Slow and steady wins this race
The last thing you want to do when preparing to pressure wash your house or patio is send a high-pressure stream of water right through a window or toward another person. Because pressure washers can emit water with great force, you need to know how to start a pressure washer correctly. Whether you have a gas-powered pressure washer or an electric model, here’s how to start it safely.
A pressure washer blasts away dirt, grime, and other debris from tough-to-clean surfaces, such as your home’s siding or concrete driveways and patios. When you choose the right pressure washer for the job at hand, you’ll reap the benefits of this DIY:
Cleaner surfaces, like walkways and driveways, are safer and healthier.
Pressure washing can make other jobs, like painting and sealing, more efficient and longer-lasting.
A sparkling home exterior increases curb appeal and property value.
Pressure washing is faster than other cleaning methods.
Maintaining clean surfaces can decrease damage over time, saving you money on repairs.
You’ll need to determine whether a gas versus an electric pressure washer works best for your home. Gas-powered models are often more powerful, but they can be noisy and expensive to fuel. Electric models are quieter and efficient, but you’ll need to plug them into an outdoor outlet during use.
Pressure washing a house costs $310 on average. Rates can range from $100 to $700 depending on what you’re cleaning, the type of pressure washer you’re using, and whether you decide to DIY (you’ll have to rent or buy a pressure washer) or leave the job to the pros.
"Getting on ladders is dangerous if you're not trained and used to it. If you need to pressure wash anything high up, consider letting a pro handle the job."
— Fred Hodge, President and Co-Founder at Clearview Washing, Little Silver, New Jersey
No matter which type you choose, it’s important to know how to use a pressure washer without damaging the surface in front of you. Here’s how to start a pressure washer, whether you opt for a gas model or an electric one.
The pressure washer needs a flat, steady surface to sit on while you work. First, determine which parts of the house you want to pressure wash and place the pressure washer close by on a flat surface, such as on the floor of the deck or on a concrete walkway. If you have an electric model with a cord, make sure you’re close to an outdoor outlet.
Next, check the water inlet, where the pressure washer will connect to the home’s water supply. Here, you’ll find a water strainer. Make sure there’s no debris here, which could be present from storing the unit or from previous pressure washer use. Clear out any debris to make sure the water will flow uninterrupted while you work.
When you’re pressure washing, you’ll need a steady supply of water. That’s where your garden hose comes into play. (Plus, it’s smart to rinse off the area you’re going to pressure wash with the regular hose before firing up the pressure washer.) Connect the garden hose to the exterior hose bib or spigot, then connect it to the pressure washer. Make sure the garden hose isn’t kinked or twisted.
Don’t use a pressure washer without the right personal protective equipment, or PPE. The pressurized water and cleaning agents can damage your skin or respiratory system if you accidentally come into contact with the spray, and these machines can be so loud that they pose a risk to your hearing. Make sure to suit up in the following PPE before you start working with the pressure washer:
Goggles
Work boots
Work gloves
Long-sleeve shirt
Full-length pants
Respirator
Face shield
Ear protection
Consider buying a waterproof raincoat and pants or bibs for extra protection.
Even if you just pressure-washed something last week, make sure to check the fuel source before you start to avoid any interruptions. For battery-powered models, charge the battery before using the machine.
For gas models, top up the fuel and check that the motor oil isn’t too low. Just like with a car, you can use the dipstick attached to the pressure washer to check the oil level. If the oil is too low, add more oil or change the oil if you haven’t in three or more months.
A pressure washer has a high-pressure hose to carry the pressurized water from the pressure washer to the pressure washing wand or gun. Connect this hose to the pressure washer on the side or the front, then connect the pressure washing wand to the other end of the high-pressure hose.
These connections either screw or snap into place. Either way, double-check that the hose is tightly connected to avoid leaks.
Add the right nozzle for the job to the pressure washing wand. Consider whether you are soft or regular pressure washing, then choose the corresponding nozzle for the job. Then, pull down the collar at the end of the wand and press the nozzle into place. Let go of the collar, and you should hear a click.
Before you start pressure washing, you’ll need to release the air trapped in the system to allow the water to flow through. To do this, turn on the water at the hose bib or spigot, then squeeze the trigger of the pressure washer wand to release the air.
With the machine fueled and the excess air released, you’re now ready to start the pressure washer.
Follow these steps to start a gas pressure washer:
Open the fuel valve.
Open the choke by moving it to the left.
Push the throttle to the left.
Flip on the engine switch.
Pull the engine cord while squeezing the pressure washer trigger.
Close the choke.
Now, you can grab the pressure washer gun and squeeze it to begin pressure washing. Here’s an important pressure washing tip to remember: Keep moving with the pressure washer. If you need to pause, give the trigger a squeeze at least once per minute. Otherwise, the pressure washer could overheat.
If you have a pressure washer with a cord, make sure to plug it into an outlet before turning the key or pressing the button on the pressure washer. Let the machine run for a few seconds before switching the choke to the halfway position. Then, let the pressure washer run for another few seconds before shutting the choke.
Make sure to grip the pressure washing gun with both hands and point it toward an inconspicuous place right before starting it to avoid damaging anything vulnerable.
If you want your pressure washer to start up without sputtering or stalling, it’s important to maintain it properly. These pressure washer maintenance tips will keep your machine running for many years to come.
Release pressure after each use.
Rinse out excess water and detergent after each use.
Clean out nozzles regularly to avoid buildup.
Store the high-pressure hose in a neat coil to avoid kinks and cracks.
Inspect oil levels on gas models and change the oil after each 20 hours of use.
Add stabilizers to the gas in a pressure washer when preparing to store it for between one and three months.
Drain the fuel entirely before storing gas pressure washers for three or more months.
Change the air filter in a gas pressure washer at least once per year.
Inspect pressure washers closely each season and make repairs as needed.
When you’re sitting on the porch and notice a pesky stain on the driveway, it’s tempting to grab the pressure washer and blast the stain away. While pressure washing something yourself can be convenient, there are pros and cons to DIY pressure washing.
You could save $50 to $150 per hour if you’ve already purchased a pressure washer. However, if you need to buy or rent the equipment, you could spend $35 to $175 per day. Then, there’s the risk of damaging your property and spending more to fix it. By leaving this project to a power washing pro near you, you can trust that your home and hardscaping will look shiny and new without worrying about broken windows or cracks in the siding from a DIY pressure washing job gone wrong.
It’s important to always start a pressure washer with water running through it to prevent damaging the unit. If you try to start the pressure washer without water, the interior will heat up, the gaskets will melt, and the motor will overheat and wear out. Pressure washers should last for 500 hours of use time, but running a pressure washer dry could require you to replace the unit sooner.
If your pressure washer isn’t starting, check the fuel source first. Make sure the electric model is plugged in or its battery is charged. For gas models, make sure to top off the fuel before you try to turn on the pressure washer. Debris buildup or corrosion can also prevent different parts of the pressure washer, like the spark plugs or the carburetor, from working properly, so inspect and clean your unit seasonally to keep it running smoothly.
You can let a pressure washer idle safely for about a minute or two. Never let the pressure washer idle for more than two or three minutes because the motor will heat the water and interior of the pressure washer, which could overheat the entire machine. When cold water finally rushes in from the water source once you pull the trigger again, the difference in temperatures can cause cracks and other damage to parts inside the pressure washer.
