How to Safely Use a Pressure Washer
When using pressure washers, it is important to know how to use them safely so that you can avoid hurting yourself as well as others. However, before learning how to do that, it is also important to first understand how a pressure washer works so that you can have a clearer understanding of the safety process.
A pressure washer is typically powered by either gasoline or electricity. This powertrain is responsible for spinning the water pump which in turn sucks and pressurizes water. The pressurized water is then released on the pressure washer hose towards the pressure washer nozzles.
Basically, depending on the type of unit, there are four elements involved when using a pressure washer – pressure, flow rate, heat, cleaning solution. Taking out one of these will dramatically change a pressure washer's cleaning characteristics. For example, a pressure washer that uses only cold water and pressure will have adequate cleaning, but will not have the cleaning efficiency as one that uses heated water.
Below is a list on how you can safely use and operate a pressure washer:
- When operating a pressure washer, it is important that you wear eye and hand protection to protect yourself from debris and pressurized water from ricocheting onto you. Make sure to always keep your hands and feet away from the cleaning nozzles.
- When attaching and removing nozzles, make sure to do it before starting the unit.
- Make sure to always spray from at least 6 feet. Although this will vary depending on the unit's power or settings, it is suggested to start from a distance and slowly moving closer until the cleaning effect needed is achieved. It also important to know that pressure washing at very close distance can or may damage the surface you are cleaning.
- Make sure to never fill the fuel tank of a gas pressure washer while its engine is running. Refueling while the engine is running may cause the fuel to inadvertently catch fire.
- Make sure to never repair a hose connection, such as a leak, while the unit is under pressure. Be sure to turn off the unit before performing such operation.
- Never point the high pressure stream of water at any person or animal as this could cause serious injuries.
When operating a pressure washer, it is important that you always practice safety. Ignoring many of the safety rules while operating a pressure washer may not only damage the surface you are cleaning, but could also lead to injuring either you or the people around you. Cleaning will always be fun as long as you practice safety.
A pressure washer is typically powered by either gasoline or electricity. This powertrain is responsible for spinning the water pump which in turn sucks and pressurizes water. The pressurized water is then released on the pressure washer hose towards the pressure washer nozzles.
Basically, depending on the type of unit, there are four elements involved when using a pressure washer – pressure, flow rate, heat, cleaning solution. Taking out one of these will dramatically change a pressure washer's cleaning characteristics. For example, a pressure washer that uses only cold water and pressure will have adequate cleaning, but will not have the cleaning efficiency as one that uses heated water.
Below is a list on how you can safely use and operate a pressure washer:
- When operating a pressure washer, it is important that you wear eye and hand protection to protect yourself from debris and pressurized water from ricocheting onto you. Make sure to always keep your hands and feet away from the cleaning nozzles.
- When attaching and removing nozzles, make sure to do it before starting the unit.
- Make sure to always spray from at least 6 feet. Although this will vary depending on the unit's power or settings, it is suggested to start from a distance and slowly moving closer until the cleaning effect needed is achieved. It also important to know that pressure washing at very close distance can or may damage the surface you are cleaning.
- Make sure to never fill the fuel tank of a gas pressure washer while its engine is running. Refueling while the engine is running may cause the fuel to inadvertently catch fire.
- Make sure to never repair a hose connection, such as a leak, while the unit is under pressure. Be sure to turn off the unit before performing such operation.
- Never point the high pressure stream of water at any person or animal as this could cause serious injuries.
When operating a pressure washer, it is important that you always practice safety. Ignoring many of the safety rules while operating a pressure washer may not only damage the surface you are cleaning, but could also lead to injuring either you or the people around you. Cleaning will always be fun as long as you practice safety.
