As a commercial painter, you know that preparing the surface to be painted is key. If you have dirt, debris, peeling paint and other foreign substances on your surface, the paint can’t adhere properly. Pressure washers are a great way to quickly remove anything unwanted from your painting surface so it’s ready to go.
When choosing pressure washers for paint removal in Pennsylvania, there are a few key factors to consider.
How often will you use it?
For commercial projects, you’ll want to avoid axial pumps—those are better for small household jobs that don’t require a lot of power. Look for a pressure washer with a triplex pump. It’ll need to be carefully maintained, but can last for many years.
What is the typical project size?
Knowing how large your usual projects are will help you determine how much area typically needs to be power washed. The larger your projects, the more powerful and higher capacity you’ll need your washer to be.
Do you want electric or gas?
Electric pressure washers are better for household jobs. Commercial pressure washers are usually gas powered—electric machines simply can’t match the power and force of gas. Make sure you look carefully at the power washer, and make sure you’re getting the commercial version, too—otherwise your pressure washer won’t put out the high-powered stream that you need to work efficiently.
How many PSI and GPM do you need?
Your pressure washer’s force is measured in pounds per square inch and gallons per minute. Multiply the PSI by the GPM to get an idea of how powerfully and efficiently your pressure washer will be able to pump out water. You should opt for something with 2,000 PSI and over 2 GPM on the low end, but there are much more powerful pressure washers available.
Do you want a belt drive or a direct drive?
It used to be that direct drives would burn out quickly compared to belt drives, but now there are great options in both categories. If you choose a direct drive, bear in mind that the additional heat generated can affect the engine and cause catastrophic failures, whereas in belt drives the belt will simply snap. However, direct drive engines cost less, are lighter and allow the pump to be easily replaced. If used carefully and kept well maintained, direct drives can be a great alternative.
What’s your budget?
Finally, you’ll need to consider your budget. A high-quality, heavy-duty commercial power washer is going to cost a good amount more than something you’d get for residential jobs, but most contractors feel it’s worth the investment because it’s a tool they’ll need to be able to use on a regular basis. If you can’t afford the top of the line, you can still get plenty of comparable models, perhaps with slightly less PSI and GPM.
When you’re looking for the best power washers for large projects in Pennsylvania, get in touch with Central Equipment Company. We offer sales and rentals for all your construction needs.