GoKawiilPressure washers can be a force multiplier for cleaning around your home or tackling stubborn messes, particularly outdoors. However, buyers tend to stumble into a number of pitfalls when choosing a model, whether it’s overestimating the power they need or missing key setup details that lead to damaged surfaces. Before you spend your hard-earned cash on a power washer, read about these five common mistakes and save yourself some time, money and potential damage to your property.
1. Buying for pressure instead of for cleaning
Power is important, but it's not everything. A common mistake first-time purchasers make is over-prioritizing pressure per square inch (PSI), when in reality, real-world cleaning performance depends on a careful balance between PSI and gallons per minute (GPM). An oversize machine can be overkill, depending on what you plan to use it for, and it can even be dangerous for cleaning siding, decks or vehicles.
Before you buy, carefully consider what you're going to be cleaning the most often and whether you'll be using your pressure washer on any surfaces that could be damaged or degraded by too much PSI. A small electric unit like our top pick for best pressure washer, the Karcher K1800PS Cube, will likely be enough for cleaning patios, furniture and light grime, while heavier-duty jobs may justify more output.
For that kind of work, look for a unit that balances 1,500–2,000 PSI with around 1.2–1.8 GPM. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you're looking for serious, heavy-duty cleaning for stubborn grime, look for a model with 2,800–3,500 PSI and 2.3–3.0 GPM, something like the DeWalt DWPW3000.
2. Always using the maximum power setting or misjudging distance
Invest a little time in learning the proper tips, angles and distances when operating a pressure washer for different uses. Steve Conaway/CNET
The temptation may always be to crank your washer up to maximum to save time cleaning and make sure you blast off every bit of grime, but as mentioned above, sometimes maximum power is overkill. The same is true for range: The closer you are to the surface you're cleaning, the more power you'll be delivering. In both instances, you risk stripping paint or damaging detailing on sensitive exteriors.
The best approach is actually the opposite. Start with your washer set to the lowest possible setting and begin at close to its maximum range, usually around 20 feet or so for consumer models. You can then steadily increase the power setting and, if necessary, get closer to your target until you're effectively cleaning without damaging the surface. Again, model selection is key. If you're just cleaning some light grime off a deck, a smaller unit like the Sun Joe SPX3000 packs plenty of oomph without risking damage to your property.
3. Ignoring water supply limits
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