Need Professional Opinions — Startup Pressure Washing

It’s going to take X amount of water to clean it so GPM isn’t going to make a difference. More flow just means you’ll get done sooner

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I have a 4/4000 and have never used more than 2500 psi. My surface cleaner is at 2500 and I use 1000 psi tips for rinsing, wood and composite decks. I haven’t come across anything yet with residential where the I needed or wanted more pressure.

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True on the pressure thing, try using an 8gpm sometime, it’ll blow your socks off.

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I don’t know, but I’m assuming you need to adjust the pressure on the machine via the unloader in order to use the 1000 PSI tips? Or is this something you can stick on and go?

Stick on and go. #8 nozzle size on a 4 gpm machine gives you 1000 psi. I have a pair of 25025 nozzles (size 2.5) on my surface cleaner for 2500 psi.

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I don’t do much actual pressure washing, nor do I have the ability to carry a buffer tank around since this is a part time gig for me. If I did this full time, no doubt I would buy an 8 right off the bat.

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you can also adjust you unloader for pressure.

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Tell us more.

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Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should…

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This is just not a good idea

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Nozzles are what, a few dollars each? Adjusting your unloader is going to reduce your pressure, but your volume as well. There is no good reason to do that, just buy the right nozzles.

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What do you want to know?

@MuscleMyHustle is basically brand new to the forum and definitely needs dodger’s advice. He didn’t know that you’re supposed to mess with the unloader all the time, all willy nilly.

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I have my first house wash tomorrow. I’m super nervous. Thanks for your generous time and expertise @dodger8899 hard to find good help around here.

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If you adjust the unloader has a spring in it to adjust the pressure. And no this does not lower the flow rate. Now how to do this is simple. Turn the black knob where the pressure comes out counterclockwise drops the pressure. This will also reduce the kick from the gun a little Now how much you need is depending on what you are cleaning. Wood siding keep has low that you are not messing up any of the wood. Different types of wood will take different pressures. Also here is a good practice to get into always point the gun away from the surface you are cleaning when you pull the trigger.

The unloader is not used to raise or lower pressure as needed, that’s what various nozzle sizes are for.

if that is not what the unloader adjustment knob is for. Then what is it for then???

It’s for taking off and throwing in the trash. Experienced professionals don’t have plastic adjustment knobs on their unloaders.

Friend, we’re all kinda messing with you here because most know not to do the stuff you are suggesting. Nothing wrong with not knowing something. But, some random new guy in the future might stumble across this thread and think your advice is good. Maybe just read and ask questions for awhile.

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Think about it, if you keep the nozzle size the same, yet have lower pressure coming out, how is the flow NOT reduced? Your pressure washer gives out a given GPM. The pressure is determined by the size orifice in the nozzle that you are forcing that given GPM through. The pressure rating on your pressure washer just gives the max it’s rated for. That doesn’t mean it’s always going to put out that pressure. Take the nozzle off all together and pull the trigger, you’re not getting 3000 psi or whatever out of it.

Look at the nozzle sizing chart I posted above. If you have a 4/4000 machine, it usually comes with #4 nozzles to give you your 4000 psi. If you put at #8 nozzle in it, that will mean you still get 4 gpm our of it, but now at only 1000 psi. Study the chart, use that to get the pressures you want and leave the unloader alone.

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