If you are buying a pressure washer, the GPM is important to consider. GPM or gallons per minute measures how much water comes out of your VEVOR pressure washer. How much water comes out of the unit determines the cleaning power of it.
Therefore, you need to know exactly what GPM is, what it means, and more. We are here today to provide you with all the information you need to decide on a pressure washer in terms of GPM. So, what GPM pressure washer do you need? We’ll take a closer look at all of the factors you need to consider, and more.
Table of contents
What is GPM?
GPM stands for gallons per minute. This is a measure of how much water comes out of a pressure washer. In other words, it’s a measure of the rate of water flow. It’s an indication of how much water comes out of the pressure washer every minute it is in operation. You need to understand GPM to understand how effective a pressure washer will be.
If you’re interested in knowing the calculation, we can provide you with that information too. Simply divide the total water volume in gallons by the number of minutes it took to use that amount of water. For instance, if a pressure washer uses 10 gallons in 4 minutes, the GPM would be 2.5. As you can see, making the calculation is quite easy.
GPM is important to know, and it’s just as important as PSI. Remember, GPM is how much water is being used per minute. On the other hand, PSI, or pounds per square inch, measures the force of that water flow. So, the heavier the cleaning job, the more GPM you’ll need. GPM is important because it determines how much water is used to flush away the debris.
Why Does GPM Matter for Pressure Washers?
GPM is important to consider for a number of reasons. More than anything else, the GPM of the pressure washer determines how effective it will be at any cleaning job. How much GPM a pressure washer has influenced its water consumption, speed of cleaning, and more. The following are all reasons why GPM matters.
- GPM matters because it determines the speed and efficiency of cleaning. The more GPM pressure the washer has, the faster it can work. This means it has more water flow to wash away grime and debris. If you have a big driveway, having a higher GPM is recommended.
- Surface coverage is another consideration when choosing a pressure washer in terms of GPM. The more GPM pressure a washer has, the more area it can cover in a limited amount of time. For big surfaces like exterior siding and driveways, more water volume is beneficial.
- You also want to consider the GPM in terms of the pressure washer attachments you use. For instance, Rotary nozzles and surface cleaners work better with higher GPM ratings. There are also some attachments that need a minimum GPM to function properly.
- Also consider water consumption. Yes, a higher GPM means that you’re using more water in a shorter amount of time. However, it also allows you to clean quickly. Overall, this might lead to some water and monetary savings.
- The bottom line is that the more GPM a unit has, the more versatile it is. This is especially the case if you have a pressure washer that features an adjustable GPM setting.
How to Choose the Right GPM Pressure Washer for Your Needs
There are a few great ways for you to narrow down the selection in terms of the pressure washer you want. This is how to choose the right GPM pressure washer.
Cleaning Needs
You first need to consider what your overall cleaning needs are. How much GPM your pressure washer needs to have depends on what you are cleaning. First, we have light-duty cleaning jobs. This could be anywhere between 1.0 and 2.0 GPM. For instance, if you want to clean outdoor vehicles, furniture, and even small decks and patios, up to 1.4 GPM should be more than enough. It’s enough to get these items clean without wasting water.
We then have medium-duty cleaning jobs. This could involve a GPM of anywhere between 2.0 and 3.0. If you have a large deck or patio, up to 2.5 GPM is best. However, for something like siding, you might want to go up to 3.0 GPM. That’s more than enough water flow to clean the siding without causing damage. This type of washer is also ideal for lightweight concrete cleaning.
Finally, we have heavy-duty cleaning jobs. Here, you’ll need anywhere over 3.0 GPM. If you’re doing commercial cleaning or have a large driveway, GPM of up to 4.0 is suitable. For removing graffiti and stains, and industrial cleaning, the higher the GPM the better.
The Balance of GPM and PSI
When choosing a pressure washer, always consider the balance between GPM and PSI. More PSI means that the flow has more power. More PSI is better for breaking up hard stains and dirt. However, more GPM means that there is more water to wash the debris away.
The best is if you can get a pressure washer that has both a high GPM and PSI rating. This means that the pressure washer in question is ideal for even the heaviest of jobs.
Portability
Pressure washers with high GPM ratings tend to be fairly large and heavy. They require stronger motors and bigger pumps. This means that they’re generally a bit less portable. However, portability and efficiency are two trade-offs that you’ll need to consider.
Accessories
The other thing to consider here is what kinds of attachments and accessories the pressure washer in question comes with. Make sure that the accessories you want to use are suitable for the amount of GPM the United question can produce.
Safety Tips for Using a Pressure Washer
Before you start using a pressure washer, it’s important to know all of the biggest safety tips. Follow the safety tips listed below.
- Always read the user manual first. These contain important information that you might need to know about using your unit.
- Wear good footwear to prevent yourself from falling.
- Wear long sleeves to protect your skin. You should also wear gloves as well as safety goggles to protect your eyes.
- Make sure to always inspect the equipment before use. Check the nozzles, connections, and hoses for blockages, cracks, and leaks. Make sure everything is in order before use.
- Always use the right nozzle for the job at hand. If you use a nozzle that has its spray that is too narrow, you might cause damage to a surface.
- Always mind your surroundings and never point a pressure washer at any kind of fragile object, person, or pet.
- Electricity and water never mix. Therefore, keep any connections and power cords away from water. You don’t want any electrical shocks occurring.
Pressure Washer GPM FAQ
With all of the basics covered, we can now answer some of your most frequently asked questions about GPM and pressure washers.
What is GPM for pressure washers?
GPM stands for gallons per minute. This measures how much water flows through a pressure washer. It measures how much water is used in a single minute in gallons.
What is the best GPM for a pressure washer?
For light-duty work, up to 2.0 GPM is recommended. For medium-duty work, up to 3.0 GPM is recommended. For anything heavier duty in nature, 3.0 GPM and above is needed.
How much GPM for cleaning my car?
If you are cleaning your car, a GPM of between 1.2 and 1.4 is best. This will provide you with enough water flow to remove grime and dirt from your car. However, it’s also light enough to avoid damage from occurring or using too much water.
How much GPM for cleaning my driveway?
Depending on how dirty your driveway is, anywhere between 2.5 and 4.0 is ideal. You want enough water flow to get those tough stains off without damaging the concrete below.
How much GPM for cleaning my siding?
For the siding on your home, a gallon-per-minute rating of anywhere between 2.0 and 2.5 is ideal. It’s light enough to prevent damage to the siding. It’s also strong enough to remove mildew and dirt.
How much GPM for cleaning my deck?
For a composite or wooden deck, don’t use GPM over 2.5. Start with a GPM of 2.0. This should be able to clean wood or composite without causing damage.
How much GPM for cleaning my wooden patio?
If you have a nice wooden patio, start with a GPM of 1.5. This should be enough to get the wood clean without causing damage to the surface. However, if you have high-quality and treated wood, you may go up to 2.5 GPM.
How to choose the right GPM for my needs?
There are several factors when choosing a pressure washer ideal for your needs in relation to GPM. Know what surfaces you plan to clean. Also, know how dirty those surfaces are. You might also want to consider the size of those surfaces. Remember that you also need to balance PSI with GPM. The best is if you get a model where you can adjust the GPM.
What is the Minimum GPM for a Pressure Washer?
At the very least, a pressure washer should have a GPM of 1.0. If you are doing heavy duty cleaning, however, upwards of 4.0 is recommended.
Does GPM affect how long it takes to clean?
Because more water is being used with higher GPM, it also reduces cleaning time.
Final Thoughts on the Best GPM Pressure Washer for Your Needs
At the end of the day, having the right GPM pressure washer is important. If you don’t have enough GPM, you can’t wash away that debris quickly enough. On the other hand, too much GPM is not ideal either. If your pressure washer has too much GPM, you’ll end up wasting water. It’s all about finding the right GPM for the cleaning job at hand. Moreover, remember that you also need to balance GPM with PSI. When all is said and done, if you’re looking for a good pressure washer, VEVOR has got you covered.
