Pressure Washers
Discussion
Nilfisk here too. Hadn't used ours since we lived in France and it came back with us in 2019 so I guess hadn't been used since some time in 2017. Got it out last week to see if it still worked and it fired right up, no problems at all and got all the paving at the back of the house cleaned up. Now waiting for a few good days and will do the front, that's a bit more difficult as the outside tap is at the rear so the hose will have top go through the house and out the front door (terraced so no side access). After using I always made sure there was no water left in the washer.
I've had Karcher for many years. It's one with a metal cylinder head. It lost pressure once but was easily fixed by cleaning and regreasing. Parts are available to repair if people can be bothered. Cracks in the pump would probably not be economically repairable though.
Changing the hose to a more flexible one on a reel is a good idea.
Changing the hose to a more flexible one on a reel is a good idea.
We went down the Bosch route, with the Universal AquaTek 135. Suspect it's a Karcher with some green paint on it and we've only had it a season now, but it's been pretty good considering our dodgy water flow/pressure.
https://www.bosch-diy.com/gb/en/p/universalaquatak...
We also got the patio cleaning attachment which I'm told works well - if you have water pressure....
https://www.bosch-diy.com/gb/en/p/universalaquatak...
We also got the patio cleaning attachment which I'm told works well - if you have water pressure....
I wonder if Karcher have got worse over the years, if quality has dropped?
My Karcher is over 25 years old, I bought it when we bought our first place and its done sterling service ever since. Its had to have a new hose a few years ago and around the same time I had to change a couple of seals in the pump as it developed a small leak. The parts were pence and it was a simple thing to strip and repair. Everything inside appeared to be cast alu, with very little plastics.
I wonder if at some point they've had to reduce quality to focus on price point. I use mine probably every couple of weeks from spring through late autumn and can honestly see it outlasting me, even if I have to keep it serviced.
My Karcher is over 25 years old, I bought it when we bought our first place and its done sterling service ever since. Its had to have a new hose a few years ago and around the same time I had to change a couple of seals in the pump as it developed a small leak. The parts were pence and it was a simple thing to strip and repair. Everything inside appeared to be cast alu, with very little plastics.
I wonder if at some point they've had to reduce quality to focus on price point. I use mine probably every couple of weeks from spring through late autumn and can honestly see it outlasting me, even if I have to keep it serviced.
Rustybanger said:
blueg33 said:
Rustybanger said:
Make sure you don't use an aquastop type connector, they can damage the pressure washer as they block any backflow.
Hmm. Been using one with my Nilfisk for 15 years. Surely when it’s connected it’s open, how would it block back flow?
2 split inlets on my nilfisk using one. No issues without
sandman77 said:
I think a lot of the Karcher problems reported are related to the budget models which are generally under £100 (the K2 or K3). I have had a K4 for about 15 years and it has been perfect. Kept in a cold garden shed all that time.
Yeah, I have had a cheap Nifisk break too. What do you expect for under £100!One thing which can help life extend them is not to keep bliping the trigger all the time, hold it down and do the job, the start-stop pressure spike is the main thing that kills the cheaper ones.
That and frost damage!
Just worked it out - my Nilfisk is 15 years old. It was £99 from Amazon, is used every week, lives in an unheated shed and has always been reliable.
The only complaints I have is that the hose could be more flexible and the quick release has jammed where the hose connects to the lance.
The only complaints I have is that the hose could be more flexible and the quick release has jammed where the hose connects to the lance.
blueg33 said:
Rustybanger said:
Make sure you don't use an aquastop type connector, they can damage the pressure washer as they block any backflow.
Hmm. Been using one with my Nilfisk for 15 years. Surely when it’s connected it’s open, how would it block back flow?
As long as mine is over 10lpm flow it’s always been happy on all sorts of connections (Kranzle 1152 tst)
I had a smaller Karcher for years, K2 IIRC. Kept in the shed, and the -15deg frost did for it last winter. After replacing pretty much every o-ring I noticed that the plastic casing itself was actually cracked = binned.
I'm look at the Norwegian AVAs just now as an alternative. I take my time over these things
I'm look at the Norwegian AVAs just now as an alternative. I take my time over these things
dhutch said:
Rustybanger said:
blueg33 said:
Rustybanger said:
Make sure you don't use an aquastop type connector, they can damage the pressure washer as they block any backflow.
Hmm. Been using one with my Nilfisk for 15 years. Surely when it’s connected it’s open, how would it block back flow?
2 split inlets on my nilfisk using one. No issues without
I have basic Nilfisk, think Karcher are a bit like Dyson in that they are the go to brand but arent actually as good as their reputation.
Also have a petrol one to do our rather stained patio, paid £75 for it but it leaked from every orifice and needed a bit of work, new o rings, service the engine and pump, unblocked the lance and cleaned the carb out now it runs perfectly and is way more powerful, good not having leads trailing round as well.
Also have a petrol one to do our rather stained patio, paid £75 for it but it leaked from every orifice and needed a bit of work, new o rings, service the engine and pump, unblocked the lance and cleaned the carb out now it runs perfectly and is way more powerful, good not having leads trailing round as well.
I’m needing to get a new pressure washer, something to clean the cars, driveway/yard etc and occasionally the drains.
I have always liked the idea of hot water pressure washer but they are big and expensive, machine mart have got an offer on at the minute with a hot Harry going for £600 inc vat. It’s not a true hot water pressure washer because it heats to around 70c rather than 130c+ like an industrial version.
The other option is a Nilfisk 200 premium, around the same money but more pressure (200bar vs 145bar). Does the addition of heat make up for the lack of ultimate pressure?
I’m wanting something decent that will last, my dad’s karcher k4 is on its 3rd rebuild so I don’t fancy one of them.
I’m open to other suggestions, I know kranzle seem decent but it looks more like it’s for car detailers rather than general use and I don’t know how good they are for driveway cleaning.
Petrol is an option too but it would have to have a half decent engine on it, I got fed up with the poorly made motor on my garden multi tool so I don’t want hassle every time I go to use it.
Thank you!
I have always liked the idea of hot water pressure washer but they are big and expensive, machine mart have got an offer on at the minute with a hot Harry going for £600 inc vat. It’s not a true hot water pressure washer because it heats to around 70c rather than 130c+ like an industrial version.
The other option is a Nilfisk 200 premium, around the same money but more pressure (200bar vs 145bar). Does the addition of heat make up for the lack of ultimate pressure?
I’m wanting something decent that will last, my dad’s karcher k4 is on its 3rd rebuild so I don’t fancy one of them.
I’m open to other suggestions, I know kranzle seem decent but it looks more like it’s for car detailers rather than general use and I don’t know how good they are for driveway cleaning.
Petrol is an option too but it would have to have a half decent engine on it, I got fed up with the poorly made motor on my garden multi tool so I don’t want hassle every time I go to use it.
Thank you!
I went with Ava. (P57)
Watched loads of reviews and for the money they seemed to provide a good product that would cost more from the big brands.
Their warranty is good too, so long as you service it (DIY) every how ever long they say.
Overall I have been impressed with it - way better than my old Karcher.
Watched loads of reviews and for the money they seemed to provide a good product that would cost more from the big brands.
Their warranty is good too, so long as you service it (DIY) every how ever long they say.
Overall I have been impressed with it - way better than my old Karcher.
I have a nilfisk 135, the cheapest one with the metal pump. It died last weekend after just 3 years so has been replaced with a cheap one from eurocarparts.
https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/top-tech-1800w-pres...
As long as it lasts me a year it’s good value. I will attempt a fix on the nilfisk, but if it’s not simple I’ve given up on anything other than throwaway.
https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/top-tech-1800w-pres...
As long as it lasts me a year it’s good value. I will attempt a fix on the nilfisk, but if it’s not simple I’ve given up on anything other than throwaway.
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