your area.

Include accessories for your gas pressure washer on your shopping list

Buying accessories at the same time as your gas powered pressure washer keeps you on budget and ensures that you have the right parts for the job.

I recommend: Consider the various accessories that come with gas powered power washers as part of the deal. Once you’ve done your comparison-shopping, take a look at what else you’ll need to buy to complete the package. Pressure Washers Direct is a good place to start for the basics. It is always a good idea to consider how long of a pressure washer hose you will need to get your jobs done efficiently, especially if you’ve chosen a stationary power pressure washer versus a wheeled model. If you know you’ll need to reach high places, get a long or even a telescoping wand from Landa. Another good place to look for accessories is Northern Tool + Equipment. They have a nice, well-organized selection on their website.

Buy appropriate detergents and additives for your gas powered power washers

Save time and effort by investing in the right detergents and additives for your gasoline pressure washer. Not every job requires a detergent, but if you are not getting the results you want then turning your gas powered pressure washer in for a bigger model is by no means the next step. Detergents can make a big difference.

I recommend: Whether you are shining aluminum or stripping paint, choose the right detergent for the job. Pressure Washers Direct carries a nice line of detergents and Landa has an even wider variety.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Gas pressure washers under 3000 PSI are good for general use. To strip paint or deal with grease and serious stains, get a machine rated 3000 PSI or greater.
• •  The higher the GMP (gallons per minute) rating on a power pressure washer the faster it will wash a given surface area.
• •  When using detergents, keep the environment in mind and watch where you drain.

Gas power pressure washers are cleaning tools that combine intense pressure with the power of water to blast away grime and debris on decks, siding, brick and more. Gas powered pressure washers are commonly used by professional exterior cleaners and contractors to clean an area before and after renovations, or for a quick yearly clean. They are also used in farming and agricultural operations where animal housing cleaning is a must.

Working with gas powered power washers requires little training or certification, but does require you to know how to operate and maintain a power pressure washer. Learning the proper safety procedures and precautions is also important. Consider the following for gas powered pressure washers education and training:

1. Know the basic pressure washer parts and operation procedures. This will help you understand how your power washer works and how to use it appropriately.
2. Learn the safety procedures and precautions you should take when operating a power pressure washer. These guidelines help you protect yourself, your workers and bystanders.
3. Get the most out of your gas powered pressure washer by finding helpful tips and tricks.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn gas powered pressure washer basics online

Gas powered washers come in a variety of sizes and types, from industrial to residential models. Learning about the different types of pressure washers and their parts can help you fix a problem, should it arise, and makes it easier to select the model that will work best for your job. Knowing how your gas powered washer operates before you start working with one is essential.

I recommend: Find gas powered pressure washer basics and learn how to operate a pressure washer at The Family Handyman, or visit the Home and Garden Guide.

Read safety information and guidelines for gas pressure washers

Gas powered pressure washers are powerful tools that can hurt you or other people in the work area if there is a malfunction or the pressure washer is used incorrectly. Read safety information and use guidelines ahead of time to prevent problems before they happen. Always read any safety information that comes with your pressure washer model. Additional safety information is often available from the pressure washer's manufacturer or industry safety experts.

I recommend: Read the safety guidelines suggested for power washers at Consumer Reports, or check out the safety hazards of working with gas-powered tools at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's website.

Get gas pressure washer tips and tricks to help maximize your knowledge

Sometimes, just learning the basics about gas powered pressure washers isn't enough. Depending on the type of job you're planning, you may need a model with a stronger spray or a special attachment. Tips and tricks can help you tell what to look for when renting or purchasing a pressure washer, and allow you to get the most out of your washing.

I recommend: Find tips and tricks for house cleaning with a pressure washer at the House Cleaning Tips website, or get tips on choosing a pressure washer rental from Rental HQ.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you plan to use your gas pressure washer at multiple locations make sure to rent or purchase a wheeled model. This will save you the time and effort you'd waste carrying or loading up your gas pressure washer to each location by making it easy to transport.

If you are looking into purchasing, renting or leasing a gas powered pressure washer to clean the exterior of your building or even your fleet of trucks, have some knowledge of the lingo used in power washer discussions. Each gas powered pressure washer is not created equal, so you must make sure you know what your options are.

By taking the time to learn some easy, basic key terms, you can simplify your pressure washer purchase or rental experience.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

PSI

PSI stands for 'pounds per square inch,' and it refers to the amount of force that the pressure washer puts out.

I recommend: For a deeper explanation of PSI and a chart that shows what PSI is recommended for typical pressure washer cleaning duties, check out Northern Tool + Equipment Catalog.

GPM

Gallons per minute, or GPM, is the amount of water that flows through and out of the pressure washer per minute of use. The higher the GPM, the faster the pressure washer can clean.

I recommend: Check out The-Power-Washer-Advisor.com for more information on GPM.

CU

The CU of a pressure washer refers to the cleaning unit. The calculation to determine the CU of a pressure washer is to multiply the PSI by the flow. The higher the CU, the better the cleaning power.

I recommend: Go to the Home and Garden Guide to read more on CUs and see a CU chart.

Direct drive

A pressure washer that has a direct drive means that it has no gears or belts that control the engine. Therefore, there are less moving parts on a direct drive motor than gear driven motors.

I recommend: To read more on a direct drive, including it's pros and cons, visit GlobalSpec.

Belt driven

When someone describes a pressure washer as belt driven, they mean that there is an actual belt connecting the engine with the pump on the washer.

I recommend: Hydro Tek Systems has a large section that discusses belt driven pressure washers vs. direct drive pressure washers.

Nozzle

The nozzle of the pressure washer is the part of the whole system that directs the pressure into the flow that is selected. Nozzles have different openings that can direct the flow of water into different shapes, that will apply different pressure.

I recommend: You can visit Ultimate Washer to see different nozzle types and find out what each model is best used for.