Now that summer is officially here, it's time to wipe down that patio furniture and clean up the deck. Some people used to rent power washers to get the job done quickly, but now that they've dropped in price, many are buying them.

Even though they just spray water they can pack quite a punch so you have to be careful using them. Pressure washers can deliver up to 75 times more pressure than an ordinary garden hose while using up to 80 per cent less water.

Gas-powered pressure washers generally offer higher pressure than electric washers, making them ideal for medium to heavy-duty jobs. They also don't need to be tied to nearby outlets or attached to extension cords.

Electric pressure washers are compact, lightweight and convenient. While you do need an electrical outlet and an extension cord, electric washers are low-maintenance and provide continuous power with no need to add fuel or change oil. They are ideally suited for small to medium-sized cleaning projects.

Electric power washers: 

• Best for Small Jobs
• Lighter and Easier to Handle
• Less Expensive
• Slower
• More Fragile Plastic Parts

Gas-powered washers:

• Best for Larger Jobs
• Better for Tough Stains
• Noisy, Heavy & Smelly Fumes
• May Require Tune-ups & Oil Changes
• Greater Risk of Damage or Injury

Pressure washer performance is measured in PSI, GPM and CU.

PSI: Pounds per square inch of water pressure created by the pump. Increased PSI will increase cleaning power.

GPM: Gallons per minute, or volume, of water delivered to the spray gun.

CU: Cleaning units is the measurement of pressure (PSI) and flow (GPM) achieved from a spray nozzle. It is the most accurate way of measuring the total cleaning speed and power of a pressure washer. The higher the CU, the greater variety of items you can clean.

Pressure Washer Safety:

• Pressure washers can exert enough force or power to peel flesh from bones, cause skin lacerations and result in water/air bubbles within the veins
• For gas-powered units, never fill the fuel tank of the pressure washer while the engine is running or while the engine is still hot
• When changing or adding oil, do not overfill the engine crankcase
• Do not start the pressure washer until all hose connections have been checked and found to be in the proper closed and locked position
• Always ensure that the water is turned on at the garden hose and is flowing from the end of the extension before turning the pressure washer on
• Be sure to lock the nozzle's trigger safety system whenever it's not being used.
• Always vent off the pressure in the system before beginning to uncouple hoses
• Never adjust the spray pattern or change a spray tip while spraying
• Using a pressure washer from a ladder, scaffolding, or other unstable position is not recommended