How to Choose the Right Industrial Pressure Washer for Your Business Needs
When you are looking for a powerful tool that is capable of cleaning excessively dirty surfaces in seconds, can strip paint off buildings, and be used in several commercial and industrial applications, then it is time to invest in an industrial pressure washer. Whether mobile or fixed, we at Bestline would like to take this opportunity to point out a few crucial aspects to consider before selecting an industrial pressure washer based on size alone.
Determining what Size Industrial Pressure Washer is Required
First off, it is important to understand that an industrial pressure washer’s cleaning action comes from the pump and not the washer itself. These powerful heavy-duty cleaning machines handle a variety of different jobs; run on electric, petrol, or diesel; and have several nozzle attachments for specific cleaning and dirt-removal tasks, which makes the selection of the right one based on the pump itself vital. This includes selecting the right flow and pressure rates as this will ultimately determine the cleaning capabilities of the washer.
Calculating Effective Cleaning Units
To calculate the size of the industrial pressure washer needed, we would suggest that you don’t base your choice on PSI (pounds per square inch) alone. Having more power isn’t necessarily better, and it would be wise to consider the type of surface that the pressure washer will be used for first. To gain a true measure of the size of the pump required, it is best to calculate the effective cleaning units which can be done by multiplying the pump’s PSI by its GPM (gallons per minute).
- Light- to medium-duty use of an industrial pressure washer requires a pump that produces between 800 and 1200 PSI with flows of 3 to 5 GPM. These ratings are ideal for cleaning commercial and industrial concrete surfaces, for commercial wash bays,and for exterior auto washing in car dealerships, to name a few.
- Heavy-duty applications such as hydro or sewer jetting often require a pump that offers PSI ratings between 1500 and 5000 (depending on the severity of the blockage), as well as a GPM of up to 20. These industrial pressure washers are commonly used to clean out pipe systems that have a build-up of dirt and grime.
An industrial pressure washer is extremely versatile, and it can be used for cleaning various surfaces and even flushing out sewer systems.
Selecting the Right Nozzle
As much as you need to depend on the right size pump for specific industrial pressure washer applications, selecting the right type of nozzle has a direct impact on the surface that it will be used on. A concentrated spray may seem like a quicker or more effective option; however, the pressure that is exerted by the pump through the nozzle can damage the surface if the incorrect nozzle is chosen. We would suggest that before use, the spray is tested on a tough surface, such as concrete.
Consult with Specialist Pump Suppliers
Since 1971, we at Bestline have been the sole distributor of Cat Pumps in Southern Africa, supplying a range of triplex plunger and piston pumps for a variety of industrial and commercial applications. We proudly stand behind the design aspects of Cat Pumps, which have been optimised for maximum product life and continuous reliable performance. Contact us to find out how you can benefit from these dependable pumps and our excellent customer service and support.