Pressure on pressure washer can be adjusted by regulating the motor valve of the engine also known as the unloader valve, using a Vario Power spray wand, pressure washer nozzles or spray tips, or by taking a step closer or back from the surface that is being cleaned.
More information about do pressure washers have adjustable pressure, how to adjust the pressure on a pressure washer, and can you adjust the pressure on gas pressure washers is provided below.
Do Pressure Washers Have Adjustable Pressure?
Yes, pressure washers have adjustable pressure that is indicated in bars or pounds per square inch – PSI. Pressure washers should be adjustable so the pressure applied to the surface being cleaned doesn’t damage it. Lighter cleaning tasks require 800 to 1,000 PSI or 100 to 110 bars while heavy-duty cleaning tasks require adjusting the pressure of the pressure washer between 3,000 and 4,000 PSI.
How to Adjust Pressure on Pressure Washer
To adjust the pressure on a pressure washer, use one of the methods listed below:
Adjust the unloader valve
To adjust the pressure on a pressure washer via the unloader valve, the pressure washer motor should be running and set at around 3,700 RPM initially, then at 3,400 RPM when it is under the load. The nylon lock nuts should be taken off the unloader valve, the knob should be adjusted and spun so it is removed from the bay to turn the pressure off. The spring and the washer should be removed from the valve to access the threaded pistons. Threaded pistons have two locknuts that should be locked with a wrench. Three threads should be installed off the bottom, the washer, spring, and locknuts should be re-installed. A pressure gauge should be installed between the pump and the hose.
Adjust the Vario Power Spray wand
Electric pressure washers and some gas pressure washers are equipped with a VPS or Vario Power Spray wand that can be used for adjusting the water flow coming out of the pressure washer wand and the pressure it delivers.
The pressure washer wand can be narrowed so it is spraying water at a different pressure without having to replace the nozzle. The pressure washer wand should be narrowed so it delivers high pressure or widened so it delivers low pressure, which is most suitable for cleaning larger surfaces.
Changing the pressure washer nozzle
Pressure washer nozzles can be used for adjusting pressure and spraying pattern on the pressure washer. Pressure washer nozzles with wide spray openings deliver water at low pressure while nozzles with narrow sprays deliver high pressure. When using pressure washer detergent or soap, low-pressure nozzles should be used. When rinsing the surface, more cleaning power is needed and a narrower nozzle should be used to increase the pressure delivered. To regulate the speed of the pressure washer engine, adjust the pressure coming out of the nozzle.
Cleaning distance
To adjust the pressure on a pressure washer, the nozzle should be held at a greater or lesser distance from the surface being cleaned. To increase the pressure applied to the surface, the pressure washer hose or nozzle should be held closer to the surface. To reduce the pressure applied, the pressure washer hose or nozzle should be held at a distance.
Safety Tips
- The water pressure coming out of the pressure washer should be tested on a small area before cleaning the whole surface to prevent damages.
- The pressure washer pressure shouldn’t exceed 600 PSI when cleaning cedar, pine, or other softwoods while hardwoods can withstand the water pressure of 1,200 to 1,500 PSI.
- The pressure washer should be set at 3,000 maximum when pressure washing concrete.
- Vinyl sidings should be cleaned using pressure washers set at 1,000 PSI maximum.
- Eye protection, mask, and gloves should be worn when adjusting pressure on a pressure washer.
FAQ
1. Can you adjust the pressure on the gas pressure washer?
To adjust the pressure on the gas pressure washer, the pressure regulator’s dial should be turned left or right, depending on whether the pressure should be increased or decreased. Some gas pressure washers have regulators on the spray wand that allow adjusting the pressure.
2. How to adjust the pressure on the electric pressure washer?
To adjust the pressure on the electric pressure washer, change the setting on the Vario wand or change the nozzle tip.
3. Why is my pressure washer low on pressure?
If a pressure washer is low on pressure, the air may be entering the pump, one of the inlets is restricted, or the inlet plumbing is not properly sealed.
4. Why is my pressure washer surging?
The pressure washer can be surging or pulsating and not delivering the needed pressure if the pressure washer nozzle’s tip is blocked or if the pressure washer hose is leaking.
5. How to adjust the pressure on a Hotsy pressure washer?
To adjust the pressure on a Hotsy pressure washer, rotate the wand and unscrew the threaded connection using a wrench. A pressure gauge that is rated at the same PSI level as the Hotsy pressure washer should be installed between the pressure washer hose and the wand assembly. The pressure gauge and the wand assembly should be connected to the threaded connection. The unloader valve’s locknut, located nearby the pressure switch, should be loosened a few inches by using a wrench. The locknut shouldn’t be completely removed from the unloader valve. To decrease the PSI of the Hotsy pressure washer, the retaining nut on the unloader valve should be turned anti-clockwise and clockwise to increase the PSI using a wrench.
6. How do I know if my pressure washer unloader is bad?
If a pressure washer unloader is bad, the water pressure coming out of the pressure washer will be too high, water will be spraying out of the relief valve, or the engine exhaust will be releasing smoke.
7. Can you use a pressure washer with low pressure?
Yes, a pressure washer with low pressure can be used for washing cars, vinyl, and windows. A larger hose diameter can be used with a pressure washer with low pressure for washing larger surfaces.
8. Why is my pressure washer not building pressure?
If a pressure washer is not building pressure, it could be that the wand, nozzle, gun, or pressure hose are clogged or there is an internal pump problem.
9. How can I make my pressure washer more powerful?
To make a pressure washer more powerful, use a 0-degree nozzle, optimize the engine, or replace the unloader valve or the pressure regulator.
10. Why does my Karcher pressure washer keep losing pressure?
Karcher pressure washer may be losing pressure if the water supply is insufficient or if the high-pressure hose is clogged, kinked, or leaking.
