Types of High Pressure Washer and their Uses

While warm soapy water and a scrubbing brush were once the only options when tackling a challenging cleaning task, the brush is no longer necessary. It’s often possible to dispense with the soap also and still produce better results. One may even perform some previously impossible cleaning tasks when armed with a suitable high pressure washer.

Flowing water is incredibly powerful. While it may have taken millions of years, rivers and seas have shaped the entire planet, creating imposing landmarks, such as the Grand Canyon. It is, therefore, not too surprising that one can apply sufficient force with a jet of water to remove the deeply ingrained dirt from a concrete floor or even the flaking paint from an old wall. These are just two of the many challenging cleaning tasks that are now simpler and more efficient, following the invention of the high pressure washer.

Thinking of the device as a hosepipe with a built-in motor will make it easier to understand how it works. Rather than relying on the unaided force from a tap to maintain the flow of water in the hose, an electric motor ensures a constant flow while providing a necessary boost. However, in a portable unit, an internal combustion engine requires only fuel. It is, therefore, the more practical option in locations with no access to a mains power supply.

The high pressure washer’s mechanics are most evident in the hand-held domestic models, often used to clean driveways, guttering, cars, and motorcycles. A pump forces water from a tap or storage tank along a length of flexible hose which then attaches to a narrow metal tube known as a wand. As its name implies, the magic lies in the latter. The wand’s narrow exit orifice presents a constriction and acts to reduce the water’s flow rate. However, there is an inverse relationship between the rate at which a fluid travels through a pipe and the force it exerts. By reducing the flow rate, the wand generates the high pressure displayed by the washer.

These hand-held devices have gained a visible and valuable role in both domestic and commercial applications. Nevertheless, while these are powerful tools, one must be sure to select the correct model for the task at hand. For example, when selecting a machine suitable for cleaning the family car, the rinsing stage will be as crucial as the washing. When rinsing, it must be possible to increase the flow rate sufficiently to wash away all the loosened dirt by adjusting the spray nozzle,  For the jetting stage,  the high pressure washer will need to operate at between 1 400 and 1 900 PSI.

However, the industrial applications for power washing and the tools involved tend to be less visible to the general population. Imagine a scaled-up version of your local drive-through car wash operating deep underground. Mining companies employ such facilities to keep their heavy vehicles from becoming clogged and rendered unserviceable by thick layers of mud, stones and other detritus.

Whether for underground or surface use, you can rely on world-class high pressure washers and support to match when you deal with Bestline Manufacturing.