How to Use a Power Washer

Using a power washer is an efficient way of cleaning. Whether you are washing the car, the siding on your home or spraying down the driveway, a power washer will help you to get that job done quickly. Following a basic procedure combined with some practical tips will make that power washer a wise investment for the homeowner and professional alike.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Garden hose
• Outdoors water spigot
• Safety glasses
• Power washer, gas operated or electric motor
• Extension cord if electrically operated power washer
• Soap, if optional soap attachment is on the power washer

1. Attach the garden hose to the water inlet on the power washer. Run the hose to the outdoor spigot, keeping the hose free of all kinks. The power washer will need an uninterrupted flow of water for proper operation.

2. Turn the water on from the spigot. The power washer will also have a water valve on the inlet side to the power washer pump. Turn this valve on also.

3. Plug the power washer into an outdoor receptacle, if electrically powered and switch the pump to "on."

4. Start the gasoline engine on the power washer by pulling the start cord.

5. Place the safety glasses over your eyes. The high-pressure water will dislodge debris into the air. Spray back from the water may also cause eye injury.

6. Uncoil the high-pressure hose and lay out on the surface. Be sure that there are no kinks in the line as the high-pressure water must also have an uninterrupted flow to the nozzle.

7. Take the gun nozzle in hand and depress the large, hand held trigger. Note how the wand will want to travel upward when the high-pressure water is released. The longer the nozzle pipe, the more upward pressure will be released, causing the nozzle to kick up towards your body. You may have to use two hands in some cases.

8. Rinse down the area to be cleaned with the high-pressure water. This will knock off any heavy grime before you add the soap.

9. Add the soap solution to the pressure washer and turn the soap mixing valve to "on."

10. Soap down the area thoroughly, keeping the surface wet so it will not dry out, causing the soap to form a film.

11. Shut off the soap dispenser and thoroughly rinse the are with fresh, high-pressure water.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the nozzle a fair distance, three to four feet, when beginning to use the power washer as the high-pressure water may dislodge or destroy the surface you are wanting to clean. Some power washers will emit up to 10, 000 pound per square inch (PSI) from the end nozzle.
• Never allow children to play with or around the area you are power washing, as debris can be thrown a great distance from the high-pressure water.