At the end of summer, the garden is not the only area that may need some attention. After several months of good weather, outdoor meals, DIY projects, frequent foot traffic in the garden and intensive use of outdoor spaces, dirt may have accumulated on the patio, paths, furniture, walls and even the car.
This is often when we bring out the pressure washer again… or realise that our old machine lacks power, that its hose is too short, or that constantly having to take it out, connect it and put it away again has become inconvenient.
But when considering a new purchase, technical specifications can quickly become difficult to compare: 120, 150 or 180 bar? 1800 or 2200 W? What flow rate should you choose? Is pressure really the most important factor?
In reality, choosing a good pressure washer requires looking at several characteristics at the same time. Here is how to determine how much power you really need to effectively clean a patio, car, façade or various outdoor equipment after the summer.
Why is the end of summer a good time to clean outdoor areas?
During the summer, outdoor spaces are often used much more intensively than during the rest of the year.
The patio is used for meals, barbecues, garden furniture and frequent foot traffic. Paths accumulate dust and traces of soil. The car may return from holiday covered in insects and dirt. Some outdoor surfaces may also begin to show signs left by the weather.
Before autumn really sets in, cleaning is therefore a good opportunity to refresh:
- the patio;
- paths and paving;
- certain compatible walls and façades;
- garden furniture suitable for this type of cleaning;
- low walls;
- the car;
- certain outdoor equipment.
It is also an opportunity to clean certain areas before fallen leaves, moisture and autumn dirt gradually add to the grime accumulated during summer.
How does a pressure washer actually work?
The principle seems simple: the machine uses a pump to spray pressurised water in order to loosen dirt.
However, a pressure washer's performance does not depend solely on the number of bar indicated on its packaging.
Three main characteristics should be considered:
- pressure, expressed in bar;
- water flow rate, generally expressed in litres per hour;
- motor power, expressed in watts.
Other factors also have a major influence on everyday convenience: hose length, accessories, power adjustment, nozzle type, ease of storage and machine mobility.
What do the bar ratings of a pressure washer actually mean?
Pressure expressed in bar indicates the force with which the water can be projected.
The higher the available pressure, the greater the machine's theoretical ability to tackle stubborn dirt.
However, this does not mean that you should automatically look for the highest possible bar rating.
Excessive pressure or using a nozzle too close to a delicate surface can damage certain materials. Conversely, a machine that is not powerful enough may require considerably more time to clean a heavily soiled patio.
The right choice is therefore to have enough power in reserve while still being able to adapt the cleaning intensity to the surface.
120, 150 or 180 bar: which pressure should you choose?
There is no universal figure that is suitable for every user, but several levels of use can be distinguished.
Around 100 to 120 bar
This level may be suitable for light and occasional jobs: small outdoor furniture, bicycles or lightly soiled surfaces, provided that the pressure and working distance are always adjusted appropriately.
Around 130 to 150 bar
This is a much more versatile category.
A machine capable of reaching approximately 150 bar provides a useful power reserve for many household cleaning jobs:
- patios;
- paving and paths;
- cars with an appropriate setting;
- low walls;
- certain exterior walls;
- compatible furniture;
- more stubborn dirt.
For a homeowner looking for a single machine capable of covering most cleaning needs around the home, this category can therefore offer an excellent compromise.
Above 150 bar
More powerful machines can be useful for particularly demanding jobs or large surfaces. However, for versatile household use, extremely high maximum pressure is not necessarily essential.
Why is flow rate almost as important as pressure?
This is a factor that is often overlooked when buying a pressure washer.
Pressure helps loosen dirt. Flow rate helps carry away the loosened dirt and therefore influences how quickly a surface can be rinsed.
Two machines with similar pressure ratings may therefore feel quite different in terms of efficiency if their flow rates are not comparable.
To properly assess a pressure washer, it is therefore best never to look at the bar rating alone.
Pressure and flow rate need to work together.
What do watts mean on a pressure washer?
The wattage corresponds to the electrical power consumed by the motor.
It contributes to the pump's ability to deliver the expected performance, but once again, this figure alone is not enough to determine the quality of a machine.
A 2200 W pressure washer already falls into an interesting category for intensive household use when combined with suitable pressure and flow rate.
It is therefore better to look for a balanced combination of motor, pressure, flow rate, accessories and ergonomics.
What pressure should you use to clean a patio?
Patio cleaning is one of the most common uses for a pressure washer.
However, not all patios should be cleaned in the same way.
Hard-wearing paving, concrete, certain types of stone, wood and composite decking do not have the same resistance to a high-pressure jet.
Before starting:
- check the recommendations of the surface manufacturer;
- always start with moderate pressure;
- keep sufficient distance between the nozzle and the surface;
- test on a small, inconspicuous area;
- increase the intensity gradually only if necessary.
A machine with a good power reserve and several adjustment levels offers a real advantage here: you have the power available when you need it without having to use it at maximum intensity all the time.
What pressure should you use to wash a car?
Car washing requires greater care.
The aim is definitely not to use maximum pressure at very close range on the bodywork.
A pressure washer can be extremely useful for rinsing a car, cleaning wheel arches and removing dirt, provided that you use:
- appropriate pressure;
- a suitable nozzle;
- sufficient distance;
- the correct working angle.
Avoid concentrating the jet at very close range on seals, delicate components, damaged areas or sensitive parts.
For car-cleaning enthusiasts, a foam cannon is also a particularly useful accessory for applying a suitable cleaning product over the entire vehicle.
Can you clean a façade with a pressure washer?
This depends entirely on the type and condition of the façade.
A robust surface in good condition can sometimes be cleaned using suitable pressure, while delicate render, old paint, deteriorated joints or certain porous surfaces may be damaged.
It is therefore essential to check the compatibility of the surface before starting.
Having a powerful pressure washer never means that you should use maximum power on every surface.
The detail that is often underestimated: hose length
When comparing two pressure washers, we immediately look at bar and wattage. Yet in everyday use, hose length can have a huge impact on convenience.
With a short hose, the machine has to be moved regularly when working around a car or cleaning a large patio.
This becomes even more noticeable when you want to reach a path, façade or area located on the other side of the house.
An especially long hose, on the other hand, allows the main unit to remain in a fixed position while you move around with the spray gun.
And this is precisely where a particularly interesting concept for regular users comes into play: the wall-mounted pressure washer.
The wall-mounted pressure washer: a particularly convenient everyday solution
Using a conventional pressure washer generally involves several steps: taking the machine out, positioning it, unwinding the hose, making the necessary connections, cleaning and then putting everything away again afterwards.
For occasional cleaning, this is perfectly acceptable. But when you regularly wash a car, patio or different areas around the home, this preparation can eventually discourage you from carrying out quick cleaning jobs.
The concept of a wall-mounted machine is different: the pressure washer remains installed in its designated location and is therefore much more quickly available whenever you need it.
This is precisely the advantage of the new Brick 150 bar – 2200 W wall-mounted pressure washer available from Chestergarden.
30 metres of hose: why does it really change the way you use the machine?
This is probably one of the most interesting features of this model.
Its 30-metre hose allows you to cover a particularly large area around the installation point.
Depending on the layout of your home, this may allow you to reach:
- a car parked in front of the garage;
- a large part of the patio;
- a driveway or path;
- exterior walls;
- garden furniture;
- various outdoor equipment;
- several areas around the home without moving the machine.
Instead of constantly carrying the pressure washer around, the user simply unwinds the required length of hose and moves around with the spray gun.
For anyone who regularly uses a pressure washer, this difference may seem secondary on a technical specification sheet, but it becomes extremely valuable in everyday use.
An automatic hose reel to keep the hose off the ground
A 30-metre hose would be far less appealing if it had to be manually rolled up after every use.
The Brick wall-mounted model therefore incorporates an automatic hose reel system.
Once cleaning is complete, the hose can therefore be stored much more easily in its dedicated system.
This design offers several advantages:
- the hose does not remain spread across the floor;
- storage is quicker;
- the area around the machine remains better organised;
- the pressure washer is quickly ready for its next use.
This is a particularly useful approach in a garage, workshop or compatible outdoor area where you want to maintain a clean and functional space.
150 bar and 2200 W: versatile enough for jobs around the home
The Brick wall-mounted pressure washer combines 2200 W of power with a maximum pressure of 150 bar and a flow rate of up to 360 L/h.
This combination is particularly well suited to a machine designed for several types of household cleaning jobs.
Rather than looking for extreme pressure intended for a single application, the advantage here is having a machine capable of handling a variety of cleaning tasks around the home.
5 power levels: a real advantage when switching from the patio to the car
A particularly interesting feature is the availability of 5 power levels.
This is important because a hard-wearing patio and a car body obviously do not require the same cleaning intensity.
Being able to adjust the machine's operation makes it easier to switch from one task to another and use a level of power appropriate for the surface being cleaned.
This versatility is much more useful than simply looking for the highest possible maximum pressure.
Controls directly on the spray gun: a small detail that quickly becomes useful
On a wall-mounted machine used with a long hose, having to constantly return to the main unit to make adjustments would be inconvenient.
The Brick model therefore features controls integrated directly into the spray gun.
This allows the user to manage the machine more easily while cleaning without having to return to the wall-mounted unit every time.
Combined with the 30-metre hose, this feature makes perfect sense: the objective is to allow the user to move freely around the cleaning area while leaving the main unit in place.
Turbo nozzle and foam cannon: two genuinely useful accessories
The accessories supplied can considerably expand the range of uses of a pressure washer.
The turbo nozzle is particularly useful for tackling certain stubborn dirt on compatible surfaces. Naturally, it should be used carefully and only on surfaces that are sufficiently resistant.
The 1-litre foam cannon is particularly convenient for car washing or for applying certain compatible cleaning products.
For anyone looking to use the same installation to regularly clean both their car and the outdoor areas around their home, these accessories significantly increase the versatility of the system.
Who is a wall-mounted pressure washer particularly suitable for?
This type of design does not meet exactly the same needs as a small portable pressure washer that can be transported to different locations.
A wall-mounted model becomes particularly interesting if:
- you regularly clean your car at home;
- you have a garage, workshop or suitable location for a fixed installation;
- you have a patio that requires regular maintenance;
- you want to reach several areas without moving the machine;
- you no longer want to manually roll up a long hose after every use;
- you like the idea of having your equipment immediately available.
In this situation, the main advantage ultimately lies not only in cleaning performance. It also comes from how easy it is to start and finish a cleaning job.
A machine that is easier to use is also a machine that you are more likely to use regularly.
Wall-mounted or mobile pressure washer: which should you choose?
It all depends on how you intend to use it.
A mobile model remains particularly useful when you need to transport the machine between several distant locations or use it at different sites.
A wall-mounted model, on the other hand, prioritises immediate availability and convenience around a fixed installation point.
With a 30-metre hose, however, the working area becomes large enough to cover many needs around a home.
If your main objective is to regularly clean your car, patio, paths and various surfaces around the home, the wall-mounted concept can therefore be extremely practical.
How much power should you ultimately choose for versatile use?
When choosing your machine, do not automatically look for the highest possible bar rating.
For household use including patios, cars, paths and certain compatible exterior walls, a machine delivering around 150 bar with a properly sized motor and suitable flow rate already offers excellent versatility.
Then look at the features that will have a genuine impact on everyday use:
- adjustable power;
- hose length;
- ease of storage;
- included accessories;
- nozzle type;
- a foam cannon if you wash your car;
- mobility or fixed installation depending on your needs.
It is often this combination that distinguishes a machine that is pleasant to use from a pressure washer that you hesitate to take out because setting it up is too inconvenient.
After summer, take advantage of cleaning to tidy up your entire outdoor space
Cleaning the patio can be part of a more general end-of-summer garden tidy-up.
This is also a good time to:
- tackle overgrown areas with a brush cutter;
- finish lawn edges with a grass trimmer;
- trim hedges and shrubs;
- clean patios and paths;
- gradually organise outdoor equipment in preparation for autumn.
A few well-targeted jobs are often enough to quickly make the entire garden look much cleaner and better maintained.
At Chestergarden, specialist in tools, gardening, DIY and outdoor living, we select equipment designed to make both everyday maintenance and larger jobs around the home easier.
So, how many bar do you really need for a good pressure washer?
For versatile household use, there is no point reducing your choice to a race for the highest bar rating.
A maximum pressure of around 150 bar, combined with a suitable motor, coherent flow rate and, above all, the ability to adjust the intensity, is already sufficient for a very wide range of jobs around the home.
Your final choice should then depend on how you actually intend to use the machine.
If you only use your pressure washer a few times a year and need to transport it to different locations, a mobile model may be perfectly suitable.
If you regularly clean your car, patio and outdoor areas from the same part of your home, the Brick 150 bar and 2200 W wall-mounted pressure washer with 30-metre automatic retractable hose offers a particularly convenient approach: leave the machine in place and make pressure washing available almost immediately.
Because in everyday use, the best pressure washer is not simply the one with enough power: it is also the one that is easy to use whenever you need it.
FAQ: choosing a pressure washer for patios, cars and façades
How many bar do you need to clean a patio?
It depends on the material and its condition. A machine capable of reaching approximately 130 to 150 bar provides a good power reserve for many household cleaning jobs, but you should always adapt the pressure, nozzle and working distance to the resistance of the surface.
Is 150 bar enough for a pressure washer?
Yes, 150 bar already provides an interesting maximum pressure for versatile household use, including patios, paths, cars and various compatible outdoor surfaces.
Can you wash a car with a 150 bar pressure washer?
Yes, provided that you do not use maximum pressure at very close range. Choose an appropriate setting and nozzle, maintain sufficient distance and avoid concentrating the jet on delicate or damaged components.
Are watts important on a pressure washer?
Yes, but wattage should not be considered on its own. Pressure, flow rate, the pump and the machine's overall characteristics should also be taken into account.
Pressure or flow rate: which is more important?
Both are important. Pressure helps loosen dirt, while flow rate helps remove the loosened dirt and rinse the surface effectively.
Can you clean a façade with a pressure washer?
It depends on the surface and its condition. Some surfaces can be cleaned using suitable pressure, while render, paint, joints or delicate surfaces may be damaged. Always check compatibility before starting.
What is the advantage of a wall-mounted pressure washer?
It remains installed in a fixed location and can therefore be ready to use more quickly. Combined with a sufficiently long hose, it allows you to clean different areas around the home without constantly moving the main unit.
Is a 30-metre hose really useful?
Yes, particularly around a home. A long hose allows you to work around a car, across a patio or reach different areas while leaving the pressure washer in its fixed location.
What is the purpose of an automatic hose reel on a pressure washer?
It makes storing the hose after use easier and eliminates the need to manually roll up a long hose. It also helps keep the working area better organised.
Is a turbo nozzle useful?
It can be very effective against certain stubborn dirt on hard-wearing compatible surfaces. Because of its more intensive action, it should be used carefully on delicate materials.
What is a foam cannon used for?
It allows you to apply a compatible foaming product to a surface. It is particularly popular for pre-washing cars.
Wall-mounted or mobile pressure washer: which is better?
A mobile model is preferable when the machine needs to be transported between different locations. A wall-mounted model is particularly convenient for regular use around a home when its hose is long enough to reach the main areas that need cleaning.
