Looking for Power Washer

[hennessy1]

I have looked around a little bit but still am unsure what brand to go with. Basically I am looking for a power washer just to clean up the driveway and stairs maybe the deck.

I prefer going with a electric powered one as from what I have seen that should be ok for my intended uses. I saw the Karcher brand around a lot but wouldn't know if they were good or bad.

I have a lowes and home depot in my area that I'd prefer to pick it up at but if I could find the same one online for cheaper that's fine as well. My price range is up to $300.

Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thank you for any help.

 

[overst33r]

I actually just impulsed on one from Costco for the same purpose. Simpson 1700psi 1.3GPM for $140

I'm tempted on trying it before I return it to see if it actually can clean the driveway.

Then I actually went online and did some research. This one goes on sale for about $120 http://www.amazon.com/AR-AR383-Elect...asher+electric

Depending on how often you will use it, it might make more sense to rent one...

 

[cabri]

A construction manager for work being done for my daughter had told her that 2000psi minimum to do a job properly.

Driveway & garage cleaning
House sidings
Deck
Windows

 

[BudAshes]

Electric ones are pretty useless from my experience. I could be wrong, but I went through a couple before I gave up on them. I'd use them a few times, they would sit in the basement for a while, then something would be broken when I went to get it out again. I've had a gas one now I got for a couple hundred bucks and its been running great for the last 4 years despite a lot of abuse, including me dropping it down a flight of stairs.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Electric is useless, other than for washing cars.

Get a gas model, you won't be sorry. And be sure it has a Honda motor on it.

 

[BudAshes]

Electric is useless, other than for washing cars.

Get a gas model, you won't be sorry. And be sure it has a Honda motor on it.

Really the only issue with gas, besides needing a gas can, is that they are a little large to store. I don't have much room in my storage area and the power washer has a fairly large footprint compared to the electric ones. But from my experience you don't really have a choice.

 

[hennessy1]

I have heard that about the electric ones where you use them for one season put them away and next season they just don't work.

Besides the honda engine is there a specific brand I should look for?

There looks like there is a few under my price range such as generac, and troy bilt.

 

[HeXen]

I've had an 1700psi electric one for years, I've used it on my driveway, deck and few other things before, not much to say about it, it gets the job done. Has built in soap dispenser.
I use one of those stretching garden hoses you see on TV and it's nice that it shrinks up when done so I don't really have to coil it up.

You can go higher psi with gas but really the only difference is it takes a little less time to get up tough grime but if it's that tough you should probably be cleaning it more often so it doesn't get that bad to begin with. I'd go with a deck scrubbing broom and then spray before I'd invest in gas just to get a few hundred more psi.

 

[SKORPI0]

This thread from late April... :hmm:

[url="http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2379347"]Any advice for pressure washer ?
[/URL]

 

[eldorado99]

Electric is useless, other than for washing cars.

Get a gas model, you won't be sorry. And be sure it has a Honda motor on it.

Just be sure it is a REAL Honda motor and not one of their cheap-ass Honda clones with a Honda badge slapped on. I have one of them right now and it is a huge pile of junk.

 

[DrPizza]

I have heard that about the electric ones where you use them for one season put them away and next season they just don't work.

Don't forget about what substance runs through them. I suspect that a lot of people leave them in their unheated garage - and with residual water inside. A couple of freeze/thaw cycles during the winter, and nope, it's not going to work next season.

 

[Pacfanweb]

I have heard that about the electric ones where you use them for one season put them away and next season they just don't work.

Besides the honda engine is there a specific brand I should look for?

There looks like there is a few under my price range such as generac, and troy bilt.

I've had a Troy Bilt from Lowes for about ten years now. Sits outside all winter, fires right up every spring. I've replaced the hose once and the gun once.

 

[mvbighead]

I just picked up a Simpson one with a Honda motor at Costco for 299. 3000 PSI and it starts quite quickly most times. (I have found that if it doesn't start at first pull, it is a wise idea to squeeze the handle to release the pressure for the next rip on the pull cord. That pressure makes it very difficult to pull the motor by hand.)

I need to get to using it on my deck, but other projects have taken precedence.

 

[overst33r]

I actually just impulsed on one from Costco for the same purpose. Simpson 1700psi 1.3GPM for $140

I'm tempted on trying it before I return it to see if it actually can clean the driveway.

Then I actually went online and did some research. This one goes on sale for about $120 http://www.amazon.com/AR-AR383-Elect...asher+electric

Depending on how often you will use it, it might make more sense to rent one...

I ended up trying the one I bought from costco on my pvc fence and driveway. I even washed my car using the soap dispenser and shampoo nozzle.

It works well enough for something I do once a year. It would take me 5+ years to recoup the costs with a gas one...

Storing it is a breeze as well, which was my main reason for not getting a gas one.

That said, if you will use it often, get a good quality gas one.

 

[cabri]

How do you tell that a unit has a real Honda engine vs a re-badged one?

 

[Pacfanweb]

How do you tell that a unit has a real Honda engine vs a re-badged one?

Buy a brand you've heard of before. If you buy it from Lowes or Home Despot, you are very unlikely to get a counterfeit engine.