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We got that pressure! We got that flow! (And we got those cleaning units....)

When researching pressure washers, you'll come across a statement on nearly every unit that mentions PSI and GPM.  The PSI is the "pressure", that is-- pounds per square inch-- and is generally measured from 1000 up to 3500.  GPM is gallons per minute.

The more flow, the more impact; this is a direct relationship.

With all that being said-- how can one compare units with varying PSIs and GPMs?  By determining the "Cleaning Units" of a particular model.  Multiply the PSI by the GPM to calculate the "Cleaning Units".  This will create a standard number in which two units can be compared .

Dirt Killer Comparison by 855Sheller
Kranzle Dirt Killer Comparisons- Information provided by 855Sheller      
Now that you can quickly determine Cleaning Units (CU)... how can you determine how many CUs you need to get the job done?  We have a chart for that!  These are not hard-and-fast rules but just handy guidelines.

Task
Min PSI
Min GPM
Min CU
Preferred CU
Wash a car
1000
1.5
3,000
5,000
Deck
1500
1.5
2,250
7,000
House
1000
1.5
1,500
7,000
Boat
2000
1.5
3,000
7,000
Barnacle removal
3000
2.5
7,500
12,000
Surface clean
1500
3.5
5,250
15,000
Brick
2000
2.5
5,000
8,000
Heavy Equipment
1500
2.5
3,750
8,000
Drives and sidewalks
1,500
1.5
2,250
12,000
Paint prep
2,000
1.5
3,000
7,500
Fleet wash
1,500
3.0
4,500
8,000
Graffiti removal
3,000
3.0
9,000
12,000
Parking lots
2,500
3.5
8,750
14,000
Nets/crab/lobster pots
2,500
3.0
7,500
12,000

 
 
So we have PSI; we have GPMs; we have Cleaning Units.  Am I helping to demystify the pressure washing world?  I surely hope so.  Tune in to our next blog for more tips on how to choose YOUR pressure washer!






































































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