A pressure washer is an indispensable and convenient cleaning equipment that you can invest in. It allows you to deep clean your home’s exterior, vehicles, and more, without the need to scrub manually and get your hands dirty.
You can find a plethora of power washers available, and each one comes with particular tools. You need to replace these components if you want to maximize the performance of your machine. This is especially true when it comes to pressure washer hoses.
If you don’t have a durable hose, you may see yourself making several trips to your local garden shop to purchase a new one. Using a regular garden hose will not do. You need the best and most reliable pressure washer hose that can withstand extreme conditions.
Why Should I Replace My Power Washer Hose?
Hose is one of the most crucial parts of your pressure washer. It’s the component that delivers water to your target object or surface. These washer tools come in various textures and sizes with high-quality ones delivering water at an accurate pressure.
Your power washer delivers a narrow water stream at extremely high pressure. This means that the surface you’re targeting is going to be hit with plenty of kinetic energy which will remove and wash all the grime and dirt away.
The engine of pressure washers can be powered by either electricity or gas. Both of these engines are attached to a water pump that drives water in. A water inlet or hose connects your machine to your garden tap. This comes with a filter to prevent all sorts of tiny particles from penetrating and damaging your unit.
When you power wash, you’re bound to deal with a high amount of pressure. Hence, it’s advisable to get a kink-resistant, long-lasting hose to ensure that it will leak or break under extreme pressure. Additionally, purchasing a hose specifically for washers can save you money instead of getting yourself a new power washer.
You can find some flexible hoses out there, and it’s vital to pick the right kind for your pressure washer. You’ll be able to power wash more efficiently if you attach it with the best hose. Investing in one is worth every cent since you’ll be able to tackle those dingy and greasy surfaces with ease.
Different Types Of Pressure Washer Hoses
There are literally hundreds of washer hoses you can choose from. They vary in material, diameter, connections, and length. Likewise, you can classify them in various categories.
Material
Deciding the type of material of your high-pressure hose will determine its durability, flexibility, and if it’ll leave unattractive marks on your deck or driveway. These hoses are typically made from the following materials:
- PVC plastic hose. This is the most common. Although a plastic hose is hard, it’s not flexible enough.
- Rubber hose. It’s more flexible but heavier in comparison to a plastic hose. Likewise, it won’t curl or kink as much. Nevertheless, a rubber hose will leave black streaks or markings on the surfaces you’re working on when sliding it across the concrete.
- Polyurethane hose. This is the latest type of power washer hose material. It is steel-braided with a bendable, clear plastic casing covering it. Professionals and homeowners alike love it since it offers the rubber’s flexibility minus the marring.
Length
Every pressure washers have their own built-in hose. Usually, they come with 20-25 ft long hoses, while a few come with a 50 ft or even 100 ft long pipe. But if you need it to be longer, you can replace or extend the one you have.
The choices you have are the following:
- 20 ft
- 25 ft
- 30 ft
- 50 ft
- 100 ft
- 150 ft
- 200 ft
Diameter
In terms of pressure washer diameter, you have the following options:
- 1/4 in
- 5/16 in
- 3/8 in
Purpose
A residential-grade power washer hose will work well for taking care of your medium-duty washing. Meanwhile, a commercial-grade type is great for businesses and small contractors.
Connections
The hose of your pressure washer comes with two connections. One connection joins the water inlet and hose, while another part connects the hose to the nozzle or gun dispensing high-pressure water.
Furthermore, you can either twist or snap a hose, and its connections may either be female or male threads. Likewise, these threads may also differ with M22 being the most common thread size. One thing to keep in mind is that extensions and replacements for hoses with male connections are easier to find.
Steps In Selecting The Right Power Washer Hose
Choosing the length of your hose
Make sure you know what your long-term and urgent cleaning needs are. Understanding them can help narrow down your length choice. If you have a small house or you’ll mostly use your pressure washer for washing your small vehicle, a 20 to 50 ft hose may work for you. Opt for a longer hose if you have a bigger vehicle and home.
Decide whether you need an extension hose or not
Your washer’s length is also dependent on your machine’s cleaning power. It won’t make sense to purchase a 200 ft hose if you have a low-power pressure washer. This will not provide you with the result you’re after since the flowing water won’t have the force needed for a hose that long. Make sure the length of the hose is compatible with your unit by checking its specs in the manual.
Measure the hose size and diameter
The diameter of your hose is vital. Opt for a 1/4 in power washer hose when using an electric or gas-powered washer for residential purposes. It is ideal for machines that produce about 2,700 PSI.
If you have a washer that can generate 3,400 PSI or more, go for the 5/16 in. On the other hand, hoses with a 3/8 in diameter are perfect for commercial purposes and those with 5,000 PSI.
Choosing the connectors
Before buying a hose, check the washer’s nozzle and your faucet. Ensure that the hose you’ll pick has a twist or snap connection matching both the nozzle and faucet.
Deciding on material type
Select a hose with a flexible material. PVC plastic may be affordable, but it tends to break easily and not very flexible. You may also find it challenging to maneuver and store. A rubber hose is flexible, but you may end with black markings on your concrete. On the other hand, a polyurethane hose is flexible, making it easy to use and will leave ugly marks on surfaces.