# Buying a pressure washer

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-pressure-washer/511745>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [September 27, 2009, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-pressure-washer/511745 "2009-09-27T13:06:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2009, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-pressure-washer/511745/1 "2009-09-27T13:06:13Z")

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For home use on our deck, siding, concrete walkway, etc. What’s a good PSI? I see models from 2200 - 3500. Anyone have any experience? Are there any other features I should look for or avoid?

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**Author:** ![longPath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bb73d2/32.png) [@longPath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/longPath)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2009, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-pressure-washer/511745/2 "2009-09-27T13:12:17Z")

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I have a (honda) gas powered one. It’s a basic home-owner model. Not sure of the pressure or flow but my friend who has an electric one regrets not going for the gas.

It’s amazing how many things you can clean with a pressure washer.

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**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2009, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-pressure-washer/511745/3 "2009-09-28T15:51:25Z")

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There is a “cleaning factor” you can figure out on most pressure washers. I forget how to calculate it, something to do with PSI multiplied by GPM, and this somehow converts into how many square feet you can expect to clean in 5 minutes. PSI alone doesn’t clean, you need enough water to wash away the dirt. I have a 1600 PSI 1.6 GPM electric washer I use for small things like the sidewalk and cement steps. It’s simply quicker to get out and set up and MUCH quieter than the gas one. I have a 2600 PSI 2.6 GPM gas one for cleaning the driveway.