HOW DO I SELECT THE RIGHT POWER WASHER FOR ME?

There are three questions you should ask yourself when determining what kind of pressure washer is right for you.  The first question is, “Where do I intend to use the power washer?  At home or at work?”  Typically, you don’t need as powerful of a pressure washer for your personal use at home as you might on a job site.  Household jobs for example, shouldn’t need a machine larger than 3000 PSI, whereas 3000 PSI would be minimal for jobsite usage.
Another helpful question to ask yourself is, “What do I want to clean?”  If you are expecting to use your power washer for basic household jobs such as driveways, patio furniture, decks and etc. you can get by with a unit that offers relatively low pressure (2500 PSI).  If you’re plans are a little bit more daring such as blasting mold or mildew off of concrete or prepping the house for painting you should consider a unit with higher pressure.
Lastly, how much cleaning will you be doing?  Will you be cleaning large surface spaces?  If the answer is yes, you should consider a unit offering a higher GPM.  More water means more cleaning power!  A higher GMP will get the job done quicker.

WHAT CREATES PRESSURE ON MY PRESSURE WASHER?

The nozzle is what creates the pressure and also the spray pattern of your pressure washer. If you have the incorrect nozzle you may not get the full potential out of the machine. Always make sure that your pressure washer nozzle is clean and free of debris.

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH NOZZLE TO USE?

There are up to five different quick connect nozzle spray tips, four high pressure and
one low pressure “Soap” nozzle. The operator can select a high pressure nozzle
spray pattern which best suits the cleaning application. Note: Cleaning solutions cannot be applied with high pressure spray tips (Red, Yellow, Green or White)

THE BLASTER: (RED)

Provides a concentrated spot of high pressure water allowing you to be further from the surface being cleaned and to blast off stubborn material. USE CAUTIONwith this nozzle as the force available will actually penetrate soft materials or surfaces. Use for reaching high areas such as under eaves. Cleaning tar, chewing gum etc. from sidewalks. Breaking up large areas of loose paint to allow stripping nozzle to get under surface. Removing excess mortar from brick construction. Removing rust flakes from steel.

THE STRIPPER: (YELLOW)

Provides a narrow fan of concentrated water pressure for removing paint, mildew, etc. By testing several angles between the spray and the surface being worked, the best angle may quickly be identified. Use to remove loose paint from wood, masonry, metal, etc. Remove heavy oxidation, mildew, and marine growth from boats, etc. Clean heavy equipment.

THE CLEANER (GREEN)

Provides a wider fan for pressure cleaning and rinsing. Use for removing mildew, light to medium oxidation, and dirt from aluminum siding. Rinse stripped areas. General light cleaning in preparation for painting.

THE RINSER (WHITE)

Provides a wide fan for cleaning and rinsing.Use for general wash-down, light cleaning, rinsing off chemicals used in building restoration, and sweeping driveways and parking areas.

THE SOAPER (BLACK)

A low pressure nozzle used to apply cleaning solutions. Note: Cleaning solutions cannot be applied with high pressure spray tips (Red, Yellow, Green or White)

IS PSI OR GPM MORE IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER?

The answer is both.  PSI and GMP work together and the right combination is important depending on your pressure washing needs.
PSI stands for “Pounds per Square Inch” and refers to the amount of pressure that the respective machine can produce.
GPM stands for “Gallons per Minute” and refers to the amount of water coming from the unit.
To clean productively, a pressure washer should be doing two things: stripping or scrubbing and rinsing.  This is what sets a pressure washer apart from a regular garden hose. PSI exerts the pressure to “strip” or scrub off the dirt while GPM is the rinsing power that washes the dirt away. The combination of PSI and GPM results in “Cleaning Units” or CU.  This is a way for you to measure the overall performance of the machine and compare efficiency of one to another.  Cleaning units is calculated by multiplying PSI and GPM.
Example:
A pressure washer with 3000 PSI and 2.0 GPM has 6000 Cleaning Units.
A pressure washer with 2700 PSI and 3.0 GPM has 8100 Cleaning Units.
This example points out an important fact.  Higher PSI does not mean it’s necessarily “better”. GPM is usually more important to a commercial user because chemicals are typically involved when the machine is intended for professional purposes.  Since the chemicals are working to break up the grime, the flow, or GPM, is more important because it is needed to rinse the debris away, and quickly.  It all depends on the task at hand.  If you are confused, refer to the section above titled, “How do I select the right pressure washer for me?”

HOW DO I KNOW IF I SHOUL D BUY A HOT- OR COLD-WATER PRESSURE WASHER?

Application is the major factor when debating a hot- or cold-water pressure washer. A cold-water machine is great for removing dirt on almost any surface.  Unique jobs can be tackled with certain accessories and attachments such as high pressure nozzles, rotating brushes, detergent applicators and etc. These will also decrease your cleaning time.
However, jobs involving grease or oil are better tackled with a hot water machine.  Another reason to consider a hot-water unit is if you will be using the machine for many hours each week.  You can save a lot of time and labor expense by replacing a cold-water unit for hot.

SHOULD I CHOOSE A BELT DRIVE OR DIRECT DRIVE?

Belt driven pressure washers are generally for commercial use because a belt driven pump is ideal for cleaning applications that are over 20 hours per week.  On a belt drive unit, the high pressure pump has less RPS than a direct drive, reducing heat and vibration, which in turn minimizes internal wear and tear.
If you are using your pressure washer less than 20 hours per week a direct drive unit you may be better suited for a direct drive machine.  They are typically more cost effective, lighter in comparison and therefore easier to transport.

HOW DO I WINTERIZE MY PRESSURE WASHER?

There are several ways to protect your investment from the harsh winter elements.  You can store your pressure washer in a warm, sheltered area to prevent freezing of the water that remains in the pump.  When the water freezes it expands, causing internal parts of your pump to burst.
If you can’t store your pressure washer in a heated area you should run an environmentally safe anti-freeze through the pump.  An easy way to do this is to take a short piece of garden hose with a male connector and attach it to the pump.  Attach a funnel to the other end pour in the anti-freeze; pull the engine over until you see the anti-freeze exiting the pump.  Don’t forget your high pressure hose and gun too!
See our PUMP WINTERIZING KITS!

WHAT ACCESSORIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR MY SIMPSON PRESSURE WASHER?

MONSTER HOSE® WITH 2-PIECE COUPLERS

Monster Hose from Simpson is the pinnacle of cold-water hose technology. Manufactured with the toughest inner tube, reinforced with Dual-Braid Technology, and covered in a clear polyurethane 'non-marring' outer jacket.  Monster Hose is the best hose you can buy for your cold-water pressure washer. Available in custom lengths as Special Orders. Hoses are terminated with QC Connectors rigid / swivel connectors and 6" black bend connectors. Rated up to 140º Fahrenheit.

ARMOR HOSE

Wrapped hose is a great Cold-Water or Hot-Water Pressure Washer Hose. Wrapped Hose is made with a tough inner tube and is overbraided with a durable steel braid for strength. Wrapped Hose is covered in an abrasion resistant outer jacket in non-marking gray. This Hose is terminated with QC Couplers & rigid / swivel fittingswith 6" bend protectors. Designed for water temperatures up to 250° Fahrenheit.

THERMAL RUBBER HOSE

The Thermal Rubber hose is a great cold-water pressure washer hose. This hose is made with a tough inner tube, reinforced with Dual-Braid Technology, and covered with a gray 'non-marring' thermal rubber outer jacket. This hose is terminated with QC Connectors and rigid / swivel fittings with 6" black bend protectors. 3/8" Hose is equipped with Two-Piece QC couplers. This hose is designed for water temperature up to 140º Fahrenheit.

HIGH PRESSURE CHEMICAL INJECTOR

Used to apply detergents and cleaning chemicals to the work surface at HIGH PRESSURE. This Injector automatically produces a 10:1 Water-to-Chemical ratio. Includes a 30" black isolation hose. 3000 PSI HIGH PRESSURE CHEMICAL INJECTOR, HOT OR COLD WATER

LOW PRESSURE CHEMICAL INJECTORS

Used to apply detergents and cleaning chemicals to the work surface at LOW PRESSURE. These Injectors automatically produce a 10:1 Water-to-Chemical ratio.  4000 PSI hot or cold water.

HIGH CAPACITY ACID INJECTOR

For use with caustic chemicals such as muriatic acid or aluminum brightener. Connects to the end of the gunvalve extension so that chemicals do not pass through the discharge hose or the gunvalve. A metering valve adjusts the ratio for the solution, and chemical is applied at a 4:1 ratio or better. Includes a 316 Stainless Steel nozzle attachment, 15º, 40º, and 65º spray nozzles. A clear plastic chemical hose and solid brass filter are included with every injector. Use with any pressure washer from 1000 to 5000 PSI.

WET ABRASIVE SANDBLASTER KITS

Wet sandblasting is more efficient than dry sand blasting, and does not create dust! This tool easily removes tough stains, rust, multiple layers of paint, and graffiti. The Kit includes an Aluminum Sand Probe, four (4) air flow nozzles, 50' of clear plastic sand supply hose, and three (3) Ceramic or Boron sand nozzles. Be sure to order the right Kit that contains the size and type of nozzle you want!

TRIGGER GUN EXTENSION WANDS AND TELESCOPING EXTENSIONS

Get to hard-to-reach places (second stories, eaves, soffits, etc.) without using a ladder or scaffolding. Simpson offers two versions (10 ft. and 18 ft.) for machines up to 4000 PSI. Optional Arm Saver and Arm Saver Belt allows user to transfer weight of telescoping extension to the belt. Arm Saver clamps to the extension pole, and rubber foot is placed into the belt cup. All models include angled extension with female 1/4" Quick Connect Socket for attaching nozzles, and attached trigger gun with Quick Connect to attach Pressure Washer Hose to the Gun.

Trigger Guns

All Simpson gunvalves are rugged and dependable industry standard models with high impact plastic framers and stainless steel construction.
S4000 Series is rated up to 4000 PSI
S5000 Series is rated up to 5000 PSI
14000 Series is rated up to 4000 PSI, and is used on telescoping extensions and surface cleaners.

GUNVALVE CONNECTORS

Simpson's gunvalve connectors provide universal QC connections from gun to hose.

GUNVALVE SWIVELS

Simpson's brass and stainless steel swivels will prevent the high pressure hose from twisting and binding.

PREMIUM THRU-HARDENED STAINLESS STEEL NOZZLE KITS

These nozzle kits are ideal for 2000 - 5000 PSI pressure machines, and have a stainless steel QC Plug. Each Kit contains one of each nozzle type, color coded for easy identification!

LOW PRESSURE SOAP NOZZLE

This low pressure soap nozzle is used to apply cleaning solutions. Brass QC Plug 60º low pressure nozzle is Black.

SPECIALTY CLEANING NOZZLES - WATER BLASTER (HOT OR COLD)

This special nozzle creates a circular pattern that has the cleaning power of a 0º with the coverage of a 15º tip. Makes cleaning and stripping of old paint a breeze. Rated for machines up to 5000 PSI and can be used with Hot Water machines.

PUMP WINTERIZING KITS

These kits connect to your QC plug on the water inlet and allow you to siphon anti-freeze into the pump.

LARGE AREA SURFACE CLEANERS

Cleaning large areas like wood decks, sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots has never been easier.  The Simpson HYDRO SCRUB II comes in a 18" & 20" diameter circular spray pattern, and cleans up to ten times faster than a standard cleaning nozzle.  Both versions can be used with cold or hot water machines, and are rated up to 4000 PSI.