The nozzle of a pressure washer determine the degree of intensity of the water stream created by the machine. Furthermore, the nozzle dictates whether the person using the machine will successfully clean the selected surface or will damage that same surface. It is crucial to choose the correct nozzle for a surface that needs to be cleaned.
Using the wrong nozzle can cause permanent damage to the surface being clean. A nozzle chart exists to help individuals select the correct nozzle for the nozzle based on the color coding of the nozzles. The color of the nozzle indicate the degree of the spray angle of the nozzle.
How to Choose the Right Pressure Washer Nozzle
The spray angle indicates the degree of concentration of the water pressure coming out of the nozzle. For instance, a red nozzle emits a water jet with a zero-degree angle spray. This jet is useful for tasks like removing ice from windows or graffiti from sidewalks.
However, due to the intense pressure of the water jet a red nozzle creates, it will damage soft surface. Yellow nozzels have spray angle of fifteen degrees. This nozzle is useful for removing oil stain on concrete.
Green nozzles have spray angles of twenty-five degrees. These are useful for cleaning decks and fences. White nozzles have spray angles of forty degrees and the blue nozzles have spray angles of sixty-five degrees.
These nozzles are used for the most delicate of surfaces, like cars and windows. As the angle of the spray from the nozzle increase, the pressure of the water in pounds per square inch decreases. For instance, a red nozzle can emit three thousand five hundred pounds per square inch of pressure while a blue nozzle only emits around seven hundred pounds of pressure.
Furthermore, the amount of gallons of water per minute that the nozzle will spit out will vary depending on the nozzle. Nozzles with higher pressure can clean the same surface more fast than nozzles with lower pressure. However, higher the pressure the water comes out of the nozzle, the greater the force with which it can clean different surfaces.
Different surfaces require different amount of pressure. Therefore, individuals must select the correct nozzle for the task to be completed. For instance, concrete surfaces can take the pressure of a yellow nozzle.
If individuals maintain a distance of two feet from the surface with the nozzle, the yellow nozzle will effectively clean the concrete. However, using a yellow nozzle on a wooden surface will cause the wood to splinter. For wooden decks, ensure that the nozzle used is green in color and ensure it is spraying in the same direction in which the wood fiber grow in order to avoid damaging the wooden deck.
White and blue nozzles should only be used on vehicle paint job. Ensure that the distance between the nozzle and the vehicle is at least eighteen inches to avoid damaging the vehicle. Furthermore, manufacturers of pressure washers created some specialty nozzles.
For instance, a rotary turbo nozzle has twin jet coming out of the nozzle head that clean the surface in a scrubbing motion. These are ideal for use on driveways. Another specialty nozzle is the adjustable nozzle.
This nozzle can adjust its spray angle from zero to forty degrees. These are ideal for homes that have a variety of task to complete with their pressure washer. Lastly, the foam cannon is a nozzle attachment that features a low-pressure nozzle that sprays thick soap onto the selected surface.
This should be used prior to using the high-pressure nozzle to assist in the rinsing of the grime built upon the surface. When using a pressure washer nozzle, the nozzle should start at a distance of twenty-four inches from the surface being cleaned. Only use the nozzle at a closer distance from the surface if the nozzle is performing the desired task.
Using the nozzle too close to the surface will create high pressure that may etch the surface. Use sweeping motion on the surface with the nozzle that last for two seconds each. Using short sweeping motions will prevent etching of the surface by the high-pressure water.
When using a pressure washer nozzle, the individual must wear safety goggles, gloves, and boots. These personal protective equipment items will protect the individual from water and debris that may rebound off the surface being cleaned. Electrical outlets should be covered prior to the beginning of the use of the pressure washer.
Otherwise, the water could enter the outlet and cause the machine to fail. Finally, the orifice of the nozzles should be cleaned each week to ensure that no debris is clogging the nozzles that could warp the jets of water emitted from the nozzle.
