Spring time, should i buy a pressure washer?

[evident]

my house needs to be pressure washed, badly. I was thinking about picking up a $300 simpson brand pressure washer w/ honda engine at costco until i saw reviews that pretty much everything on it will break after the first use and that service from simpson is nonexistant. I know i can just buy it, use it and return it when it breaks since it's costco but I'd feel bad doing so.

So my next question is what's a good pressure washer to buy, and how much do i have to spend to get something that will last me more than one use? any recommendations? Would i be better off just paying someone $200 to do it ?

I will be typically using it to clean the siding of my house, driveway, and rims on my vehicles.

 

[cbrsurfr]

Can you just rent one? I've yet to find one that will last more than a couple times.

 

[Squeetard]

Yah, I bought a Coleman and it sucks, still working but the damn thing air locks and shuts down all the time.

 

[Alamat]

I have one of those $100 ones but I don't think it could work for house washing. I only use it for cars and small stuff.
I didn't know those $300 ones don't last. Geez!
I suppose renting is your only option or have someone do it for you.

 

[olds]

Rent a good gas one. Those cheap electric ones are up to the task of washing before painting.

 

[Meghan54]

Bought this Generac gas powered pressure washer last year for $250: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Generac-...essure-Washer-6022/203407369?N=5yc1vZbxdjZ4ph

I have used it maybe 10 hours so far and so far, it's worked great. First washed the house, took a few hours. Then used the second highest pressure tip to strip old loose paint off the front porch railings and floor before repainting.

Figured for what I've used it for so far, I could sell it used and still have paid much less than paying someone to do the house washing. Then again, I did pressure wash a neighbor's concrete driveway for $50, so it's becoming an almost free washer when I sell it.

 

[slag]

Can you just rent one? I've yet to find one that will last more than a couple times.

I have a nice 2400 psi unit with a briggs and stratton engine that I've owned for about 10 years. Bought it at home depot and have never done anything to it except put gas in it and change the oil every once and awhile. I also had to buy a new pressure hose but that's because my neighbor I loaned it to let it rest against the muffler guard and it melted the hose.

 

[olds]

I have a nice 2400 psi unit with a briggs and stratton engine that I've owned for about 10 years. Bought it at home depot and have never done anything to it except put gas in it and change the oil every once and awhile. I also had to buy a new pressure hose but that's because my neighbor I loaned it to let it rest against the muffler guard and it melted the hose.

The neighbor didn't replace the hose?

 

[Vdubchaos]

Get a Honda one....

Remember, reviews should be taken with a grain of salt. Most people don't have a clue how to maintain their equipment. Do they store it with old gas for months at a time? etc etc

As long as you empty out the gas after each use and don't leave the gas in there for months at a time, you should be good.

I would still go with a reputable name, my friend has a Honda and it's been great.

 

[slag]

The neighbor didn't replace the hose?

I don't think he noticed it but I did when I turned it on and it was spraying water from the hose. I think he turned it off, coiled up the hose, and brought it back over and left it near my garage and the hose rubbed against the muffler at that time. He's a good guy, always helpful, and their son outgrows clothes and they give them to us, so i didn't want to bother him with the hose issue. A new one was cheap enough.