Pressure Washers
Pressure washer kit shifts ground-in muck fast, from patios and paths to vans and plant, without hours on a brush and hose.
When you turn up to a job and everything's caked in mud, algae, or site dust, a decent jet wash is what gets you back to clean, safe surfaces quickly. From a small pressure washer for the car and patio, to heavy duty pressure washers for plant and hardstanding, pick the right flow and pressure for the work and you'll spend less time scrubbing and more time cracking on.
What Are Pressure Washers Used For?
- Blasting mud, cement splashes, and general site grime off slabwork, blockwork edges, and pathways so the place is safe to walk and ready for handover.
- Cleaning vans, pickups, and toolboxes at the yard when you need a jet wash that actually lifts road film and salt, not just moves the dirt around.
- Shifting algae and moss off patios, steps, and decking before treatment or sealing, so you are not trapping slippery growth under a finish.
- Washing down plant, wheelbarrows, and mixers at the end of the week so moving parts are not packed with grit and you are not dragging mess back into the van.
- Rinsing down fencing, brickwork, and exterior surfaces on refurbs, using the right lance and distance so you clean effectively without scarring the face.
Choosing the Right Pressure Washer
Sorting the right one is simple: match the pressure washer to the dirt and the access, not the other way round.
1. Pressure and flow (cleaning speed)
If you are just doing cars, bikes, and a small patio, a small pressure washer is plenty. If you are cleaning big areas or thick mud on plant, look for higher flow as well as pressure, because flow is what carries the muck away instead of redepositing it.
2. Electric vs petrol
If you have reliable power on site or at home, an electric power washer is quieter, simpler, and easier to maintain. If you are working away from sockets or need all-day runtime on rough jobs, petrol pressure washers make sense, but they need proper storage, fuel, and routine servicing.
3. Portability and hose reach
If you are constantly moving around a property, a portable power washer with decent hose length saves you dragging the unit every five minutes. For van work, check it stows neatly and the hose and lance do not kink or split when thrown in and out daily.
4. Nozzles and detergents (finish and control)
If you are cleaning delicate surfaces like painted timber or older pointing, you need the right fan nozzle and a bit of distance, not maximum pressure. For oily driveways and heavy grime, a detergent setup and the correct nozzle will get a better result than just winding the pressure up.
Who Uses Pressure Washers?
- Groundworkers and landscapers who need a powerful jet wash for patios, drives, kerbs, and kit after a muddy week.
- Builders and handover teams doing final clean-downs, because a pressure washer gets hardstanding and access routes presentable fast.
- Maintenance and facilities teams keeping yards, bin stores, and loading bays safe, especially where algae and spills make floors slick.
- Van-based trades who want a portable power washer for quick vehicle and tool clean-ups without dragging a hose through the house.
The Basics: Understanding Pressure Washers
A jet washer is just water under controlled pressure, but the numbers and nozzles decide whether it cleans properly or just makes a mess. Here is what matters on real jobs.
1. Pressure (bar or PSI) versus flow (litres per hour)
Pressure helps break the bond of dirt, but flow is what rinses it away. For big areas like drives and patios, decent flow makes the job quicker and stops you reworking the same patch.
2. Nozzle pattern and stand-off distance
A narrow jet hits hard for stubborn muck, but it can mark soft materials if you get too close. A wider fan is safer for general washing, and stepping back a bit usually cleans better than trying to cut the dirt off at point-blank range.
3. Cold water versus detergent
Cold water shifts most site dirt, but oils and traffic film often need detergent to break them down first. Let the chemical do the work, then rinse properly, instead of hammering the surface with pressure.
Pressure Washer Accessories That Save Time on Every Clean
The right add-ons make a jet wash quicker, safer on surfaces, and less hassle to set up and pack away.
1. Patio cleaner head
This stops you zebra-striping patios and drives and cuts the spray-back that soaks your boots and trousers. It is the difference between a tidy, even finish and a job that looks rushed.
2. Turbo nozzle and fan nozzles
A turbo nozzle is for stubborn, ground-in dirt on hard surfaces, while fan nozzles are what you want for general washing without scarring. Swap the nozzle to suit the surface instead of just cranking the pressure up.
3. Longer high-pressure hose
A longer hose lets you work around a van, patio, or scaffold base without dragging the machine over gravel and steps, which is usually what kills fittings and causes leaks.
4. Detergent bottle or foam lance
For traffic film, oily spots, and general grime, pre-soaking with detergent saves time and reduces how aggressive you need to be with the lance, which is better for paintwork and softer finishes.
Shop Pressure Washers at ITS
Whether you need a compact jet wash for home clean-ups or a heavy duty pressure washer for site and yard work, we stock the full range of pressure washers, lances, hoses, and accessories in one place. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery so you can get the water pressure machine you need on site without waiting around.
Pressure Washer FAQs
What is a good size pressure washer for home use?
For typical home jobs like cars, bins, a small patio, and paths, a small pressure washer with sensible pressure and decent flow is the sweet spot because it is easy to store and quick to set up. If you are regularly doing large drives or heavy algae, step up a size so you are not spending all day going over the same area.
Will a pressure washer remove paint?
Yes, it can, especially if the paint is already loose or you use a tight jet too close. If you are trying to strip paint, test a small patch first and work methodically. If you are trying to avoid damage, use a wider fan nozzle, keep your distance, and do not linger on edges and joints.
Is a jet wash the same as a pressure washer?
In day-to-day trade talk, yes. Jet wash, jet washer, powerwasher, and pressure washer all mean the same type of machine, but the performance varies a lot between models, so always check the pressure and flow rather than just the name.
Electric or petrol pressure washers, which pressure washer should I buy?
If you have power on site and want low fuss, go electric because it is quieter and simpler to live with. If you are working where there is no reliable supply or you need to clean all day without worrying about leads and sockets, petrol pressure washers are the practical choice, but they need more upkeep and proper handling.
Will a powerful jet wash damage paving or pointing?
It can if you hit it too close with a narrow jet, especially on softer stone, weak mortar, or older pointing. Start with a wider fan, keep a bit of stand-off distance, and only step up the aggression where the surface can take it.
