Commercial Vs Home Pressure Washers - What's The Difference?

Commercial and home pressure washers differ significantly in price, power, and longevity.  There are many different models available on the market and at first glance, they appear very similar. 

It's not uncommon for people to mistakenly purchase a home unit on a deal, thinking they're getting a commercial one - which can lead to safety and warranty issues. 

This post will explain the most significant differences between commercial and home/garden models so you know what to look for when making your next purchase.

Home Pressure Washers

Home models are designed for occasional, residential use to clean vehicles, roofs, decks and patios. They typically should offer between 1,300-2000 PSI (pounds per square inch).

Pros: Affordable entry-level pricing, more compact storage

Cons: Not as durable, less powerful, and have shorter run times

Commercial Pressure Washers

Manufacturers build commercial pressure washers with more durable, hard-wearing materials to tackle higher-volume, frequent use. They remove grease, oil, and heavily soiled surfaces. Look for those offering a range of 3,200-8,000 PSI.  

Pros: More robust and versatile

Cons: Expensive, need more room to store, require experience using them as they can be too powerful and damage certain surfaces if used incorrectly.

Gas vs. Electric 

Gas pressure washers are typically available for industrial use, which makes sense as workers will not always have access to electricity on-site. Most home pressure washers are electric, as this is convenient and cleaner for one residential environment.  

Differences in pressure washer parts

The Pump

A pressure washer's pump is a vital part of the equipment as it gets the water flowing, so having one that matches your needs is critical. Pumps come in three types of material: plastic or aluminum on home/garden models, and brass on commercial models. On home/garden models, the valves are plastic; on commercial, the valves are stainless steel. The valves control the pressure and flow of the water, and like the pump, there is a plastic-type for home models and a stainless steel type for commercial ones.  Metal pumps in commercial models provide durability and safety for high-pressure and frequent use. 

The Hoses

Since the hose deals with a lot of movement (pulling, dragging, winding, kinking, accidentally being stepped on) and containing the forceful water rushing through, it makes sense that they need to last.  Commercial pressure washers have more robust, double-braided hoses, and are wire-reinforced with brass couplings, while home models use thinner vinyl or rubber for the hose, and plastic or steel couplings. Additionally, some industrial versions allow for multiple, varying length hoses so that several team members can work simultaneously.  

The Runtime

A pressure washer's runtime is perhaps the most crucial factor differentiating home models from commercial models.  A home/garden model is not built to run for extended periods; they're built to handle smaller jobs like quickly cleaning a driveway from about twenty minutes to one hour at a time. Commercial pressure washers can run for a lot longer, though, as they're meant for extensive, industrial cleaning so they can be used for up to eight straight hours.  Knowing the extent of your cleaning jobs determines your choice of pressure washer purchase.

While home power washers are powerful pieces of equipment that certainly serve their users well in the right setting (residential), they are not well suited for industrial use. If you are considering purchasing a pressure washer for your business, please consider some of the following things to ensure it meets your needs:

What's your budget?  

Residential versions are cheaper but will limit the type of projects you can complete.

Where will you be using it?  Are you cleaning in one static facility or in various locations and environments? Gas-powered industrial power washers will enable you to work anywhere.

How frequently will you be using it?

Residential power washers will limit the length of use (20-60 minutes at a time) and will not have the durability for frequent long-term use.

What type of surfaces will you be cleaning most? 

As mentioned, commercial power washers excel at breaking down greasy, heavily soiled surfaces. An inexperienced person using a commercial grade washer on home decking could damage the wood.

If you are still unsure which type of pressure washer is right for you, let us help! Give us a call at 1-855-467-9474 or request to get in touch with your local Swish representative today.