Things You'll Need:
- Pressure-washer Eye protection
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Step 1
Determine the necessary power you'll need for the washing you plan to do. Most pressure-washers for consumers range from 1500 to 3000 PSI. For lighter jobs, 1500 PSI is plenty, but for heavier jobs, a 3000 PSI washer may be necessary. PSI means pounds per square inch. Some washers are electric; others (mainly the higher-pressure ones) use a gas engine.
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Step 2
Make sure you have ample water supplying the pressure-washer. Too little water flowing into the washer can damage the washer's pump. You hose should be at least 5/8-inch in diameter.
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Step 3
Connect a garden hose from a water tap to the pressure-washer. The water intake for the washer in usually located on the lower left, just behind the engine and to the left of the water pump. Make sure the connection is tight.
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Step 4
If the washer is electric, use an extension cord designed for outdoor use. For a gas-powered washer, check the oil and gasoline before starting the engine. Not only will the pressure-washer not start if the gas tank is empty, it won't start when the oil is low. This is a safety feature that protects the engine.
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Step 5
Flip the choke to full choke, turn the ignition switch to On, and vigorously pull the starter rope. Once the engine starts, flip the choke to Run.
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Step 6
Add the appropriate colored tip to the spray wand. The wand has interchangeable tips for different kinds of cleaning. Red is the most powerful and should be used only on hard surfaces like metal and concrete; yellow and white produce a fanned spray and will clean most other surfaces.
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Step 7
Work the spray wand from side to side and up and down as you work your way across the surface being cleaned. Don't aim at one area too long, or you will damage the surface.
