General Rent or Buy a Pressure Washer?

[Fan_of_Fanboys]

Looking for some advice. At a bare minimum, I’d use a pressure washer on:

• Driveway
• Sidewalks
• Side of the house (about 2x a year)
• Painted wood deck and patio (at least once a year)

If I owned one, I’d likely clean the deck/patio twice a year and also wash my vehicles and boat as needed. That said, I’m not interested in an electric model or something with high annual maintenance.

Over a 5+ year window, would I be better off just using a car wash for the vehicles and renting a pressure washer twice a year for the rest? Or is it worth investing in one for ownership?

Would appreciate any insight from those who’ve done the math

 

[Rambo John J]

Depend on the per hour rate for rental

Belt driven is best, but they cost a few grand. You can leave engine on while not pressure washing. Pump temp remains cooler.

Shaft driven works great but you really shouldn't leave engine on long when you aren't running water thru the pump(spraying water). Shaft spins some gears the pump which create heat that is best relieved with cool water running thru it at all times or as steady as possible.

I have a higher end shaft driven, it is powerful enough to do most jobs. Sometimes I wish I had purchased a belt driven beast so I could just set it down to move stuff instead of turning the engine off and restarting it.

Mine is 12 years old and I haven't replaced anything, Honda Engine on a little cart with a decent sized pump.

 

[Greenbean]

I've owned an electric. They're really convenient and quiet. But they freeze in the winter. Mine ended up breaking. My work has a Westinghouse that's a workhorse.

Now I have a gas power washer. Kind of a pita to be pulling the cord to start it up compared to just pressing a button. The gas ones are simple machines and you don't have to spend a whole lot to get one that should hold up fine for over 5 years.

I think I spent about $300 for a Husqvarna a year or two ago. I'd buy one.

 

[Fan_of_Fanboys]

shaft driven

shocking

but yeah, it seems like what you have, and want, is able my ownership needs

 

[Rambo John J]

I think electric ones incorporate more air into the mix than gas ones, might be less powerful. Don't quote me on that. Kind of like an air compressor with some water mixed in. No idea though, never had one or done comparisons.

 

[MountainMedic]

I have this one

2000 PSI, 1.3 GPM Max Performance Electric Pressure Washer

Amazing deals on this 2000 Psi Electric Pressure Washer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Got it for $120 during a parking lot sale.
Pretty much used it for the same as you listed for over 5 years.

Not super expensive, a sale will roll around. Storage is kinda a pia when not in use. Read instructions so you don't cave in the impeller, lol.

 

[Fan_of_Fanboys]

they freeze in the winter.

I have seen snow twice in 8 years, melting by noon. But I do prefer gas. I love the ability to fix and the longevity

 

[mysticmac]

Given what you've listed, I'd buy one.

 

[MountainMedic]

I think electric ones incorporate more air into the mix than gas ones, might be less powerful

Maybe so, but you could carve your name into my deck with that one if you weren't careful.

 

[Fan_of_Fanboys]

I have this one

2000 PSI, 1.3 GPM Max Performance Electric Pressure Washer

Amazing deals on this 2000 Psi Electric Pressure Washer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Got it for $120 during a parking lot sale.
Pretty much used it for the same as you listed for over 5 years.

Not super expensive, a sale will roll around. Storage is kinda a pia when not in use. Read instructions so you don't cave in the impeller, lol.

Even $190 is not bad. HF is weird, just requires research. best jack on the market $ for $ is HF, maybe regardless of cost. Other random items break on the way home. but people shit on them without understanding the value they have

That might be better than buying a $600 Honda

 

[MountainMedic]

For certain things, like predator generators, they are absolutely the best value. I totally think this one is what your looking for. Electric is way quieter, the cord is a hassle but your already pulling hose so I just do it together. And you can just set it down without turning everything off.

Unless you're married to gas, which I get. I just didn't think I wanted yet another engine to maintain.

 

[Rambo John J]

Maybe so, but you could carve your name into my deck with that one if you weren't careful.

For sure
Can eat thru wood, would be interested in comparisons on different surfaces.

Pressurized air is a beast, no doubting that.
I have never used one so really have no idea.

 

[Fan_of_Fanboys]

2650 PSI, 2.4 GPM, 5.6 HP (196cc) Pressure Washer, EPA

Amazing deals on this 2650 Psi, 2.4 Gpm Gas-Powered Pressure Washer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

That is interesting. I honestly prefer gas: I feel like long-term ownership is cheaper and maintainable. I would like 3000 PSI/3.5GPM, but not sure that is available at that price point

 

[MountainMedic]

2650 PSI, 2.4 GPM, 5.6 HP (196cc) Pressure Washer, EPA

Amazing deals on this 2650 Psi, 2.4 Gpm Gas-Powered Pressure Washer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

That is interesting. I honestly prefer gas: I feel like long-term ownership is cheaper and maintainable. I would like 3000 PSI/3.5GPM, but not sure that is available at that price point

Been more than enough for me as a home owner. Comes with 3 different tips that are handy.

All the ones I've ever used before that one were at different jobs and all electric, I've only ever owned that one. So I have little to compare it too.

 

[sparkuri]

Buy.
90-day return policy....

Run shit like a sparkuri 🤣😂

 

[IschKabibble]

The cheap electronic ones work surpsingly well. Just don't expect the widest angle stream. And forget using a surface attachment with one. If I have to do a big job I'll grab a rental, but otherwise cheap one is my go-to.


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0dELyQLhvoU

 

[IschKabibble]

View: https://youtu.be/_fhL_vAc1RQ?t=42

 

[jason73]

I've owned an electric. They're really convenient and quiet. But they freeze in the winter. Mine ended up breaking. My work has a Westinghouse that's a workhorse.

Now I have a gas power washer. Kind of a pita to be pulling the cord to start it up compared to just pressing a button. The gas ones are simple machines and you don't have to spend a whole lot to get one that should hold up fine for over 5 years.

I think I spent about $300 for a Husqvarna a year or two ago. I'd buy one.

everything freezes in the winter if you dont winterize it properly

 

[Uncle Tom Doug]

Buy one. Every straight American man should own one.

 

[Bungee up]

Looking for some advice. At a bare minimum, I’d use a pressure washer on:

• Driveway
• Sidewalks
• Side of the house (about 2x a year)
• Painted wood deck and patio (at least once a year)

If I owned one, I’d likely clean the deck/patio twice a year and also wash my vehicles and boat as needed. That said, I’m not interested in an electric model or something with high annual maintenance.

Over a 5+ year window, would I be better off just using a car wash for the vehicles and renting a pressure washer twice a year for the rest? Or is it worth investing in one for ownership?

Would appreciate any insight from those who’ve done the math

If you're going to use it more than once a year and you have the room for it then buy one.
They're pretty cheap.

 

[NiteProwleR]

View: https://youtu.be/_fhL_vAc1RQ?t=42

I found one of these somewhere. I forgot where. Someone must of thrown it away. My brother said it was working perfect and it is to this day. It shoots like a mother. Someone must've just not known how to use it. Driveways are funny. I've never cleaned mine and it is not black like these videos show. Even then, slowly cleaning a driveway foot by foot is ridiculous and I wouldn't waste a day doing it myself, ever. Gutters, brick, siding, motor crafts, yes. Gas seems commercial. OP looking to blow through competing boat hulls getting too close to his new paint job?

 

[IschKabibble]

I found one of these somewhere. I forgot where. Someone must of thrown it away. My brother said it was working perfect and it is to this day. It shoots like a mother. Someone must've just not known how to use it. Driveways are funny. I've never cleaned mine and it is not black like these videos show. Even then, slowly cleaning a driveway foot by foot is ridiculous and I wouldn't waste a day doing it myself, ever. Gutters, brick, siding, motor crafts, yes. Gas seems commercial. OP looking to blow through competing boat hulls getting too close to his new paint job?

Concrete grows serious mold in Florida. Then it gets really slippery when it rains.

 

[IschKabibble]

It's like walking on a coat of slime

 

[IschKabibble]

Like a death trap just trying to walk into your house

 

[Wiggy]

Do you have kids?

Because if you buy one, when you're not using it, you can have your kid use it to pressure wash neighbor's shit as a side-hustle & teach him some life skills in the process.