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Slippery mildew on your deck, mold on your exterior walls and ceilings, moss growth and dirt on your walkways, gunk and grime on the corners of your house, and more—all of these nasty stuff require back-breaking labor. That is, unless you have a pressure washing machine.

Pressure washers are deep cleaning machines that can make quick work of a lot of different outdoor cleaning projects. They help you save precious time and energy compared to using a bucket of soapy water and a brush. But with tons of options out there, how do you make sure you get the right one for you? Here are some tips so you can identify the best pressure washing machines in Colorado.

Know where to find the best pressure washers.

Knowing the Machine

How pressure washers work

Regardless of the application, size, style, design, and price, all pressure washers work the same way. The only main difference is their power source. There are three main types of pressure washers in the market: electric, gas-powered, and the professional pressure washers that use diesel, gasoline, kerosene, or propane. This entry will focus on the first two, since they are commonly used for both private and commercial applications. Also, you can practically include the third category in the second.

This machine forces water at high pressure through a nozzle to blast away dirt and grime from all sorts of outdoor surfaces. When used right, it’s also a good cleaning tool for your car, motorbike, etc.

Before buying one, it is important to note that pressure washers aren’t just garden hoses on steroids. Pressure washer nozzles can shoot water 30 to 80 times more pressure. It’s a powerful machine that must be used with caution. So, what are the best pressure washing machines in Colorado?

Different people have different needs. Fortunately, there are a variety of options to choose from when it comes to pressure washing machines.

Choosing your pressure washer type

Things you need to know about electric-powered pressure washers

Pros

Electric pressure washers are best used for small decks and patios. They can also be used for cleaning outdoor furniture, cars, trucks, motorcycles, bikes, or other relatively small items and areas that require thorough cleaning and stain removal.

These machines are relatively light, compact, and easy to carry around. They are also quiet and need just a small upkeep. The best thing about the electric type is it produces zero emissions.

Users can start and stop their electric pressure washers whenever they want. Additionally, it requires no winterizing when brought outdoors during the cold season.

Cons

Depending on the area and cleaning required, cleaning with electric-pressure washers may require a longer time. Also, the plastic parts (nozzles and wands) are less sturdy than those found in their gas-powered counterpart. Many times, the cleaning area is limited to the length of the washer’s cord and hose, and hoses are around 25 to 30 feet. There are brands that offer upgrades of up to 50 feet. Power cords are usually around 35 feet.

The price range for electric-powered pressure washers is usually around $100 to $250.

Things you need to know about gas-powered pressure washers

Pros

Gas-powered pressure washers have more power than their electric counterparts. That means they deliver higher-pressure water for fast and thorough deep cleaning of larger areas, such as exterior walls, sidings, larger decks, driveways, walkways, etc., all without the need for any cleaning chemicals.

This type of washer can shoot and dispatch stubborn gunk and grime, such as tree sap or chewing gum. More pressure power also means the nozzle can be set on a wider angle, meaning it can shoot water at a bigger area, allowing you to clean and cover huge spaces quickly.

Cons

Since gas-powered pressure washers are bigger and have more power, they are relatively heavy and noisy as well. Also, they require tune-ups, and leaving them idle for too long can cause the engines to overheat the pumps, which could damage the machines if the safety valves start to fail.

This type of machine also needs to be winterized (using antifreeze) during the cold season when stored.

Once again, these are really powerful machines, which means you need to be extra careful in handling it. Misuse of this machine can cause injury. Also, using it on soft surfaces like wood may damage the surface. It can also chip paint off cars when used at a high setting.

The price range for gas-powered pressure washers is usually around $250 to $500, or more.

Best Pressure Washer Brands

How to find the best pressure washing machines?

There are so many brands and models you can choose from right now. The best way to narrow your search is to listen to people experienced in this field. Some of the best pressure washing machines in the market are from brands like Landa, Hotsy, and Karcher.

Landa, for instance, is best known for their heavy duty machines. They have the hot series, which is an affordable hot pressure washer, and PHW series, which is the brand’s best-selling electric hot-water pressure washer. For rugged and heavy-duty commercial cleaning, they have their gas or diesel powered, oil heated MHC series.

For industrial-grade cleaning, Hotsy is easily one of the best brands in the market. They have a wide range of machines for those real dirty jobs that require extra muscle. Many of their models also come with bigger wheels for convenient and easy moving.

Karcher is probably the most popular brand in the world when it comes to pressure washer machine manufacturing. They offer a wide range of products for both residential and commercial use. They even have compact and portable machines that are easy to carry around.

The Takeaway

Though similar in function, electric and gas-powered pressure washers work differently. The biggest difference, of course, is the strength and speed offered by each. Gas-powered is louder, but blasts more power for a fast and more thorough cleaning of bigger areas. Electric, on the other hand, is a lot quieter and is best for light and sometimes medium-duty cleaning of smaller spaces.

Find the Best Pressure Washing Machines in Colorado

If you are in the market for the best pressure washers from reputable brands, you can depend on PSI Systems, Inc. We have been in business since 1985 and we have proven to be reliable when it comes to your Colorado pressure washer service and needs. If you already own one, we can also provide service and repair for your units to keep them in good condition.

If you are looking to buy a new machine, we offer a wide array of brands of pressure washers to choose from. Our selection currently includes brands like Hotsy, Landa, Watermaze, Clean Energy, and Reznor. If you need help with pressure washing machines in Colorado, call us at (719) 636-3388.