When performing pressure washing, it is important to select the correct nozzle for the surfaces that you are cleaning. Pressure washing require a balance between the force of the water and the fragility of the surface that is being cleaned. Nozzles used in pressure washing are color-coded to indicate the spray angle of the nozzle.
Nozzles with a narrow spray angle will emit the majority of the water jet from a narrow area, while nozzles with a wide spray angle will spread the force of the water from the nozzle over a wider area. Because of the way that narrow spray nozzles focus the force of the water to a small area, these types of nozzle have the potential to damage soft materials like wood or paint. The red nozzle emits a very narrow stream of water that is used to clean especially stubborn debris or to etch concrete.
How to Choose the Right Nozzle for Pressure Washing
The red nozzle is dangerous, however, as it can damage vinyl siding or the skin of the person using the nozzle. Thus, individuals should use the red nozzle with caution, and many individuals simply dont wish to use the red nozzle due to the power that it possesses. The yellow nozzle emits a wider stream of water then the red nozzle and is used to clean heavy grease stains from brick patios.
The green nozzle emits a fan shaped stream of water and is used to clean fences or boats. Additionally, people consider the green nozzle to be safer than the red nozzle as it does not emit as focused a stream of water. The white nozzle emits a wide fan shaped stream of water and is used for the cleaning of especially delicate surfaces, such as car paint or window screens.
Thus, the white nozzle is used to push debris off of a delicate surface rather than blasting the water against that surface. The black nozzle emits a low pressure stream of water and is primarily used to apply soap to the surface that is being cleaned. While the black nozzle does not offer the high pressure necessary to clean most surface, it is still an important part of a pressure washing machine.
For large driveways made of concrete, either a turbo nozzle or a rotary nozzle can be used. Turbo nozzles emit both the concentrated power of a narrow jet and the wider spray of a wide fan nozzle. However, due to the aggressive way that turbo nozzles can clean an area, they should not be used on wood or painted surface.
The PSI (pounds per square inch) rating of a pressure washer determine the amount of pressure that the pressure washer will emit. The electric models of pressure washers will emit less PSI than the gas models. Thus, electric models are often used for light tasks, such as rinsing a bicycle, while gas models are used for heavy tasks, such as driveway cleaning.
If you use a nozzle that emits to much pressure against a delicate surface, the delicate surface will be damaged. For instance, using a narrow nozzle with high pressure against a vehicle can cause the clear coat of the vehicle to peel. In order to ensure that your pressure washing equipment functions as it should, some maintenance is required.
The nozzles on your pressure washer may become clogged with mineral deposits. If the nozzles becomes clogged with mineral deposits, the spray pattern that they emit may be ruined. You can soak the nozzle in white vinegar to clean the mineral deposits out of the nozzle.
Additionally, you should inspect the O-rings on your pressure washer. The O-rings prevents water from leaking out of your pressure washer. Applying petroleum jelly to these O-rings will prevent them from cracking.
If you can ensure that the proper nozzle is used for each type of surface to be cleaned, and if the pressure washer is properly maintained, you can effectively clean the surface without damaging it.
