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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: richyp on April 13, 2009, 03:17:32 pm

Title: best pressure washer
Post by: richyp on April 13, 2009, 03:17:32 pm
i need a pressure washer to take tfr from guttering and also need it to do drive ways etc, does anyone know of any  ones suitable for these purposes?
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: outdoor restore on April 13, 2009, 03:46:35 pm
For doing driveways/patios you will want 3000psi and 15lpm, I would always buy honda engine if you're using it professionally.  The one omnipole sell is the right spec for domestic driveways, have a look at dual pumps; jetwash direct; malcleanse have a very informative site.  The above is over spec'd for guttering so it depends on what your going to use it for most, any cheapish pressure washer would probably do the guttering, the smaller ones can run off an outside tap where the larger versions will need a feeder tank to suck from.

Neil
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: richyp on April 13, 2009, 03:57:54 pm
hi neil, i will be using forbit of both, can you not turn the pressure down for the guttering and can i use my tank in van to supply water?
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: ftp on April 13, 2009, 04:08:23 pm
How many lpm does the average domestic tap deliver? Been thinking of investing in a quality one myself that will run from the custies tap if possible with a lance or powerpole but am unsure of the performance of them. Quite like the Kranzle range.
All new to me.  :)
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: Glyn H on April 13, 2009, 04:24:45 pm
"The average domestic tap" usually will not deliver enoth water to feed a professional grade pressure washer.
A platic tub or barrel  of about 50 litres is ideal as a feed tank you simply connect  to the customers outside tap and fill the tub or barrel drop the pressure washers feed hose (usually 3/4" or 1" hose) into the barrel and start cleaning - sometimes if the customers feed is slow then after a while you will need to wait for the barrel to get fairly full again.
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: ftp on April 13, 2009, 04:36:58 pm
Not even enough for gutter and fascia washing?
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: outdoor restore on April 13, 2009, 04:42:05 pm
hi neil, i will be using forbit of both, can you not turn the pressure down for the guttering and can i use my tank in van to supply water?

Yes you can turn the pressure down on the commercial units, the only point I was making was if you're not doing a lot of driveways/patios then the expense of a honda unit might not be warranted.
My pressure washer is connected to one side of my 500l tank with wfp connected to the other side.
Neil
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: richyp on April 13, 2009, 04:44:19 pm
can u not just drop a pipe in the tank and just suck it out? how much is a good one?
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: Glyn H on April 13, 2009, 04:45:15 pm
It depends how many litres per minute you want.
For very soiled fascia and blocked down pipes then you require a greater flow rate.
A lower flow rate and pressure machine will do the job but it will take longer to acheive the desired result. If you have plenty of time to do the job then its not a problem, but if you have a full workbook then the time factor is important.
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: outdoor restore on April 13, 2009, 04:47:32 pm
Not even enough for gutter and fascia washing?

I would have thought that you would be ok for domestic gutter/fascia cleaning, pressure washers made for domestic use are designed to be run from tap and would provide more than enough flow/pressure for domestic gutter fascia cleaning if not a 60-120l wheelie bin makes a superb "header tank".  Make sure the high pressure hose fittings will be compatable with lance etc.

Neil
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: outdoor restore on April 13, 2009, 04:51:48 pm
can u not just drop a pipe in the tank and just suck it out? how much is a good one?


Yes you can just drop a pipe in, but I think they only recommend 3m or so on the pick up feed.  If you are doing drives/patios you will probably want the pressure washer on the floor (off the van) so then a wheelie bin works really well.  Mine is mounted on my pick up but it means I use a lot more hp hose
Don't know current costs, but if you look at any of the sites I mentioned in earlier post I'm sure they'll have prices.  As I said before the omnipole one is right spec imo.
Neil
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: Glyn H on April 13, 2009, 04:55:28 pm
Quote
how much is a good one?
The question is relative to your personal budget, its like asking how much is a good car.
An adequate machine that can be expected to cope on professional contracts can be had for under a £1000.00 inc Vat.  
A good machine for industrial cleaning will set you back between £6,000 - £12,000
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: ftp on April 13, 2009, 04:58:19 pm
Thanks, i have a vac and gennie but little space to carry much more. I was thinking of buying a quality electric pressure washer for blasting finials on conservatories and outside gutters and fascias as these items seem so time consuming with wfp. I know nothing about pressure washers so it's all new to me. I did use a customers washer for the finials on his roof the other week and it seemed so much quicker and effective. I'm not interested in driveways etc. I'm not about to go into commercial cleaning.

Sorry to hijack your post Rich!
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: richyp on April 13, 2009, 05:08:27 pm
no probs i am taking it all in m8
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: outdoor restore on April 13, 2009, 05:29:59 pm
We use the Cobra GX160

dualpumps.co.uk/pages/pressure_washers/pressure_washer_subs/cobra.htm (http://dualpumps.co.uk/pages/pressure_washers/pressure_washer_subs/cobra.htm)


Fantastic for gutters (Omnipole's power pole hose is rated at 150 bar so this machine is great as you can adjust the pressure and not overload the hose) - works off customers tap or from a barrell. If the flow is slow from a customers tap connect it to the van inlet and take water from a lower feed or syphon from wfp tank.  

We use a 20"whirlaway on patios and driveways etc and it does a great job, not a quick as a really big machine but its lighter, easier to lug, and staff can't damage the equipment by setting the pressure too high either. anything bigger is snobbery LOL

A great all round machine.

First time ever been called a snob for having a bigger pressure washer!!

Neil
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: kevin James on April 13, 2009, 05:50:24 pm
Thanks, i have a vac and gennie but little space to carry much more. I was thinking of buying a quality electric pressure washer for blasting finials on conservatories and outside gutters and fascias as these items seem so time consuming with wfp. I know nothing about pressure washers so it's all new to me. I did use a customers washer for the finials on his roof the other week and it seemed so much quicker and effective. I'm not interested in driveways etc. I'm not about to go into commercial cleaning.

Sorry to hijack your post Rich!

Dave,
You show me your sl2 & I'll invite you to a gutter wash using a kranzle 1160 & powerpole. You're right, it's much quicker on finials, plus with very little time input a whole house can look lovely. I only use my vac on desperate gutters.

Kevin. 
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: Glyn H on April 13, 2009, 05:56:00 pm
Hi Kevin
You have  the GX 160- 5.5 Hp 12Lpm model?
Unfortunatly due to the weak £ against the euro their has just been a price increse on them due to the Italian manufactured interpump..
The 12 lpm one is now £828.18 with the vat £952.40 so still under the £1000.00 I stated above It is a very good machine.
We selected the GX340 11HP engine for our guttervac package because many of our customers use the machines for paving and brick/stone cleaning as well as gutters , and the extra hP puts less strain on the machine on long working days.
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: ftp on April 13, 2009, 05:59:38 pm
Kev J, what do you think of this? Is it too small for the job? I could run it off my generator, probably squeeze it into my van or trailer and suck from a tank or tap and use custies electric. Would like to see a washer in action.

http://www.kranzle.co.uk/index.php?page=7-120
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: kevin James on April 13, 2009, 06:07:40 pm
dave,
Sorry, think of what?
The kranzle is 11 l/m & 150 bar. It needs at least 5 kva genny but will run off rlthe custies tap if their pressure is good. It has autostop so less demand on electric, petrol & water. I also use it on medium sized patios. (Reasonably quick, you can earn £30-£40 an hour on patios)

Kevin.
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: ftp on April 13, 2009, 06:33:43 pm
http://www.kranzle.co.uk/index.php?page=7-120   this little one. I was a bit slow putting the link up.  :)


http://www.kranzle.co.uk/index.php?page=portables  the K7 and a telescopic lance of some sort.
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: richyp on April 13, 2009, 07:01:03 pm
cant find a cobra 160??
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: kevin James on April 13, 2009, 07:04:32 pm
dave,
Aye a nice useful machine. Excellent for gutters though it would be worth buying the optional dirtbuster turbo extension. Are you aware that Mole Valley sells these?
A 24 ft powerpole would be ideal for most 3 storey work/consevatories.

Kevin
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: richyp on April 13, 2009, 07:26:38 pm
what machine r we talking about. i need a pressure washer and a power pole for guttering.. how much for both?
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: kevin James on April 13, 2009, 09:06:16 pm
what machine r we talking about. i need a pressure washer and a power pole for guttering.. how much for both?

A smaller kranzle, which are very reliable we're talking 15 years easily, suitable for gutters only is around £350. A new powerpole with gutter hook, high pressure handle & hose for around £550. ( mind you, i bought mine 31/2 tests ago!)
I'm sure Glynn, posting here, can give you a more accurate figure.
This price also included a brush head so you can wfp. But it will build your muscles up!

Kevin. 
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: ftp on April 13, 2009, 09:14:37 pm
Sorry Rich, I was talking to Kev James about the Kranzle whilst another Kev (KevR) is talking about the Honda petrol washer. The Honda is higher spec and a higher price £800+. The Kranzle is electric and although top quality is lesser spec and more the type of size I think I need for my use.

Kev J, yes I have seen a different model in Mole Valley. Before I went into windowcleaning I had thought about pressure washing and visited a Guy in Melksham who sold kranzles. He was very helpfull but I didn't think it was a path I wanted to go down at the time because I needed return customers and some guarantee of earnings.
I'm now in a position to do my add ons alongside the windows and have got all the kit I need apart from a washer. Still not convinced I actually need it but if it makes my work easier with the right tools then I might splash out.
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: kevin James on April 13, 2009, 09:50:55 pm
Dave,
A small point. When I first started I only had 10m of hose & had to move everything to do t'other side of house. 30 m of extension saved a lot of time & hassle.
If you buy from kranzle directly they were selling 10m of hose for £15. That's a bargain!(you need joiners at a couple of quid)

Kevin.
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: Nathanael Jones on April 13, 2009, 10:57:04 pm
I've a 13HP 4000psi machine,... I'd never go for a smaller one again!

The only downside is that it drinks the water faster than the average tap will fill it,.. I start off with a full 1000 litre tank (On a specially built twin axle trailer) and with the tap running full I normally get 3 or 4 hours constant before it runs dry. By then its time for a tea break anyway. :)
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: karygate on April 14, 2009, 07:29:11 am
i have a 13hp 4500 psi foriegn made pressure washer. 2 years and still going strong and it cost me a fraction of a honda one. just had to go to a local man by me to change the connections but more than paid for itself.
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: trevor povey on April 14, 2009, 04:55:33 pm
i need a pressure washer to take tfr from guttering and also need it to do drive ways etc, does anyone know of any  ones suitable for these purposes?

Richy P

 Re powerwashers...after banging my head against a wall, asking questions to numerous posters on various forums and wasting time ringing around suppliers I eventually purchased a BRENDON powerwasher Ref 15kpg ,it has the Honda GX 160 engine in it which is the far better range that  Honda does.

I,ve used it on a couple of jobs for washing down downpipes at 30 foot with a powerpole and had  no problems what so ever...if anything I,d say it was probably too powerful for the job.

I,m based In Yorkshire and purchased the machine from Rodgers Plant Hire in Huddersfield at a cost of £650 plus vat I Know they have some more shops In Manchester or alternatively look on Brendon's site and see if there is someone closer to you   regards povey.
Title: Re: best pressure washer
Post by: richyp on April 15, 2009, 06:00:22 pm
cheers trevor pal