can anyone recommend a pressure washer

[Austin]

I think I need a domestic spec jetwash/pressure washer for cars, bikes, bicycles, patio and drive, and other stuff. I have been googling it but haven't found any sensible recommendations or guides.

What do ya reckon?

[SyRexx]

go to B&Q

they have a decent range of pressure washers so go take your pick lol

[slanty]

I got a small Karsher one from Argos and it's perfect for washing the bike, car etc. It's small, works well and has a detergent bottle fitting and a few different heads (brush, spray etc).

I think it cost about £50 quid but I think it was worth it.

[AlanH]

I bought a fairly powerful Kärcher pressure washer (140 bar I think) about 8 years ago. It wasn't a cheapo entry level one and it has been used regularly with no problems. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending them as a manufacturer.

[Snaphappy]

I had a similar dilemma last year. I finally bought a Karcher, to cut costs most manufacturers use plastic pistons - they work great for about as long as the guarantee is valid, dont be tempted with cheap, karcher do budget systems that are good for normal domestic use, as far as can remember the ones rated M have metal pumps and are stronger.

[barftone]

Had a cheapy Karcher one for about 10 years now and never let me down (used regularly in hard water area)

[RickSkye]

I bought a small pressure washer thatcould only be stopped by a switch on the body, get one that stops automatically when you release the the spray trigger.

Rick

[Mr NiceGuy]

I bought one of these last year. Plenty of power, long hose, dual detergent tanks (no mixing required, dial to alter concentration and switch between different fluids) self contained so no hoses or cables tripping you up in the garage. Karcher means that you can pick parts everywhere.

[Austin]

Thanks all, I finally found some helpful web sites. I figured out the metal vs plastic pump thing and also that the max pressure the thing creates isn't that important alone, the other factors are the sustainable pressure combined with the flow of water - litres/hour.

Karcher's look to be the leading brand so a trip B&Q, machine mart etc beckons, but I did read some worrying reviews about very short service lifes of some of the cheaper models.

General advice seems to be get the best you can affford but stretch yourself a little more and get the next model up.

cheers