How to get the most out of your pressure washer

A pressure washer is not just something you break out on the weekend to clean the drive or wash down the boat. These machines have serious trade and industrial applications and using them properly can make your work more efficient.

Get the right tool for the job

For those not frequently using pressure washers around the workplace, you may be at loss as to which model you need. Until now, it's quite possible you hadn't given it much thought. Well, to demystify it, there are a few basic features to choose from.

Pressure - a 1,500 or 2,000 psi is more than enough to tackle clean up after a messy deck installation, but if you're looking at graffiti removal or a task that requires industrial power, a 4,000 psi machine is probably more your style.

Power - for indoor environments, like cleaning down a factory or shop​, an electric machine is probably preferable as it won't release fumes into a confined space. For extra mobility and outdoor applications, a petrol-powered machine is ideal - especially if you are working on roadworks or a site that doesn't have electrical power to it.

Hot or cold - most pressure washers will do just fine with cold water but if you want some serious degreasing power, a hot water machine may be what you need for the job.

Capacity - pressure cleaners will connect to a hose outlet or water tank wherever you are, but if you are away from a water supply or you need a combination of power, portability and hours of capacity, a trailer-mounted washer may be ideal for your application.

Accessorise your pressure washer

You wouldn't get a barbecue without the tools, right? Well, a pressure washer is similar in that regard. Although perfect on its own for many jobs, without the right accessories you can be limiting yourself.

For pressure washing at height, a telewand is ideal. It simply extends the end of the pressure washer so that you can clean around the second floor of a building without climbing up a ladder. This could be a real benefit for builders cleaning up after construction, as recent data shows that this industry experiences a high rate of injuries, including falls from height.

Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for 2013-14 showed that men working in the construction industry were more likely to be injured at work than a lot of other groups.

A rotary kleen provided by Kennards Hire will be ideal if you are using your pressure washer to clean out a factory or food preparation facility. The rotary action gets rid of any streaks and the telltale squiggly lines of pressure washer use.

A sandblast attachment is deal for removing large areas of flaky paint or heavy grime, and when combined with your pressure washer and some lime granules, you'll be able to get any truck yard looking like a million bucks again.

Who knows, a pressure washer and some accessories could be all you need to start your own small business that could perform all these tasks and more.