Pressure Washer PSI vs GPM: What’s the Difference?
From commercial properties to industrial machines, pressure washers are powerful devices that can bring a sparkling clean finish to any surface. Industrial factory owners and pressure washer businesses worldwide have lauded these machines for their efficiency and effectiveness.
The many benefits of pressure washing are impressive enough for you to consider buying or renting one for your business, but there’s a lot to consider when shopping. You may be wondering things like what size pressure washer do I need or how much PSI I need to clean concrete.
One of the most crucial decisions you’ll make when shopping for one of these fantastic devices is how to weigh PSI vs GPM for pressure washers. Learning how to adjust pressure on pressure washers can ensure your machine can tackle any cleaning job your business needs, but it all starts with purchasing a capable device.
As the premier Texas pressure washer store, we decided to use our knowledge to create this guide on pressure washer PSI vs GPM. We’ll explore the differences between pressure washer GPM vs PSI to help you find the right device for your needs.
There’s a lot to weigh while shopping, but before we settle the PSI vs GPM debate for pressure washers, we’ll need to define what each one means first, so let’s get right into it.
Pressure Washer PSI vs GPM: Breaking Down the Two Most Important Ratings for Your Cleaning Process
At first glance, pressure washer GPM vs PSI may seem like two similar, if not identical, ratings. After all, both play a crucial role in determining the cleaning ability of your pressure washer.
It is essential that you study the details, however. Pay attention to the differences in PSI vs GPM for pressure washers to avoid ending up with a device that cannot remove tough stains or debris, ruining your investment.
What is Pressure Washer PSI?
The PSI for pressure washers stands for pounds per square inch. This rating measures the pressure output of your pressure washer, relating to the force that your water stream places on a given surface.
The higher your PSI, the more powerful your water stream. These powerful streams are more effective at breaking up stubborn dirt and grime. PSI can range from around 1300 on the low end to above 4200 on the high end.
You’ll want to strike the right balance to ensure your pressure washer can tackle tough stains without damaging the underlying surface, especially when working with delicate materials like patios, decks, and vehicles.
What is Pressure Washer GPM?
The GPM on pressure washers stands for gallons per minute. Comparing Pressure washer GPM vs PSI, GPM focuses more on the amount of water flowing through your stream than the power.
The higher the GPM on your device, the more water you have available to wash away dirt and grime. Pressure washer GPM ratings can go as low as 1.2 GPM all the way up to 10 GPM. GPM can also play a critical role in ensuring your business remains energy efficient and isn’t spending exorbitant amounts on water bills each month.
You should now have an idea of pressure washer GPM vs PSI at their cores, but how do the two compare, and should you focus on one vs the other?
In the next section, we’ll cover the differences between PSI vs GPM for pressure washers, so read on!
Pressure Washer GPM vs PSI: Is One More Important Than the Other?
The differences between pressure washer PSI vs GPM are important, but neither should overshadow the other when shopping. Both ratings are equally valuable for achieving an optimal and efficient cleaning rate for your pressure washer.
PSI helps to break up tough stains, while GPM finishes the job by washing that debris away. Of course, the magic of pressure washers is that this cleaning power happens near instantaneously, so the synergy of GPM and PSI occurs before you even realize what’s going on.
Comparison of the Importance of PSI and GPM
You can think of PSI as a sharp knife that divides stains and dirt into manageable pieces, while GPM is like a ladle or spoon that clears the dirt from the area once it’s been broken down. Like the chef comparing his kitchen utensils and not playing favorites with the knife and the ladle, using a pressure washer involves both PSI and GPM.
Either pressure washer GPM vs PSI being too low for the cleaning job will spell disaster in the cleaning efforts of your business.
Effects of High PSI and Low GPM (and Vice Versa)
So, what happens if you overvalue pressure washer PSI vs GPM or the opposite?
A pressure washer with a high PSI rating can be great for removing tough stains and grime, but without a sufficient GPM rating, the water may not be able to effectively wash away the dirt and debris that has been broken up. This can result in a slower cleaning process and may require more water.
If your pressure washing endeavors lead to a sky-high water bill, lack of GPM may be the problem.
On the other hand, a pressure washer with a high GPM rating can be great for washing away dirt and debris from larger surfaces, but without a sufficient PSI rating, it may not be effective at removing tough stains or grime. This can result in a cleaning process that takes longer than necessary and may require more water.
Ensure you or your employees take a reasonable amount of time to complete cleaning tasks. After all, pressure washers are supposed to speed up your cleaning routines, not extend their duration.
Choosing the Right Balance Between PSI and GPM
So, how do we find the right balance of pressure washer GPM vs PSI? The specifics will depend on the needs of your business, but it’s essential to consider each factor on its own first rather than trying to compare them against one another.
For example, a pressure washer with a high PSI and low GPM may be great for removing tough stains from concrete, but it may not be ideal for washing away dirt and debris from a delicate surface like a car. In this case, a pressure washer with a lower PSI and higher GPM may be more appropriate.
There’s a lot more to consider when comparing pressure washer PSI vs GPM, so let’s continue to explore how to choose the correct settings for your machine.
Tips for Choosing Your Pressure Washer PSI vs GPM
Choosing a pressure washer with the right balance of PSI and GPM requires some research. The optimal pressure washer PSI vs GPM can be affected by several factors, like your intended uses, if you need more speed or power, and which accessories you plan to use.
The great news is that many pressure washers come with adjustable settings or accessories that can allow you to work within the baseline PSI or GPM they come in. This will enable you to tailor the PSI and GPM settings to fit the specifics of any given task.
Understanding the Nature of the Cleaning Job
There is a big difference between power washing parking lots and washing cars with pressure washers. You’ll need to consider the specifics of your cleaning job when weighing pressure washer GPM vs PSI.
Remember that PSI affects the force of your water stream, while GPM is concerned with how much water you use. Sometimes, you may need to over-index on pressure washer GPM vs PSI, or vice versa, to clean a given surface safely.
Light surfaces like patios, vehicles, or small decks will benefit from lower PSI and GPM ratings, while heavy-duty jobs like cleaning concrete or removing paint from machines will need higher PSI and GPM to tackle those stubborn stains.
Evaluating Your Needs: Power vs Speed
The difference between Pressure washer PSI vs GPM can be summarized as one of power vs speed. Higher PSI ratings provide the disintegrating power needed for stubborn stains, while higher GPM ensures you aren’t spending all day on your cleaning tasks.
Often, there is compromising on one of these factors can spell disaster. We’ll use the example of Olympic athletes.
Bodybuilders competing at the Olympics are like high PSI, low GPM pressure washers, able to take on the strongest challenges but likely would end up multiple laps behind distance runners.
Conversely, try getting an Olympic sprinter to lift the same amounts, and they’ll never be able to do it. Similarly, a high GPM, low PSI pressure washer can spray water quickly but will never have the force necessary to remove tough stains.
The proper pressure washer settings are like athletes competing in a triathlon, able to deliver the power needed with enough speed to ensure the job is done on time.
How to Choose Your Pressure Washer PSI
So how do we strike the balance of PSI that ensures your pressure washer is strong enough to tackle stains without damaging the underlying surfaces?
Light-duty surfaces like cars or patios can hang around the 1300-2000 PSI range and still easily tackle difficult stains. Medium-level tasks like driveways or decks would benefit from the 2000-2800 range.
Heavy-duty tasks require much more power, however. You can expect 2900 PSI as a minimum, ranging all the way up to 4200 PSI for jobs like cleaning concrete, removing paint, or cleaning factory floors.
It is also important to note that lower PSI ratings may be easier to control and offer more precision. It can be tempting to go for the strongest PSI possible, but striking the right balance is the best way to ensure the job is done safely and thoroughly.
How to Choose Your Pressure Washer GPM
GPM also offers a tricky challenge of balance. Failure to strike the right balance could lead to an excessively high water bill if too high or unsuccessful cleaning if too low.
Light jobs like washing cars or patios can settle around 1.2 to 2.5 GPM. For middle-of-the-road jobs, like decks, driveways, and walls, 2.6 to 3.5 GPM is suitable. Once you get into the heavy-duty range, you’ll need at least 3.6, up to 5.0, to tackle those stubborn stains.
Like with PSI, GPM should remain in a suitable range to avoid damage to your surfaces. This is especially important when working with delicate surfaces like glass, including windows on vehicles or buildings.
Other Crucial Considerations When Investing in a Commercial Pressure Washer in San Antonio
GPM and PSI are two of the most critical factors, but there are a few other things to remember while shopping.
For example, there are many differences between gas vs electric pressure washers. Gas pressure washers are a better choice for outdoor jobs and often contain more power, while electric machines are quieter and more energy efficient, making them a strong choice for indoors.
Additionally, finding the best commercial pressure washers is only half the battle. You’ll also want to invest in the best pressure washer accessories and figure out what soap to use for pressure washers.
Many of these accessories are specialized for tasks, allowing you to tailor your PSI and GPM settings to match your surface. For example, Hotsy’s Foam Cannon is an excellent choice for cleaning vehicles thanks to its ability to safely and accurately distribute your pressure washer soap.
Speaking of detergent, choosing the best soap for pressure washers can make your life much easier. Hotsy’s Carbon-Ate detergent is an industry leader at tackling tough stains, making it a fantastic pairing with high PSI and GPM pressure washers.
Finally, whether you are pressure washing commercial buildings, vehicles, or industrial equipment, following pressure washer safety best practices is critical. These safety tips include wearing proper pressure washer clothing like safety goggles and waterproof gloves, so be sure to invest in those items if you do not already have them.
Final Thoughts on GPM vs PSI for Pressure Washers
PSI and GPM work together to help make pressure washers the most effective cleaning machines. All that is left is for you to start shopping for a device to revolutionize how your business cleans. You may be thinking, where can I buy or rent a pressure washer near me?
Hotsy is the #1 leader in industrial pressure washing, with over 50 years of experience in the field. As South Texas’ certified Hotsy dealer, we’ve been helping business owners from San Antonio to New Braunfels optimize their cleaning routines.
We carry several Hotsy cold and hot pressure washers for sale and a diverse inventory of accessories, soaps, and pressure washing trailers. Our team carries over a century of combined experience in the field, allowing us to offer personalized recommendations and guidance to help you shop.
Whether you need assistance weighing pressure washer GPM vs PSI, you want to find the perfect accessory or are unsure of the best pressure washer for your industry, our knowledgeable and compassionate team has you covered.
Our rental fleet is the best in the business, with state-of-the-art pressure washing trailers and machines that ensure you will be able to get the job done for your business. Plus, we offer best-in-class service, and we’ll always be available by phone or email to make things right if anything goes wrong.
Whether you are in Laredo, Eagle Ford Shale, or Brownsville, our stores are here for you and your business. Stop by one of our stores or call us at (210) 851-9652 to receive a quote and begin buying or renting a hot water pressure washer today!
