# 3.5 to 8 GPM - Commercial flatwork cleaning speed increase? **URL:** \ **Category:** Commercial\ **Created:** [December 22, 2016, 5:57am UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078 "2016-12-22T05:57:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ABetterEstate](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/f1d935/32.png) [@ABetterEstate](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/ABetterEstate)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 5:57am UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078/1 "2016-12-22T05:57:41Z")
Hey Everyone, Currently with my 3.5 GPM machine I can clean about 3000 sq ft per hour of commercial sidewalks by myself. I’m looking at purchasing an 8 GPM machine, can anyone who has done a similar upgrade tell me what type of square footage per hour increase I might see with the higher GPM machine? Did your productivity double? I did search, I know that 8 GPM is vastly superior to 3.5 GPM, but I couldn’t find an answer to this specific question. Any information about YOUR experience with such an upgrade would be helpful for planning purposes. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Racer](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/racer/32/4931_2.png) [@Racer](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Racer)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 9:19pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078/2 "2016-12-23T21:19:58Z")
What size surface cleaner you pushing? I might add, if you’re doing 3000 sq ft an hour with what you’ve got you’re the fastest concrete cleaner in the country or you’re not cleaning very dirty concrete. At even a price of .12/ft which is a little low that $360/hour. Why bother with an 8? LOL ---
**Author:** ![ABetterEstate](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/f1d935/32.png) [@ABetterEstate](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/ABetterEstate)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2016, 5:07pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078/3 "2016-12-24T17:07:51Z")
Hey, The surface cleaner I use is 22" with 25° tips. I am certainly not that fastest cleaner in the country! My example was referencing concrete that is not very dirty in a wide open area. I do have to slow down quite a bit when it is dirty. I guess my example of square footage aside, I’m just looking for other peoples experiences… It was X sq ft with a smaller machine and now it’s Y. I’m just looking to get a baseline. ---
**Author:** ![Racer](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/racer/32/4931_2.png) [@Racer](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Racer)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2016, 4:34am UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078/4 "2016-12-26T04:34:44Z")
The difference between my 4 gpm and 8.5 gpm I’d say with the 8 about 60-70% better(quicker). I don’t think it’s double, but definitely quicker. ---
**Author:** ![ABetterEstate](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/f1d935/32.png) [@ABetterEstate](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/ABetterEstate)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2016, 6:28pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078/5 "2016-12-26T18:28:27Z")
Awesome, thank you for the feedback! ---
**Author:** ![bonefish](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@bonefish](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/bonefish)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 1:17pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078/6 "2017-07-12T13:17:23Z")
With 8 gpm you can jump up to 30" surface cleaner, that’s what I have and it’s great! ---
**Author:** ![Dogby92](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/dogby92/32/6659_2.png) [@Dogby92](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Dogby92)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2017, 6:31pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078/7 "2017-07-14T18:31:32Z")
What do you recommend for 4gpm? How many inches per gpm? ---
**Author:** ![bonefish](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@bonefish](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/bonefish)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2017, 9:53pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078/8 "2017-07-14T21:53:21Z")
The rule of thumb is 4" per 1gpm so 4gpm would be 16". You can cheat a little bit by changing the size of your nozzles. ---
**Author:** ![Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/innocentbystander/32/36516_2.png) [@Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Innocentbystander)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2017, 12:58am UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078/9 "2017-07-15T00:58:57Z")
I run 16 and 19 inch surface cleaners with my 8 gpms. I also don’t do garages or a lot of flatwork. Just breezeways ---
**Author:** ![Dogby92](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/dogby92/32/6659_2.png) [@Dogby92](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Dogby92)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2017, 1:29am UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078/10 "2017-07-15T01:29:54Z")
Ok cool. I have a 16 inch for my 4gpm ---
**Author:** ![DirtDiggaz](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/dirtdiggaz/32/8084_2.png) [@DirtDiggaz](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/DirtDiggaz)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 10:22pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078/11 "2017-11-15T22:22:24Z")
Hello, what do you charge per breezeway. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/innocentbystander/32/36516_2.png) [@Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Innocentbystander)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 10:26pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078/12 "2017-11-15T22:26:35Z")
Wow. You gotta be kidding me ---
**Author:** ![Steve](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/steve/32/31567_2.png) [@Steve](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Steve)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 10:41pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078/13 "2017-11-15T22:41:02Z")
> [@DirtDiggaz](#): > > Hello, what do you charge per breezeway. Thanks. I don’t think @Innocentbystander likes to give his prices. I have no problem sharing my pricing. I use the uniform motion theory for breezeways, which is D=RT or distance equals rate/time. I think IBS uses the Pythagorean theorem, but he doesn’t like to share that info on the web. Sorry IB… ---
**Author:** ![DirtDiggaz](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/dirtdiggaz/32/8084_2.png) [@DirtDiggaz](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/DirtDiggaz)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 10:44pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078/14 "2017-11-15T22:44:31Z")
Thanks. That sounds about what I have figured. Just seeking information from others in the industry. ---
**Author:** ![Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/innocentbystander/32/36516_2.png) [@Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Innocentbystander)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 10:47pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078/15 "2017-11-15T22:47:03Z")
Pi are not square ---
**Author:** ![Steve](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/steve/32/31567_2.png) [@Steve](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Steve)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 10:48pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078/16 "2017-11-15T22:48:19Z")
> [@Innocentbystander](#): > > Pi are not square Cornbread are square. ---
**Author:** ![Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/innocentbystander/32/36516_2.png) [@Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Innocentbystander)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 10:52pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078/17 "2017-11-15T22:52:15Z")
Not in a cast iron skillet 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Steve](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/steve/32/31567_2.png) [@Steve](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Steve)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 10:55pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078/18 "2017-11-15T22:55:13Z")
> [@Innocentbystander](#): > > Not in a cast iron skillet 🙂 Cornbread in a cast iron skillet? What are we in the “Deliverance” movie now? Is the banjo kid nearby? ---
**Author:** ![Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/innocentbystander/32/36516_2.png) [@Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Innocentbystander)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 10:57pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078/19 "2017-11-15T22:57:39Z")
There is a hand sticking out of the water. That’s what mom and my wife cook cornbread in. ---
**Author:** ![Steve](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/steve/32/31567_2.png) [@Steve](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Steve)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 11:03pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078/20 "2017-11-15T23:03:16Z")
> [@Innocentbystander](#): > > There is a hand sticking out of the water. That’s what mom and my wife cook cornbread in. Funny thing is I have lived in Kentucky for 16 years and I just can’t adapt to the hillbilly ways. Don’t get me wrong, I love these Kentuckians, I love their southern charm, their hospitality, their fried food, their porch swings and lemonade/tea, I love these humble God fearing, salt of the Earth people, but I still feel like a stranger in a strange land… [Next page](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/3-5-to-8-gpm-commercial-flatwork-cleaning-speed-increase/7078.md?page=2)