How to Pressure Wash With Low Water Pressure
Picture this: you show up for a big cleaning job only to discover that your water source lacks the water pressure necessary to really harness the true power of your commerical pressure washer in San Antonio.
This can be a nightmare – whether you’re a pressure washer business owner or are simply a business owner pressure washing the various messes that come along with your day-to-day operations. You’re left scrambling to come up with a solution that still gets the job done despite the limitations. And we’re here to help.
Today, we’ll guide you through how to pressure wash with low water pressure, still reaping the profound benefits of commercial pressure washing solutions. We’ll offer a few ways to ramp up the water pressure despite what you’re working with, along with advice on how to increase the cleaning effectiveness of your solution if you can’t increase pressure.
Let’s get started by taking a look at how low water pressure affects your unit’s cleaning capabilities along with the typical causes of low water pressure.
Will Low Water Pressure Affect a Pressure Washer?
The water pressure your unit is capable of producing is known as the PSI – or pounds per square inch. A higher PSI means more cleaning power, and vice versa. And as you can imagine, this is one of the most crucial elements of choosing a pressure washer for a given job.
For example, the ideal pressure washer PSI for concrete can be as high as 4,000 PSI. Meanwhile, the ideal pressure washer PSI for other tasks, like automotive cleaning or commercial building pressure washing, will be lower.
Nevertheless, there is a certain point where low water pressure becomes the most limiting factor in your cleaning solution. When this happens, you miss out on the main benefit your pressure washer has to offer: a powerful jet of water! At this point, you aren’t working with much more than a high-pressure garden hose.
Low water pressure can lead to reduced cleaning power, slower work, and potential strain on your pressure washer. It can be challenging to remove stubborn dirt, grime, and stains as quickly and effectively as you would with optimal water pressure.
The good news? You can still get the job done despite this limitation. While low water pressure can impact the overall efficiency of your pressure washing unit, it doesn’t mean that you’re destined for subpar cleaning results. We’ll teach you how shortly. But first, let’s take a look at what causes low water pressure.
What Causes Low Water Pressure?
So, what’s giving you grief in the first place? The obvious first step is troubleshooting the issue and attempting to ramp up the water pressure – either within your pressure washer unit or the water supply itself. By doing this, you don’t even have to stress about how to pressure wash with low water pressure. Here are a few things you can look at first:
- Clogged Pipes or Hoses: Over time, mineral deposits, debris, or even rust can accumulate in your water pipes or hoses, leading to reduced water flow and low pressure. Regularly inspect your hoses for any visible clogs and consider using a pipe or hose cleaning solution to flush out any build-up.
- Inadequate Water Supply: Your pressure washer requires a consistent water supply to function at its best. If the water source you’re using isn’t providing enough water to match your pressure washer’s demands, it can result in low water pressure. Check the specifications of your pressure washer to ensure your water supply can meet its needs.
- Faulty Pressure Regulator: The pressure regulator in your pressure washer is responsible for controlling the water pressure output. If it’s not functioning correctly, you may experience low water pressure. Regularly inspect the pressure regulator for any signs of damage or wear, and replace it as needed.
- Partially Closed Valves: Accidentally closed or partially closed water supply valves can restrict water flow and cause low pressure. Ensure all valves along your water supply line are fully open to maximize water flow.
- Leaks in the System: Leaks in your water supply line, hoses, or pressure washer itself can lead to reduced water pressure. Regularly inspect your entire setup for any signs of leaks, and promptly repair or replace any damaged components.
- High Water Demand: In some cases, low water pressure may be due to high demand from other users or appliances sharing the same water supply. If possible, schedule your pressure washing tasks during off-peak hours to minimize water demand and maximize pressure.
You can learn more in our article on pressure washer troubleshooting. But for now, let’s provide some actionable steps to actually increase the water pressure in your unit.
How do I Increase the Water Pressure in My Pressure Washer?
Can you adjust PSI on pressure washer? As a matter of fact, you can. So – how do I increase the water pressure in my pressure washer?
Aside from upgrading to the best commercial pressure washer at Hotsy (which is certainly an option worth exploring if your problem is the unit itself), here is some advice to help you increase the water pressure in your unit:
- Opt for a High-Performance Nozzle: The right nozzle can make all the difference when it comes to maximizing your pressure washer’s water pressure. Hotsy offers a range of nozzles designed for various applications and surfaces. By choosing a narrower nozzle, you can concentrate water flow, resulting in increased pressure and enhanced cleaning performance.
- Maintain Your Equipment: A well-maintained pressure washer is key to optimizing water pressure. Regularly inspect and clean the inlet filter, nozzles, and other components to keep your machine operating at peak efficiency. A clean and well-functioning pressure washer will deliver higher water pressure and more effective cleaning results. You can learn more in our article on pressure washer servicing.
- Address Water Supply Issues: As mentioned earlier, various factors can contribute to low water pressure, such as clogged pipes or hoses, leaks, or high water demand. Identify and resolve these issues to ensure a consistent and adequate water supply for your pressure washer, leading to improved water pressure and cleaning performance.
- Schedule Your Tasks Wisely: If you’re experiencing low water pressure due to high demand from other users or appliances, consider scheduling your pressure washing tasks during off-peak hours. By avoiding periods of high water usage, you can maximize your pressure washer’s water pressure and enjoy more efficient cleaning.
Now – if none of this helps and you’re still limited by low water pressure, you shouldn’t give up hope. We’ll teach you how to pressure wash with low water pressure below.
How to Pressure Wash With Low Water Pressure: Tips for Getting the Job Done Despite the Circumstances
Just as you can learn how to pressure washer without a water source, you can learn how to pressure wash with low water pressure.
Sure, you’re going to have to work a bit harder and you may sacrifice a bit of speed. But ultimately, you’ll be able to get the job done right despite the shortcomings you’re faced with – and that’s really all that matters. Step one – get the best soap for pressure washers, as this will help you overcome the issue of low pressure.
Harness the Cleaning Power of a High-Quality Detergent
A pressure washer is a powerful cleaning solution – but you can supercharge its effectiveness by harnessing the cleaning power of a specially formulated detergent!
Hotsy’s specially formulated detergents are designed to work effectively even in low-pressure situations. These powerful cleaning agents break down dirt, grease, and grime more efficiently, making your pressure washing tasks significantly easier.
By using the right detergent, you can enhance your cleaning capabilities and get the job done right, despite the low water pressure. So, the only question is – what detergent to use in your pressure washer is best? It really depends on the specific situation. We encourage you to explore our full range of detergents and find one that suits you.
What we don’t recommend is attempting to create your own DIY power washer soap. Our pressure washer degreasers are far more effective for the job at hand, and can save you headaches and wasted time playing scientist when you could be working on more important tasks.
We’ll talk more about how to use soap with pressure washers in just a moment. First, you need to pair your detergent with the correct nozzle.
Make Sure to Use the Correct Nozzle for the Job
The nozzle you choose for your pressure washer has a significant impact on its cleaning effectiveness. By selecting the right nozzle for your specific task, you can concentrate the water flow, increase pressure, and optimize your cleaning performance even in low-pressure conditions.
For example, there is likely a specific soap nozzle for your pressure washer that would be ideal in this situation. When in doubt, reach out to the experts here at Hotsy, as we bring more than 40 years of experience to the table and are passionate about helping businesses take advantage of all the benefits pressure washing has to offer.
Take Advantage of Other Pressure Washer Attachments
We recently compiled a list of the best pressure washer accessories, and we encourage you to check it out. Chances are, you’re missing some of the key attachments that could take your unit’s cleaning capabilities to the next level.
Surface cleaners, turbo nozzles, and extension wands are just a few examples of the attachments that can help you tackle hard-to-reach areas and improve cleaning results with low water pressure. By leveraging these additional tools, you can make the most of your pressure washer, regardless of the water pressure limitations.
Pre-Soak the Surface Being Cleaned and Let the Soap Do the Hard Work
One effective technique for enhancing your cleaning results with low water pressure is to pre-soak the surface you’re cleaning.
Apply detergent to the surface and allow it to sit for a few minutes before rinsing it off with your pressure washer. This will enable the pressure washing surfactants to dissolve stubborn grime and make your cleaning job more efficient, even when you’re dealing with low water pressure.
Make Sure You’re Using the Right Technique
Finally, read our guide on advanced pressure washing techniques and ensure you’re working smarter, not harder. Our advice is to work in sections, and after that initial soak, to rinse from top to bottom. This will eliminate streaking and prevent you from going over the same areas twice.
You should also take note of how far you are from the surface being cleaned. Typically, you’d want to be careful about getting too close to prevent damaging the surface. But because you’re dealing with low water pressure, you can get closer in an attempt to make up the difference.
Final Thoughts on How to Pressure Wash With Low Water Pressure
Hopefully, the advice we’ve provided today empowers you to clean quickly and effectively despite any water pressure limitations you’re facing. Whether you’re suffering from low water pressure because there’s an issue with your unit or the water source itself, you can still do a great job restoring a surface to its original state with the tips we’ve offered above.
But, if you suspect your unit is to blame – or you simply want to take your cleaning prowess to the next level – look no further than our Texas pressure washer store.
At Hotsy, you’ll gain access to a full array of industrial pressure washers. We have both hot water pressure washers for sale and cold water pressure washers for sale. And, we even have pressure washing trailers for sale so that you never have to stress about low-pressure water sources again – you can bring your water source with you!
You can also count on us for pressure washer replacement parts, commercial pressure washer rental, and pressure washer repair. You can stop by one of our many South Texas locations today and we’ll get you taken care of so you never have to stress about low water pressure issues again.
So, visit us in person or apply what you’ve learned in this guide on how to pressure wash with low water pressure!
