Classified light duty tasks for pressure washers tend to include items that have parts which can break off, like vehicles, barbecue grills, and outdoor furniture, so the general recommendations are about 1,000 to 1,750 psi and 1.4 to 1.6 gpm. Medium duty tasks cover a bit tougher targets like exterior siding, fences, patios, decks, and driveways, and tend to require at least 2,000 to 2,800 psi and 2 to 3 gpm. Heavy duty tasks aren’t simply for tougher, built-on grime and paint, but larger-scale surfaces, so if you’re stripping paint, removing graffiti, washing concrete, and/or cleaning a two-story home, a 2,800 psi or higher and a gpm of 3 to 4 is a safe bet.
Gas-powered units tend to be more powerful and quicker to clean than electric models, but that efficiency tends to come with a higher price and bulkier machines. An eclectic is usually suited to tasks around the home. But, as Lowe’s highlights, that pressure and its impact on whatever you’re shooting at is really dependent on the type of nozzle you attach. Smaller nozzles allow for a surgical-like approach to cleaning, but the concentrated spray can potentially damage the surface, so you’ll want to test it on something you don’t mind damaging beforehand.
