Buying Help and Care

PSI and GPM explained, electric versus gas, rent versus buy, starting a washer and storing it for winter.

  • Westinghouse WPX3400 Gas
    Buying Help and Care

    How to Change the Oil in a Power Washer

    How to change oil in power washer engines: warm the oil, drain it, refill to the right level, and know when the first change is due.

  • Westinghouse ePX3500
    Buying Help and Care

    How Much Water Does a Pressure Washer Use?

    How much water does a pressure washer use? Most electric models draw about 1.2 to 1.76 gallons per minute, far less than a garden hose running open.

  • Sun Joe SPX3000
    Buying Help and Care

    How Much PSI Is a Pressure Washer?

    How much PSI is a pressure washer? Most electric models run 1,700 to 2,500 PSI and gas models 3,000 to 4,000 PSI. Here's what each range cleans.

  • Westinghouse ePX3500
    Buying Help and Care

    Does a Pressure Washer Need Water Pressure?

    Yes, a pressure washer needs a steady feed of water pressure to work. Learn how much inlet flow matters, what happens when supply drops, and how to fix it.

  • Westinghouse WPX2300e
    Buying Help and Care

    Do Pressure Washers Need an Outside Tap?

    Do pressure washers need an outside tap? Yes, most corded electric models do. Here's how the hose connection works and what to do without a tap.

  • MEKOH 20-Inch Surface Cleaner
    Buying Help and Care

    Are Pressure Washer Surface Cleaners Worth It?

    Are pressure washer surface cleaners worth it? Yes for flat concrete, patios and driveways: they cut cleaning time and stop stripes. See when to skip one.

  • Westinghouse ePX3500
    Buying Help and Care

    Can I Run a Pressure Washer Without Water?

    Can I run a pressure washer without water? No. Find out what happens when a pump runs dry, how to prime it, and how to protect it when storing.

  • Westinghouse ePX3100s
    Buying Help and Care

    How Much Does a Pressure Washer Cost?

    How much does a pressure washer cost? Compare electric, gas and commercial price ranges, plus rental, upkeep and features that affect your budget.

  • Kärcher Pump Guard
    Buying Help and Care

    How to Winterize a Pressure Washer

    Learn how to winterize a pressure washer by draining water, protecting the pump, storing fuel safely, and following the right steps for gas and electric models.

  • Westinghouse ePX3100
    Buying Help and Care

    Rent or Buy a Pressure Washer?

    Compare pressure washer rental with buying one for your cleaning jobs. Weigh use frequency, transport, storage, setup and the work ahead.

  • Craftsman CMEPW1700
    Buying Help and Care

    What Size Pressure Washer Do I Need?

    What size pressure washer do I need? Match PSI and GPM to cars, decks, siding and concrete, then choose the right washer type and nozzle for the job.