[thomschoon]

I was wondering if anybody had any advice for a buying a pressure washer, I never had one and was wondering what I should look for as you can always use another power tool.

Thanks

Thom

[cmartin]

Rent one

I have a nice Honda powered Karcher (sp?) and it works great. Thing is, I only use it once or twice a year.

[dholling13]

The Honda one are nice. I would also add:

Be careful with the nozzle, don't use the stream on any painted surfaces.

Don't keep it in a freezing cold shed or garage; if you do, run biodegradable antifreeze through it.

[Jase007]

Search is your friend:

Pressure washer thread

[SilverStreak]

Honda is good. I had a Craftsman that worked for a while then cracked a screw on the pump housing. New pump=new machine. The cost of the new pump was about 15 less than a whole new pressure washer.

I was told by the mechanic that they are only designed to run for 5 hours. That's BS but be careful of harry homeowner crap because it is cheap, it won't last long, it will break and you will have to throw it out. Don't let lowest price be the winner.

[keithmckenney]

I bought a Karcher w/ a 6.5 Honda at Costco last year and it has been great. Would buy it again.....

[Trak Ratt]

Chris has the right idea about renting, but…
If you’ve never had one I’d buy a small 1700-2200 lb electric one to see if I really wanted the hassle. The whole thing is a bust unless you have a good place to store it. Hoses are stiff and difficult to keep neat; nozzles are long and just add to the clutter. Higher presure units multiply this. Add a gas engine to maintain; cause as stated most don’t’ get used much and gas does go bad and even small engines need oil changes and the whole thing will just become something else that needs to be shifted from one spot to another

[John Hallen]

Bad experience with the Karcher from Costco. Soon after purchase it wouldn't hold steady pressure. Called customer service and they said I needed a "upgrade Kit". They knew the original pump was garbage and now were go to stick me for another 80 bucks:XX . On the positive side, makes quick work of cleaning just about everything.

[markwemple]

I went with electric due to size and ease of convenience. Nothing less than 1500 lbs though. The small ones just aren't strong enough.

[pjalexandre]

+1 on the renting part. Unless you have a lot of storage space and keep it mildly heated in the winter.

I got a free wimpy electric one, really for very light and small jobs. Had points on a corp credit card that I needed to use up when I was changing jobs once.

If buying one, get the most powerful one you can afford. They big ones that I rent really make quick work of just about anything you throw at them and the little ones take all friggin day to do a remedial job. Think Tool Time..... more power..ugh.