The Best Electric Pressure Washer for Cleaning Driveways and Sidewalks
Washing down driveways and sidewalks doesn’t exactly sound like the most thrilling task. But if you want to avoid having your concrete surfaces get to a point that is beyond filthy, it’s important to have them cleaned on a semi-regular basis. Keep in mind that accumulated dirt, grime and stains can not only dampen the look and feel of your area, but also the associated value.
If you want to get big cleaning jobs done with less time, money and energy involved, you should consider using pressure washers for the task. But when it comes to cleaning driveawys and sidewalks, make sure you don’t opt for just any pressure washer. After all, there are plenty of models available out there with unique specifications and features that make them well-suited for some tasks, but not so suitable for others.
Why Electric Drive?
When searching for high pressure washers, you’ll discover that there are both engine and electric drive options available. So, what makes an electric pressure washer so suitable for washing driveways and sidewalks?
Well, for starters, electric pressure washers run a lot cleaner and quieter than engine drive model, which is handy if you’re going to be washing down driveways and sidewalks in a suburban area. The last thing you want to be is the reason someone gets up on the wrong side of the bed in the morning, all because your rugged, engine-drive pressure washer woke them up before their morning alarm. Electric machines are also a lot easier to use, which is preferable if you’re new to pressure washing and will be using it mainly for residential applications over industrial applications.
Choose the Right Pressure (psi)
If you want to guarantee a thorough clean (like the type you see in these before and after pictures) Pressure is one of the most important things to consider when shopping for a high pressure washer, as this is what determines how powerful your washer will be. You don’t want to get a pressure washer that is too weak or overly strong, because you’re not going to get your money’s worth in either scenario. Most often, it’s recommended that you choose an electric pressure washer between 2,000 to 3,000 psi for concrete cleaning applications. If you have a bigger area to cover, you may want to consider opting for something with higher pressure.
Hot or Cold Water?
You can find electric drive pressure washers capable of handling both hot and cold water; but which is preferable when you’re washing concrete surfaces?
Cold water pressure washers will generally do the trick when it comes to washing dirt, grime and other stubborn stains off outdoor surfaces. Although they can take a bit longer to clean surfaces than hot waster blasters, they can be overkill in certain applications. Hot water blasters are used more commonly in industrial applications, specifically for washing hardcore substances like spilt oil, workshop grease and chemicals away.
The Right Nozzle Makes a Difference
The nozzle is another important feature to consider, as this is what controls the size of the stream escaping from your pressure washer. Nozzles that are calibrated at lower degrees will put out a more concentrated, powerful stream. When you’re tackling tougher spots on concrete surfaces, this type of stream is useful. However, when you’re trying to clean larger areas faster, a nozzle calibrated at a higher degree is adequate.