Lifting off the tar, stains, mud, loose paint, grime, and even chewing gum on surfaces is a laborious and time-consuming job. It is particularly true if you are dealing with concrete surfaces, which often requires a heavy-duty cleaning method.
Fortunately, pressure washing was discovered.
Pressure washing, also known as power washing, is a cleaning process that utilizes high-pressure water spray. Generally, it is a much more convenient way to remove dirt from surfaces and objects such as concrete, buildings, and vehicles.
Having said that, are you planning on using the said method to clean your driveway for the first time? If yes, then you must learn the appropriate equipment to use!
In this article, we are going to tackle the right size of the water tank to use for pressure washing, why size matters, and how to clean concrete using power washing.
Let’s start.
Pressure Washer Water Tanks and Its Importance
A pressure washer water tank is a portable type of tank that is specifically used for power washing. It is made of polyethene material and comes in various types and sizes (small, medium, and large). And while it is significantly similar to pressure tanks, do note that they are different in usage, as well as function.
That being said, pressure washer tanks—or simply water tanks—serve an important role in pressure washing.
In essence, these water tanks give adequate force to pump water off the pressure washer. And in return, it makes the cleaning process easier and enhances the water pressure functionality.
But not only that.
Water tanks help you conserve water as well by simply making the overall process efficient. Pressure washers are known for lesser consumption. Generally, it consumes up to eight gallons of water per minute only. Unlike when you use a regular garden hose which can consume up to 20 gallons of water per minute.
That said, if you add a water tank to a pressure washer, it could significantly lower the amount of water you will consume since dirt, grimes, stains, and even mold, would be lifted off immediately thanks to the water tanks’ added force as the water is being drawn down.
Apart from that, running a pressure washer without water running through its system may impair the pump. But connecting a water tank avoids damaging some parts—such as the seal and gasket—of the pressure washer as it provides running water constantly.
The Standard Size
In pressure washing, the size of the water tank accordingly affects the volume of water that is about to be released. And by standard rules, these are the typical sizes:
- 0-10 GPM: One gallon of drawdown for every 1 GPM of flow
- 10-20 GPM: One and a half-gallon of drawdown for every 1 GPM of flow
- 20+ GPM: Two gallons of drawdown for every 1 GPM of flow
To further understand, drawdown is a term used for when the water tank pumps and releases water through pent-up pressure.
Thus, to answer how big of a water tank you need depends on the area you are about to clean. If you are planning to clean a large area with a lot of dirt and stain, for instance, it is best to get a water tank set for 10-20 GPM. Otherwise, then a water tank set for 0-10 GPM will suffice.
How Size Influences Pressure?
As mentioned, the size of the water tank accordingly influences the drawdown or the operating pressure. Thus, the higher the operating pressure is, the bigger the water tank must be.
Keep in mind that these two—the pressure washer and the tank—things are correlated and must be adjusted accordingly when one of them changes. Hence, if one increases or decreases, then the other must too.
Overall, if the pressure is high, then the drawdown is low. In that case, you will need a water tank with a large room.Â
How to Use Pressure Tanks for Power Washing
Now that you have an idea how big of a water tank you need for pressure washing, let’s talk about how to use the two.
Step 1: Prepare all equipment. First thing first: prepare all the equipment and materials you will need. Once you have gathered everything, check the manual that comes with the washer pressure and the water tank. You can use the manual as a guideline to properly set the two pieces of equipment. Read it first before installing the water tank and washer pressure.
Step 2: Set the water tank up. After that, attach a threader to the water tank’s bajo fitting. Make sure to firmly fasten the inline to the Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) using Teflon tape.
The barb connector and the ball valve must be attached as well. You can use tools such as pliers to tighten it. But to avoid damage, it is best to use your hands.
Step 3: Attach the hose to the water tank. Next, attach the garden hose to the tank through the barb connector. To avoid water leakage, make sure that they are tightly fastened by clamping the barb connector.
Step 4: Connect the hose to the pressure washer. Once done, it is time to connect the hose to the pressure washer’s feed line. But before you attach it, make sure that the washer’s inlet filter is clear of dirt and debris to avoid water obstruction.
Aside from that, make sure that the two are fastened tightly to avoid air from entering. Avoid using pliers as well as to prevent damage to the hose and valve.
Step 5: Start cleaning. Finally, once everything is set up, you can now start the pressure washer and start cleaning. Start by expelling the air from the washer’s pump system by pressing the spray wand trigger. Then that’s it. You are done!
Do not forget that to efficiently do the cleaning process, it is best to use the right nozzle depending on the type of cleaning. Here’s a quick guide:
- General cleaning: flushing nozzle.
- Wide cleaning: detergent spray nozzle.
- Deep-stain cleaning: blasting nozzle.
