How Much Water Does a Pressure Washer Use?
Have you ever stood over your patio or deck and just stared in awe at the years of built-up dirt? Have you ever wanted to get rid of it quickly, wanting them to look the way it used to when you first bought your home?
If you’ve ever seen those “satisfying” videos on Youtube, one of the maintenance tools often seen is a pressure washer, using its power to restore anything from stairs, patios, decks, and sidewalks to their full glory.
Pressure washers might be one of the best ways to get your deck looking new again. Best of all, they are readily available for anyone to use, with the help of one simple element: water.
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How much water does a pressure washer use?
Water is used in a commercial pressure washer at a rate of eight gallons of water per minute. This is also known as the “flow rate” of a pressure washer and is shown in units of GPM. It’s even less in a standard pressure washer that you might put in your garage. These non-commercial pressure washers only utilize about 1 to 5 GPM!
Pressure washers might also be measured in PSI, or pounds per square inch. On average, pressure washers work at a rate of 1500 to 3000 PSI. To summarize, depending on how big and how powerful your pressure washer is, they might end up using more or less than 8 GPM.
How does a pressure washer work?
You might be wondering how a pressure washer works if it only uses water and a simple mix of detergent. If it uses no other harsh chemicals, how does it break down dirt on surfaces so easily?
Water is an amazing tool, as it has a small electrical polarity that allows it to bind to materials easily. When water binds to the dirt and grime on your deck, patio, outside furniture, and so on, it helps to break down these built-up substances on their surfaces.
In addition, the water coming out of a pressure washer travels quickly and utilizes kinetic energy from the pressure washer’s water pump. The water pump is powered by an electric motor, which gives water the ability to strike an object’s surface hard enough to break down grime.
What are the parts of a pressure washer?
A pressure washer, in addition to water, has various parts to it, including:
- an electric or diesel-powered motor
- a water pump
- a high-pressure hose with a narrow opening
The smaller the opening, the higher the pressure of the water coming out.
Is it wasteful?
Believe it or not, your standard garden hose uses more water than your average small pressure washer. A garden hose typically uses around 9 to 17 gallons per minute, with the average amount being around 12 gallons per minute.
This is a lot more wasteful than a pressure washer, and costs homeowners a pretty penny. Think about it, you’re using more water and more of your energy in addition to spending money on harsh chemicals to tackle grime that a pressure washer can take care of at a lower GPM rate.
In the end, a pressure washer is a far better option for getting rid of built-up dirt and grime than a garden hose is.
Will it affect my water bill?
If you use a garden hose to wash your patio or deck, using a pressure washer might actually lower your bill if you use it to tackle stubborn grime.
This is great news for new homeowners who are looking to reduce their utility bills wherever possible. This is even the case when using industrial pressure washers using 8 GPM, which is still less than the average 12 GPM of a water hose.
However, the average pressure washer working at, let’s say 2GPM, will still clean your patio in less time and use less water than a garden hose will. The only drawback is that pressure washers are not convenient for everyday chores, such as watering your lawn, watering your garden, or gentle cleaning.
Is it worth the investment?
If you have your own business and are looking for an industrial pressure washer, or if you’re a homeowner looking for a personal pressure washer, both are worth the investment.
Although they seem complicated, pressure washers are simply water pumps that have attached motors and can help get your home looking new with minimal effort.
You can even save money on your water bill when using a pressure washer whenever possible. In addition, using a pressure washer to clean your home can help your home’s value go up. It’s important to how much water does a pressure washer use, but it’s also important to know the many benefits of this amazing maintenance machine!
Conclusion
Getting your own pressure washer whether it’s for a business or for personal use is worth it. If you’re still worried about how much water does a pressure washer use, remember it’s not as wasteful as using your garden hose and it can lower your water bill.
