Pressure washers

[iateyoubutler]

I need to invest in one, but what is a good one to go for? I always used Karcher years ago, but the last one I had failed terminally after about 5 separate uses (crap)

I keep reading similar stories, they obviously haven`t got their act together, so any other suggestions? Thanks guys

 

[Venod]

I have a Karcher, that I had to repair, my own fault, I kept it in the shed, it must have had water in the pump that froze and cracked the housing, it looked fine but when running it opened up a crack and leaked resulting in pressure drop, I fitted a new pump housing and it has been fine since, now kept inside.

 

[iateyoubutler]

I don`t think you did anything wrong. That`s what happened to mine (stored in the house), and many others, looking at reviews. Mine never even made double figures on the hours used score They are built to fail, and they do........

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Because plastic pumps, except on the semi-pro & pro models.

Nilfisk. Metal pumps. Well-regarded by car detailers (who, like it or not, know stuff about these!)

 

[Randomnerd]

Stihl are very good. I’ve a cold water job and it’s been spot on for cleaning dog kennels, tractors etc. £150 maybe now.

 

[I like Skol]

Had a cheap b&q own brand one for many years (Proline?) until it eventually died after a hard, tortured life. Replaced it with a basic Nilfisk about 2013 and this has been trouble free and impressively powerful.
Off the top of my head I paid about 30-40 for the old one and maybe 50-60 for the Nilfisk.

 

[sleuthey]

It would be a bit like a kettle for me. I would just get the cheapest I could find from Argos and when it breaks 1 year and 1 week later it goes in the recycling bin and I repeat the process. IE it's so cheap you don't repair it. I have tried spending more money on better brands but haven't noticed any difference in durability.

 

[Drago]

My Karcher job expired too. Utter tripe. The planes supplied to North Korean Airways are better built.

 

[screenman]

Direct Hoses for me, I have one having tried most of the other big names that do not compare, Nilfisk etc. is fine once you get into mega hundreds but the cheaper one's well sometimes you get lucky. https://www.directhoses.net/collections/all-black-8-9-pressure-washer

Great thing about the Diect Hoses one is the parts are obtainable, it has an oil soaked pump which you can change the oil every 100 hours or so, I cannot praise this bit of kit enough, do not be put off by it's size it works great.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Direct Hoses for me, I have one having tried most of the other big names that do not compare, Nilfisk etc. is fine once you get into mega hundreds but the cheaper one's well sometimes you get lucky. https://www.directhoses.net/collections/all-black-8-9-pressure-washer

Great thing about the Diect Hoses one is the parts are obtainable, it has an oil soaked pump which you can change the oil every 100 hours or so, I cannot praise this bit of kit enough, do not be put off by it's size it works great.

Yes that oozes quality, and a decent price.
I have a cheap washer which I don't use very often, my Kercher also died as have all others.

 

[screenman]

Yes that oozes quality, and a decent price.
I have a cheap washer which I don't use very often, my Kercher also died as have all others.

It really is quality, it gets a hard life here and never misses a beat. I have owned all the others and most seem to self distruct just out of warranty.

 

[Electric_Andy]

I got a Karcher about 8 years ago and it's still going strong. It is kept outside all the time, but I make sure to fully empty it after use. Maybe their quality has gone down in recent years but mine is fine. I've had probably 50+ hours of use out of mine and it wasn't expensive to start with. But I wouldn't be surprised if major corner-cutting has gone on within the last 5 years

 

[Racing roadkill]

I’ve got a couple of Karchers. The portable one ( OC3 )
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/pressure-washers-hoses/karcher-oc3-portable-cleaner
was a godsend when I lived on a boat, and is great if I’m touring, and don’t have access to an outdoor tap.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/mobi-v-17-portable-bike-pressure-washer/
These are good as well.

 

[Salar]

I went for a Bosch last year . Does everything I want.

Couple of things to check out:-

1. Make sure the hose is long enough, I had to get an extension.

2. Most of the hoses are easily damaged and squashed, seems to be a common problem, so don't stand on the hose or kink it.

 

[iateyoubutler]

Many thanks all, big help