Are Pressure Washer Hoses Universal?

Are Pressure Washer Hoses Universal?

Pressure washers in San Antonio come with many different parts. A standard machine will come with everything you need, but if you want to upgrade your unit, you will have to buy better parts separately. Over time, you will also have to replace certain parts of your machine to keep it fully functional.

One part that requires frequent replacement is the pressure washer hose. This is because it is constantly being dragged, dropped, and twisted while you are working. That level of wear and tear is bound to cause damage over time, at which point you will have to find a replacement.

But how do you know which replacement hose to choose? Are pressure washers hoses a universal fit? In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know before replacing your hose.

Can You Use Any Pressure Washer Hose?

The answer is ‘no’. Pressure washer hoses are not universal. They come in different diameters, lengths, and materials. So, choosing just any hose to replace your current hose won’t work. You’ll either end up with a hose that doesn’t match the performance you’ve come to expect, or you won’t be able to connect the hose to your unit at all.

Finding the right hose is essential to keep your machine functioning at its best–or even better than before. That said, you need to know the key aspects to consider before choosing a replacement hose for your pressure washer.

Factors to Consider When Looking For a New Pressure Washer Hose

When in the market for a new pressure washer hose, here are the four important things that you need to consider:

Hose Diameter

Choosing the right hose diameter is easy–simply look at the diameter of your current hose. Check either the hose itself or the user manual for the diameter. If you can’t find it, search up your unit online and see what diameter hose it uses.

There are three diameter hoses to choose from:

1/4-inch diameter hoses are the most commonly used for residential-use or consumer-grade pressure washers, both electric and gas-powered. The maximum psi that they can accommodate varies, so make sure to check your unit to see if it can handle your machine. Most can handle up to 3,000 psi.

3/8-inch diameter hoses are the thickest available and are typically used for commercial pressure washers, able to accommodate up to 10,000 psi. They are the strongest hoses available on the market and are capable of handling both high water pressures and high water volumes.

5/16-inch diameter hoses are less common and are used for prosumer-grade gas pressure washers. They can withstand 2,700 to 3,600 psi of pressure and are mostly used for gas-powered pressure washers.

Hose Material

The material of pressure washer hoses plays a big role in their price, flexibility, and durability. You can replace your old hose with a new one made from the same material. Or, you can choose a different material if it’s going to give your pressure washer a boost.

The best pressure washer hoses work with both hot water pressure washers and cold water pressure washers. However, not all hose materials work best with every kind of application.

There are three types of hose materials that you can choose from:

Plastic hoses are the most affordable and are commonly used for light- and medium-duty pressure washers. They are made from PVC, which can make them difficult to work with as they are not very flexible. However, the toughness can make them last a long time.

Rubber hoses are more flexible than plastic PVC hoses, although they are heavier. They don’t kink and are very easy to store. Most rubber hoses can withstand up to 3,000 psi. A downside, however, is that rubber hoses can leave scuff marks on concrete.

Polyurethane hoses are best for commercial pressure washers and can withstand very high pressures. These are steel-braided hoses that are coated in bendable plastic, making them extremely durable yet lightweight and flexible.

Considering the flexibility, durability, and ease of use they provide, polyurethane pressure washer hoses are the best choice for commercial applications. They are the most suitable hoses for heavy-duty and extra-heavy-duty pressure washers that emit 3,000 psi and higher, which are commonly used for very tough contaminants. Learn more about how much pressure washer psi you need in our blog.

Hose Length

Choose a pressure washer hose length that is most suitable for your intended application. In general, the larger the area you have to clean, the longer your hose should be so that you don’t have to move your machine too frequently.

Pressure washer hoses for commercial units usually go up to 100 feet in length. But, a 50 ft hose should be good for most cleaning jobs. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations to see what length of hose is most ideal for your pressure washer.

Connection Type

Every pressure washer hose has two connections: one side connects to the pump and the other connects to the nozzle. You can connect your hose to the pump by snapping or screwing the two together.

There are several types of connectors to choose from. To determine which one you need, simply look at your spray gun’s inlet. Here are two types of connections:

Female and male M22 threaded hoses are for guns that are M22 male or female. If your gun has a male connector, buy a hose with M22 female connectors. And vice versa.

Female and male quick-connect hoses usually come with the unit. If you need to replace your quick-connect hose, simply buy either a female or male snap coupler, depending on the connector sticking out of your gun (whether it’s male or female).

Tips To Help You Choose The Right Pressure Washer Hose

Pressure washer hoses are not cheap, especially if you’re looking for commercial-grade ones. To ensure that your money is well spent, here are some general tips that you should follow when choosing  a new pressure washer hose:

Do your due diligence

Check the user manual, particularly the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you no longer have your user manual, look up your unit online–it’s usually available on the manufacturer’s website.

Consider intended uses

Maybe you are planning to use your pressure washer to clean your entire business establishment. If so, you will need a long, flexible hose to make the job easier and more efficient. Always consider the intended uses for your pressure washer before buying a new hose. Check out our article on common pressure washer applications to learn more.

Don’t skimp on quality

A mediocre hose will only get you so far. Whether you are using a commercial or residential pressure washer, invest in great quality parts. Otherwise, you may end up paying more in the long run, especially if you use your pressure washer frequently.

Find Whatever Replacement Part You Need at Hotsy

Finding the perfect replacement part for your commercial-grade pressure washer is not easy. Some commercial pressure washer parts can be hard to find in general hardware stores.

Here at Hotsy, you won’t feel like you’re searching for a needle in a haystack. We carry a wide variety of pressure washer replacement parts and accessories to get you back to work as quickly as possible. Aside from the best pressure washer hoses on the market, here are some replacement parts available on our website:

  • Nozzles
  • Hoses
  • Throttle controllers
  • Pressure switches
  • Inline strainers
  • Wands
  • Valves
  • Pumps
  • Gauges
  • Filters
  • And so much more!

If you’re looking for something that we don’t have, don’t worry–our service team can order and ship it to you on the same day. Need help installing your part? We have a service truck that can go to your location and perform the installation for you. Simple and easy.

Don’t leave your pressure washer out of commission for too long. Find your replacement parts at Hotsy today.

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