Mac allister Jet Nozzle for High Pressure Washer 13 mm

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Motor noise is typically less intrusive with these machines but they can be a little overpowered for many domestic cleaning jobs. Make sure you know how to use them properly to avoid damaging your surfaces. The first thing you need to consider when investing in a pressure washer is which area or outdoor items you’re looking to clean. This will determine how much pressure – measured in bars – you need your washer to have.

Best for: Cleaning small areas of lightly soiled paving, bicycles, small cars and garden furniture. Fewer owners of Karcher pressure washers experienced faults within the first seven years of owning it - 8% said they had (sample size: 2,271) versus 16% of Nilfisk owners (sample size: 185). And if you don’t have access to a tap, it’s important to note that there’s no option to draw rainwater from a water butt. There is, however, a built-in detergent tank – not something you find with every affordable pressure washer. Mac Allister 1,800W review: Cleaning performance

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This all depends on how much you can afford and how powerful and durable you want your pressure washer to be. Best for: Cleaning extensive areas of paving, grimy 4-wheel drive vehicles, commercial vehicles and caravans Additional handles: some machines have a variety of handles that will make carrying it around while cleaning much easier. Karcher were the first to introduce smart technology to pressure washers so you can connect them to your smartphone via an app.

Our in-house experts at the GHI assessed the pressure washers' performance on common outdoor cleaning tasks, using their high-power jet sprays to take on muddy patios, windows and cars. The testers noted how easy the pressure washer was to set up, use, manoeuvre and, of course, the time it took to get the job done. Toolstation has electric and petrol pressure washers, some of which are bundled with a patio cleaner. Buying a new pressure washer can be confusing. There are usually several models in each manufacturer's range, with different types of motors and impenetrable model numbers which mean that useful accessories are either included in the price, or have to be bought as an extra.In the end, I abandoned the brushes in favour of the vario nozzle, twisting it to the high-powered pencil jet spray (it also offers a wider, gentler spray). The impact was immediate, and within moments all the ingrained mud, oil and bird poo was nowhere to be seen. Nilfisk pressure washers tend to be quieter than Karcher models as they're designed with a noise-reduction system.

It undoubtedly has its faults – that broken adapter left me tearing my hair out and I doubt I’ll ever use the brushes out again – but if you’re looking for a pressure washer on a strict budget, it’s not a bad option. Medium duty pressure washers tend to be a mix of high-end own-brand models and cheaper premium-brand models. As such, you'll find a confusing array of high-powered-but-basic models by garden machinery brands such as Stihl or Nilfisk, mid-powered Karcher, Bosch or Vax models with some choice of accessories, and high-powered and highly accessorised machines from Qualcast and Mac Allister. That’s where power washers come in. These efficient machines make light work of a deep clean, whether you’re sprucing up your patio and grill for BBQ season, giving your bike a much-needed wash after your latest cycling adventure, or giving your car a shiny new facelift. Karcher has a higher customer score of 78% (sample size: 2,271) versus Nilfisk's 74% (sample size: 185). This reflects how satisfied respondents are with the brand and how likely they would be to recommend it.The most powerful models cost hundreds of pounds so to avoid your pressure washer breaking, take a look at how to avoid issues, such as leaking and pump failure.

Basic machines come with one lance – a long tube with a nozzle at the end. A fixed lance can’t be adjusted, though you can move it nearer or further away from the area you’re trying to clean. You can also buy models with a variable pressure lance, where you can twist the nozzle at the end to alter the power of the spray – rather like a hosepipe attachment. This lets you create either a powerful narrow jet of water or a gentler, broad spray. Having recently cleaned my patio while testing the Kärcher K4 Full Control, I decided to put the Mac Allister through its paces by cleaning my car, my wheelie bin and my conservatory roof. The shorter hose and low power can make cleaning slow and difficult, and the motors tend to be noisy. The parts also tend to be flimsy and prone to frost damage. Medium duty If you’ve ever tried to take on a muddy patio with just a brush and some elbow grease, you’ll know that some garden jobs just need a little extra investment. For the money, the Mac Allister 1,800W is undeniably a powerful machine. Having also tried out the more-expensive Kärcher K4 Full Control, I’d say the two machines blast away dirt with similar gusto.Pressure washer pump fails - Store the pressure washer in a frost-free place, such as a cupboard in the house, and make sure that the water is turned on and at adequate pressure before running the pump. Takes steps to remedy a pulsing pressure washer. My other main gripe with this Mac Allister pressure washer is that the adapter that connects the water hose to the machine shattered the first time I turned on the tap. It’s possible I hadn’t connected it properly, but you’d still hope it would be more robust than that. Pressure gauge: some more expensive models have a pressure gauge on the lance handle but, as the pump pressure doesn't vary, they're of little practical use. Unlike your standard garden hose, pressure washers deliver serious power. They use a strong, concentrated jet of water to obliterate dirt in no time.