The Best Pressure Washer for Driveways, Patios & Roof Cleaning [2023]
We venture into business and can see the opportunity of owning a pressure washing business.
From driveway cleaning, roofs and even commercial cleaning projects.
Automation maybe coming to many industries including service based business, but people will always need external cleaning, something machines will not be able to take over quite yet.
In the UK over the last 10 years especially pressure washing for homeowners has been a service they have been looking for professionally to take care of because it can be such back breaking work without the right equipment.
Driveways can get dirty over time, especially if they're made of tarmac or block paving often struggling with moss growth.
Cleaning a driveway professionally requires the right pressure washer to get the job done effectively and efficiently.
In this blog post, we'll take a look at the best pressure washers for different types of driveway cleaning, as well as what you need to start your own pressure washing business.
Best Pressure Washing Equipment for Driveway Cleaning
Block paving driveways are a popular choice, but they can be difficult to clean.
The best pressure washer for this type of cleaning is one with a high enough pressure but most importantly a HIGH Flow rate!
PSI is the pressure that the water produced by the pressure washing pump and ultimately the end of your pressure washing lance.
There is a slight loss in pressure the longer the hose that is fitted, but this is not really much of a concern with a high quality pressure washing equipment.
The problem can lay with how we thing, often we assume more pressure equals faster cleaning?
This is not always the case. A machine with the ability to produce 2200-2500psi will clean a block paved driveway just fine. It's the flow rate that make our job easy when we clean driveways.
I found the best pressure washer for a professional business is a machine that can produce around 3000psi or 200Bar with a flow rate of 21LPM.
A machine of this size is powerful enough to cover most residential cleaning projects in an effectively without wasting much time. It can even cover most commercial projects too.
Having a Down stream injector for your pressure washing equipment is a must.
Your pressure washer should have a soap dispenser too.
This is known as a down stream injector.
In short this function will allow your pressure washer to dispense soaps and apply detergent to help remove stubborn stains.
There is a learning curve with this type of equipment but one of the fastest ways to get yourself into soft washing as downstream injecting only works at lower pressures which is a whole different conversation.
For driveway cleaning in the UK we recommend a Honda GX390 engine machine with an interpump 21LPM pump.
The Best Pressure Washer for Patio Cleaning
Patios can be made of different materials, such as concrete, stone, or wood and as you might imagine these material are more delicate compared with block paving.
If your only cleaning small patios your can get away with a low flow rate machine.
The best pressure washer for patio cleaning is one with a moderate PSI, so you don't damage the surface.
By choosing a large opening tip, you will reduce the pressure of the machine and clean with a different fan pattern to suit multiple surfaces.
Pressure Washing Equipment Needed When Starting A Cleaning Business
Starting a pressure washing business requires more than just a pressure washer.
You'll also need a water source, such as a garden hose or a water tank which often comes in the form of a wheelie bin. Or better yet a water tank mounted in your van.
Other equipment you may need includes a surface cleaner with will allow you to cover larger areas with a more consistent clean.
With this you’ll also want a quick connection ball valve so you can easily switch between a your surface cleaning and high pressure lance without having to turn off your pressure washer!
Consider your budget and the type of jobs you'll be doing, so you can choose the right equipment for your needs.
Add Soft wash Equipment As Your Business Grows
Not just your business.
But as YOU grow and become more efficient in your cleaning and business, you’ll also want to improve your efficiency.
Soft washing can certainly help you do that.
Soft washing uses low-pressure water and cleaning solutions to gently remove dirt and grime from surfaces, without damaging them.
This is particularly important for cleaning delicate surfaces, such as roofs, wooden decks and natural stone patios with delicate jointing.
We recommend one of our 12v soft wash systems and blend manifolds to get yourself into soft washing.
If your a little further down the line consider one of our custom soft wash skids.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, choosing the right pressure washer is crucial for effective and efficient driveway cleaning. From block paving to patios, there are several options available to suit your specific needs.
We believe you should buy the right equipment first time round.
So if your looking to set up your own pressure washing business and you need a machine that can handle the heavy jobs you can throw at it.
WE have put together a Foundational Pressure Washing Package.
After years of experience, I can spec’d up a machine I wish I bought when I started out.
To order your pressure washer and start your business with a professional level machine.
