Pressure washer shite - recommendations from shiters

[AMC Rebel]

Actually, I don't collect base-spec beige pressure washers, but the one I have is sort of shite in that I've had it 21+ years and have dismantled and repaired it multiple times, but it is now about shagged.

 

It's an old Karcher

 

I have a few accessories for it  (patio cleaner thing, new pressure hose and new nozzle) so I thought I'd just get a new pump unit - however -

 

Almost all of the Karchers on offer are either very expensive (although probably comparable with what I paid 21+ years ago) or come with a load of accessories I don't need.

 

There are cheapy petrol ones about for £160-£200 - which is what I paid for my old one - they look like a potential good deal.

 

I have a massive blockwork driveway (along with the garage that's why I bought this place) - it always looks totally shabby and riddled with weeds and moss so ideally I want something that will tame all that in about 10 mins - am I being delusional to think the petrol ones might be better for this? 

[Royale80]

I've got an old electric Karcher-works well.

 

I was given a tip by a builder the other day-I told him I was going to blast my patio with my Karcher as it was extremely dirty.

 

He said to try brushing bleach with a stiff sweeping brush.-the reason being you don't blow out the grout. Gave it a go and was amazed by the results. Will do the whole patio with bleach now. 

 

Steve

[sierraman]

Wouldn't use a jet washer on block paving with the main jet, will start to lift the bricks. Would take longer but I'd use some moss killer and a stiff broom. If it's stains on the bricks you want to shift then brick acid.

[AMC Rebel]

Thanks all.

 

What is this "brushing bleach" of which you speak?  I would probably need about a million gallons.  

 

I have used the patio thingy and the pressure washer lance on the drive before (and paid a bloke to do it once too) - we resealed it with sand afterwards and it looked OK for a few months.  The main problem is there is just too much of it (good for chod, but a pain to keep clean and tidy)

[sierraman]

I've got block paving, it looks ok but it's a pain in the arse to keep. If you go at it with a jetwasher it will start to lift and blocks start coming out. It's harder work but I'd use a really stiff brush and one of those wire brush cleaners. Seal it up with sand then control the weeds with some sort of weedkiller possibly granular or an occasional water with Glyphosphate such as Clinic Ace.

[Mally]

Yes my builder mate told me never to power wash blocks or flags.

I power wash cars on my flags and it destroys the joints. Once the joint has washed out the replaced sand is never as good.

The vast amount of water in the sand underneath causes the flags to become uneven with the weight of cars.

Mind you I've been doing it ten years now.

[sierraman]

You can see the bodge jobs on block paving round us where there's the sunken bits where the wheels have sat after about 3 years.

 

Similar for decking. Worst thing you can do is jetwash it.

[Dave_Q]

I've recently bought a Karcher K2 compact on offer at B&Q for £48 or something, they have it on offer about 50% of the time.

[5speedracer]

Patio Magic from B&Q. Gets rid of all the green easily.

Probably Agent Orange by another name (topical reference).

 

Sent from my X17 using Tapatalk

[Royale80]

I just pored bleach onto the floor added a bit of water and scrubbed with a stiff broom-worked for me.

[tapir]

i've got a karcher with the patio attachment, does a great job.

get a snow foam gun to go with it

[DodgeRover]

I've got a Nilfisk one and it's better than my Karcher...

A diesel powered steam cleaner is better though, traffic film remover also works on block paving.

[AMC Rebel]

i've got a karcher with the patio attachment, does a great job.

get a snow foam gun to go with it

I've already got the snowfoam gun - one of the reasons I was thinking of getting another Karcher.

[AMC Rebel]

I've got a Nilfisk one and it's better than my Karcher...

A diesel powered steam cleaner is better though, traffic film remover also works on block paving.

Now we're talking

[AMC Rebel]

OK looks like I've been living a charmed life jetwashing the bugger so far - it hasn't sunk or removed any blocks - mind you that could be cos the jet wash is too weedy.  The only uneven bit is from next door's tree roots at one point.

[sierraman]

Possibly if you keep the pressure down and use the patio attachment you might be ok, but then you might as well hose it down by the same token. As I say I'd get the proprietary cleaner and do it by hand - pressure washing can be very inconsistent anyway by the nature of the pressure you are applying on a concentrated area.

[cobblers]

I've recently bought a Karcher K2 compact on offer at B&Q for £48 or something, they have it on offer about 50% of the time.

I got mine for £44 on Amazon, as far as pressure washers go it's better than any I've owned - the hose isn't that horrible cheap plastic stuff (but not much better) but you can actually realistically wind the hose and cord up and hang them off the side of it and stick it in the shed. Comes with the fan jet for cars and the swirly jet for patios and wallpaper stripping.

[Jifflemon]

Best weedkiller I've found is this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-X-5L-GALLUP-360-VERY-STRONG-PROFESSIONAL-GLYPHOSATE-WEEDKILLER-/231507200168?var=&hash=item0

 

When the mixing instructions mention dilution ratios in Hectares and the label has scary warning signs on it, you know it'll do the job.

 

Not so good if you've pets of course...

[Mally]

OK looks like I've been living a charmed life jetwashing the bugger so far - it hasn't sunk or removed any blocks - mind you that could be cos the jet wash is too weedy.  The only uneven bit is from next door's tree roots at one point.

 

Weedy is good.

Strong removes laquer then paint eventually. Then the laquer and paint block the drains up. I may have a photo if it rains heavy tonight.

[sierraman]

The best weedkiller is Clinic Ace, farmers use this, considerably more effective than you'd get from anything you'd buy non trade. It's supposedly a trade only purchase but you can buy it on eBay. Roundup etc is shit, you want industrial grade agricultural stuff such as Clinic.

[AMC Rebel]

I hope you all realise this thread has effectively led to me NOT buying a piece of equipment with an engine

[AMC Rebel]

I bought a Karcher K4 full control.  It was an unreliable piece of crap that I am about to scrap, so if anyone has any updated recommendations......

[tapir]

I bought a Karcher K4 full control.  It was an unreliable piece of crap that I am about to scrap, so if anyone has any updated recommendations......

 

What's up with it? 3 year warranty with karcher?

I've got a k4 too (older model - prob 5 years old)

[stripped fred]

I could also do with a recommendation. Budget up to £100.

[Zelandeth]

Wish I could remember what the one we used to have at the garage was.  I know I've got a photo of it somewhere, but trying to actually find it is another story.

 

It was a very simple unit, no case to speak of...Literally just a whacking great induction motor with a pump and waterproof box on one end and a small frame to make it easier to manhandle.

 

Pressure was adjustable from "sensible" to "can't bloody stand up without bracing myself before pulling the trigger."  Fittings were all standardised so could be bought in from any number of sources.

 

It was one of those bit of kit that just exuded an aura of purposeful, simplistic quality.  Seem to recall it cost something like £500 though, so it should well have done!

 

Never caused us any trouble in several years - though it was all bolted together by sensible fasteners, so was probably easily serviceable.

[3VOM]

Have a read on Detailing World to see what are the current favourites and cheap deals.

[Tamworthbay]

Lidl special bought last year is brilliant, they had them in again in our local one last week.

[AMC Rebel]

What's up with it? 3 year warranty with karcher?

I've got a k4 too (older model - prob 5 years old)

 

It's making next to no pressure and the switch has failed for the second time.  Have you seen the insides of these?  The meaty looking switch on the casing is connected to a bit of very flimsy plastic that operates a normal rocker switch via a piece of metal that swivels to cut off the detergent. It's unnecessarily complex and flimsy at the same time.

 

The pump is decent, but everything else is utter crap

 

No idea where the receipt is or where I bought from - suspect B&Q but not sure.  T'internet is full of similar tales of them being expensive shit.

 

I reckon I may as well go cheap and cheerful.

 

[cobblers]

hahah, that switch contraption is fuckin fantastic!

 

I've got a karcher k2, it was £38 off amazon and it'll blast lots of water at things and also foam at things and I'm not bothered about dragging it up and down the street on it's side etc.

[paulplom]

I did a fair bit of research when I bought mine last year. I ended up with screwfixes own brand and have been more than happy with it.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttb669prw-130bar-pressure-washer-1-8kw-240v/5014j?_requestid=44933

Good price as well. I've had at least 5 pressure washers in the past including a petrol 4 stroke one. I agree that karcher are shite and probably be avoided. They were good a long time ago but now seem to be mass produced cheap crap, built down to a cost and living off there once good name. Think vag.