Actually, selecting the proper pressure washer nozzle is crucial for your pressure washer. The water stream that hits your cleaning surface has pressure because of the nozzle. Physics explains why nozzles function. restricting the water flow from a source of constant pressure increases the speed, which increases the pressure in the spray. This article will inform you all about the pressure washer nozzle.
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The Importance Of Pressure Washer Nozzles
Imagine holding a garden hose with water flowing out of the tip in your front yard. Perhaps you want to reach the plants 15 feet away while watering the garden.
The stream from the hose is weak and only extends about 5 feet, which is a problem. So what do you do? You block off 3/4 of the opening with your thumb. The smaller orifice must now be the only place where the water can leave.
What accomplishes the water? As a result of Mr. According to Isaac Newton’s laws of motion, a greater velocity results in a greater distance. The water has now traveled 15 feet to those plants.
This is essentially how a pressure washer nozzle operates. Increase the velocity while restricting the flow. And it is this increase that gives the pressure washer’s water spray its cleaning power and force.
The Main Types of Pressure Washer Nozzles
For various tasks, you must use various pressure washer nozzles, just as you would when sanding down the wood. Here are the types of nozzles to choose from:
Every power washer has three to four color-coded nozzle tips out of the box.
- A direct jet of water is launched onto the surface by 0 degrees. An area the size of a quarter coin is struck by the jet when it collides with the surface. It does not sheet or fans out the water spray at all
- The 15-degree produces a water spray that is 15 degrees wide at the nozzle. Once the spray hits the surface the pressure is less because its force is spread over a larger area
- The 25-degree is an even larger sheet or fan of water than the 15-degree nozzle thus causing even less pressure on the surface
- The mildest spray is the 40-degree. A 40-degree nozzle held at the proper distance could be used to clean delicate surfaces such as windows.
It should be noted that pulling back from a surface with a specific amount of nozzle lowers the pressure on it even more. As a general rule, when distance doubles, so do force.
Most Common Pressure Washer Tips
0° Red Nozzle Tip – Maximum Blast
Going back to pressure washer nozzles, choosing the best one for the task is all about obtaining the desired pressure. With the 0° nozzle, let’s begin. You experience the highest possible pressure from it. You can tell that a pressure washer’s maximum PSI rating was attained by using its 0° spray tip when you see that rating listed.
Use a Red 0° nozzle only to access high places like soffits where the added pressure makes access easier. The toughest stains and debris from metal and concrete can also be effectively removed with its assistance. But if you get it too close, you could almost carve your initials in your driveway!
This pressure washer tip should also not be used on painted surfaces, siding, or wood because it can easily remove coatings and damage softer materials. It should go without saying that you should wear closed-toed shoes when using a pressure washer. You should also take special care to ensure that the 0° tip never touches you or anyone else.
15° Yellow Nozzle Tip – Medium Stripping
On PVC fences, the Yellow 15° pressure washer nozzle works incredibly well for removing tough stains like mold and mildew. It also gives you a very strong spray, so don’t “linger” in one area for too long. If you’re not careful, that 15° tip may begin to remove aggregate and paint from concrete.
Make sure to keep the wand far enough away from the siding when applying it to ensure a sufficient spread across the vinyl. Except when preparing wood siding for painting, we do not advise using this nozzle on painted wood siding.
25° Green Nozzle Tip – Gentle Lifting and Cleaning
When cleaning siding, decks, sidewalks, or driveways, use the Green 25° nozzle to do so safely. It also does a good job of cleaning off-road vehicles’ wheels of tough mud or dirt. To prevent damaging the paint, just maintain a safe distance away. If you’re not sure where to start, this is a great all-purpose nozzle.
40° White Nozzle Tip – Minimum Spraying
The pressure washer nozzle with the widest spray pattern is the White 40° nozzle. Use this advice when washing windows, hosing down the car, or anywhere else you need to rinse something off. This nozzle enables you to spray more widely and with less force on delicate surfaces so as to prevent damage.
~65° Black Tip – Soap Nozzle
The soaping tip nozzle is special because it not only has the widest degree (~65°) but also a larger orifice. To reduce velocity while increasing pressure in the hose, a larger orifice is required. Soap can be applied to the surface to make cleaning easier thanks to the increase in pressure that pulls detergent into the line.
Watch the dirt fly off by using a nozzle with a lower degree to spray before cleaning.
Special Use Nozzles
Turbo/Rotary Nozzle
- One of the most useful pressure washer nozzles is due to their ability to combine the force of a 0-degree nozzle with the spray area of a 25-degree nozzle while also adding a pulsing action by rotating the water jet at 1800–3000 rpm.
- When the rotating nozzle hits the surface it creates a round cone shape (it rotates the jet so quickly it appears as a cone-like an orange safety cone coming from the nozzle tip)
Adjustable/Variable Nozzle
- Ability to quickly change over 6 patterns – 0-degree, 15-degree, 25-degree, 40-degree, built in settings for soap and rinsing
- Save time on common cleaning work like household grime and mildew from decks, concrete, and siding
Foam Cannon
- Traditionally used for washing cars, boats, windows, siding, and more
- Typically has stainless steel, plastic, and brass components
- Adjustable spray nozzle to control foam output
- For a detailed explanation, see our guide to foam cannons
Tips On Pick The Perfect Nozzle For Your Cleaning Job
Here are 4 steps to follow before you begin pressure washing ANY surface:
- Use common sense when selecting a nozzle
- Start with a wider-angle nozzle
- Keep a safe distance at first. Start long-range and slowly move closer
- A small patch of the surface should always be tested.
Pressure cleaning is incredibly simple to use, even if it’s your first time. Keep your distance because you obviously don’t want to damage the surface. Move a little closer as you grow more at ease, being careful not to scratch the surface.
The easiest way to change the effective pressure is to move the spray closer to the surface if the surface is difficult to move. If it still doesn’t work, switch to a stronger nozzle, and when you start cleaning again, make sure to start four feet from the surface and move closer as explained above.
Pressure Washer Nozzle Care
Prior to each use, use a pin to clean the pressure washer nozzle.
Changing the nozzles on the spray gun wand is easy:
- Lift the retainer upward to release the old nozzle is still in place
- Lift the retainer, insert the new nozzle, and then let go of the retainer to secure it. This is how you install a new nozzle.
- Verify the new nozzle is operating properly after installation.
Do you grasp types of pressure washer nozzle and how to choose them and care for them?
