If you’re a homeowner, you probably realize the importance of having cleaner indoors. However, finding a water source and ensuring maximum reach within the house can be challenging. Luckily, a pressure washer can simplify things for you in this case. If you don’t have a hose connection or outdoor tap, consider hooking up the pressure washer to a kitchen tap. Let’s see how to do this.
How to connect a pressure washer to a kitchen tap?
To attach a pressure washer to a kitchen tap, ensure the tap has a threaded outlet that fits the input of the pressure washer. After that, attach the hose adapter to the tap. Connect the inlet hose of the pressure washer to the adaptor. Once you’ve checked for leaks and turned on the pressure washer and tap, you’re ready to go.
This article will guide you on connecting a pressure washer to a kitchen tap. We’ll review everything you need to learn, including installing your pressure washer and picking the suitable adaptor. Irrespective of where your water source is, you’ll be prepared for any outdoor cleaning chore by the time you finish reading this article.
Contents
- 1 How Do You Hook Up a Pressure Washer to a Tap?
- 2 Do Pressure Washers Use Lots of Water?
- 3 What’s the Difference Between a Power Washer and A Pressure Washer?
- 4 Do You Need a Water Tank for A Pressure Washer?
- 5 Can A Pressure Washer Damage Plumbing?
- 6 How Do You Pressure Wash A 2-Story House Without a Ladder?
How Do You Hook Up a Pressure Washer to a Tap?
A pressure washer is a powerful tool for cleaning your surfaces thoroughly and effectively. But first, you must learn how to connect your pressure washer to a tap-in to get started. Luckily, the procedure is relatively simple and can be finished with only a few easy steps. Before we proceed, it is important to note that the pressure washer will only work if your kitchen tap and garden hose are compatible.
Step 1: Check Hose Length
Before you begin cleaning, ensure the hose length is enough if the cleaning is required indoors. You may not need a long hose for outdoor cleaning in most cases. The next step is to find a tap adapter or a connector that works with your tap and pressure washer.
Step 2: Connect the Adapter
Connect the tap and the adapter. After attaching it to the tap, tighten the adaptor. Make sure you follow the guidelines that come with your adaptor.
Turn on the tap after the adaptor is locked. Make sure there aren’t leaks or loose connections. If water is dripping from the edges, close the tap and reattach the adaptor. Make sure all the leaks are dealt with before moving forward.
Step 3: Connect the Garden Hose
Connect the garden hose pipe once the tap adapter is installed. The adapter and pipe are simple to plug in. Open a window or door and pass the hose through once the pipe has been connected to the tap adapter. The hose is now attached to the kitchen tap on one end and unattached on the outside.
Turn on the tap and observe the hose. It should release water. Turn off the tap and tighten the adaptor if there are leaks. Proceed to step 4 if there are no leaks.
Step 4: Turn the Tap on
Attach the other end of the hose to the pressure washer using a free-flow connector. Once the mains supply connection is set, assemble the pressure washer hose assembly. This consists of a high-pressure hose attached to the spray wand.
After ensuring all connections are tight, turn on the mains water supply. Pull the trigger of the spray gun and observe the water pressure. If the nozzles are clean and the connections are tight, the water pressure will be adequate for cleaning to begin.
The potential problems you should watch out for are the short hose or the tap adapter suddenly coming loose. This is why it’s important to get the hose with adequate length.
Do Pressure Washers Use Lots of Water?
A standard pressure washer, on average per minute (GPM), consumes 2-4 gallons of water. In contrast, a garden hose setup utilizes 8.55 gallons of water per minute. A pressure washer can conserve up to 80% more water than a standard garden hose. Doing so can result in significant water bill reductions.
A pressure washer’s nozzle opening is much narrower than a water hose. As with a hose, the water is pushed through a smaller hole to increase speed rather than pour out more gradually. With this design, these machines wash with a much more powerful water jet that dislodges dirt, filth, algae, etc.
Furthermore, using a pressure washer charges the water droplets as they are sprayed out, resulting in their greater adherence to filth for removal without chemical cleaners.
Note: Gallons per minute (GPM) are used to measure the flow rate of pressure washers.
What’s the Difference Between a Power Washer and A Pressure Washer?
The significant difference is heat when comparing power washing to pressure washing. Pressure washers use water at ambient temperature, while power washing machines use hot water for a jet wash.
Both these methods use water pressure to wash away dirt, filth, algae, and other stains from all kinds of surfaces. Yet, water is heated during power washing to remove stubborn grime.
– Power Washer:
A power washer’s hot water allows it to perform on surfaces where a pressure washer would not be much effective. If you have areas with tough filth and grime, such as grease, salt, or mildew, a power washer is preferable. The hot water jet is effective in removing stubborn dirt or debris.
Moreover, power washing is usually done on concrete and mortar surfaces that can withstand heat.
– Pressure Washer:
A pressure washer is more suited for domestic cleaning applications such as washing dirt from your driveways or car. These machines are less harsh on some surfaces, such as masonry, limestone, and brick.
When to use what?
If you’re a homeowner, power washing is recommended only if you own a large property with a significant buildup of organic matter that is too tough for pressure washers to dislodge. Otherwise, a pressure washer is ideal for homeowners as it’s easy on most surfaces and quite effective too.
However, power washing is preferred for commercial uses as it cleans much faster and results in better productivity.
Do You Need a Water Tank for A Pressure Washer?
In most pressure washers, you can use an external water tank as a water source. However, the tank’s placement is critical to feed the water to the pressure washer.
In pressure washers, the inlet water source can be either a water tap or an external tank. In the case of a water tank, the pressure difference between the tank and the pressure washer must be adequate for the water to flow into the pressure washer.
The tank needs to be placed at a certain height above the ground to increase this pressure. You can use a metallic stand or a stool with a tough build to place the tank on it while you use the pressure washer.
Additionally, the pressure between the tank and the pressure washer can be raised by using a portable pump. The pump is attached between the tank and the pressure washer and kept on while using the pressure washer. The pump can be plugged into an electrical outlet or your vehicle’s electric battery.
While using an external tank, ensure the pressure washer has an inlet filter. This ensures that the debris stuck in the water in the tank doesn’t end up clogging your pressure washer pump or nozzle.
Can A Pressure Washer Damage Plumbing?
Most homes’ pipes can withstand water pressure up to 80 PSI; anything higher than 100–150 PSI would eventually wear out the plumbing and pipes. Pressure washers produce much higher PSI levels; therefore, a direct spray could cause damage.
Pressure washing your pipes and plumbing by directly spraying at them could cause damage to these fixtures. If these pipes are old or loosely fitted, the water pressure can damage them. Also, direct water jets wear away the valves, fixtures, connectors, and joints. It raises the likelihood of leaks at these sites.
While cleaning these pipes from grime and fungus buildup is necessary, ensure you follow the correct cleaning technique. Always spray water at an angle and not directly at these surfaces.
For more effective and safe cleaning, I recommend using a sewer jetter designed to dislodge sticky residues in plumbing. It reduces the impact pressure at these plumbing sites.
Can A Pressure Washer Cause a Pipe to Burst?
A pressure washer can cause a burst pipe if the water pressure gets too high or the pipe is already broken or compromised.
When operating a pressure washer, it’s crucial to set the water pressure according to the manufacturer’s instructions and stay within the equipment’s maximum pressure rating. High water pressure can put much stress on fittings and pipelines, leading to leaks or bursts.
Inspecting your connections and pipes before using them is crucial to ensure they can withstand the pressure and are in good shape. Check for rust, cracks, or other problems the pressure washer might aggravate.
The dimensions of the hose and nozzle can further increase the likelihood of a burst pipe. A hose or nozzle with a smaller diameter can increase the water pressure and exert stress on these pipes. Choose a hose and nozzle which are the right size for your pressure washer and the job at hand.
How Do You Pressure Wash A 2-Story House Without a Ladder?
Cleaning a big house’s exterior can be complicated. It can be risky to climb a ladder to get to high places. Luckily, pressure washers have improved the ease and safety of cleaning difficult-to-reach areas like this with the help of some accessories.
Use an Extension Wand:
A pressure washer-attachable extension wand is one solution. You can use this wand to climb the house’s top levels without a ladder. However, it would be best to choose a sturdy, high-quality extension wand that can withstand the pressure of the water.
Use a Telescoping Wand:
If some high spots are challenging to reach or stubborn, consider buying a telescoping wand with a support belt to easily and swiftly wash. Using these fiberglass or aluminum extension poles, your spray gun can be extended by 12 to 24 feet without significantly reducing pressure.
Pressure decreases as it rises without the telescoping wand. The telescoping wand holds pressure considerably longer, providing a more potent, concentrated spray for difficult-to-reach areas.
Whichever method you use, follow proper safety procedures, such as using safety gear, sticking to the pressure washer, and any accessories manufacturer’s guidelines.