Fax: 01444 414813
Email: info@airstream.co.uk
by Peter Brett - April 2009
Industrial Strength Pressure Washing
Using a pressure washer is the kind of activity that brings a satisfied smile to most DIYers&Mac226; faces. Is it something to do with a secret sort of power to achieve a result without too much effort while having fun at the same time?Or is it the fact that quite a lot of us just like playing with powerful water pistols, like overgrown kids?
Either way, pressure washers are just fun to use and just useful. And the Kärcher HD5/11C is a very good example of a fun and useful machine, available in either 240v or 110v.
Designing a pressure washer must be a bit of a nightmare. They are by their nature quite heavy, needing a powerful heavy pump. They must also be easily movable, because we need to use them here, there and everywhere.
Then there are the problems caused by the electrical flex and the pressure feed pipe. These need to be long enough to enable easy use of the washer, but then when they are stored, where do you put them?
There follows the problem of the moving handle too. If it’s high enough to be reached by the average user, it’s too high to enable the machine to be easily stored. And what do you do with the pressure nozzle as well?
To be honest, many of the washers I have used in the past have tried to deal with these issues, and many of the solutions are at best, a compromise. I have a small washer of my own whose storage footprint in my shed is so far beyond its usefulness that I have often contemplated getting rid of it. (except, on those rare occasions I use it, it still brings a smile to my face)
The designers of this new Kärcher have got to be commended for making a very serious attempt (mostly successful) in dealing with some of the issues I have raised above.
The wheels on the washer are very large and wide, thereby making it easy to manoeuvre and move around even over fairly rough ground or grass. Despite its weight of 19Kgs (only 6 Kgs short of EU lifting regs) it doesn&Mac226;t feel like it.
All the necessary controls, switches, inlets and outlets are easily accessible and made of good quality materials, so they are easy to fit and will last a long time.
The moving handle is a large loop that slides up when you want to move the washer around on its wheels and slips down again when you need to store the machine, perhaps in a low cupboard. There is also a secondary handle that is perfectly placed for the average user to lift the washer when needed.
Despite its weight, the Kärcher is amazingly compact considering it power, with the bright yellow plastic casing looking streamlined and sleek.
The pressure nozzle comes in two pieces that are screwed together for use and the nozzle is adjustable to three settings high pressure pencil jet, a high pressure fan spray and a gentler setting for using additional detergents or chemicals. I liked the big comfy handle with big comfy trigger arrangement. Users certainly need such a thing when the pressure available is as great as this machine delivers. In fact, I tended to use both hands, holding the trigger with my right hand and the plastic ribbed bit in front of the trigger with my left so that I could guide it more easily. For storage the nozzle slots into a rest on the base of the washer, and another hook handle holds it secure further up.
The generous 7.5m long pressure hose can be stored over the front of the casing where a curve has been designed to hold it. The hose needs to be unkinked of course, but it’s a good place to keep it. Behind, under the moving handle, is a big plastic hook to hold the generous electric cable length fully rolled up and out of the way.
There is also a detergent tank and associated valves, filter and outlet behind the washer, making it useful for cleaning cars and machinery.
With an unusual amount of serendipity, on the day I had planned to test the washer by cleaning down my deck after the winter, my neighbour appeared in shirtsleeves, determined to drain and clean his swimming pool. I could see the envious glances, so when the pool was drained I took the Kärcher over to see if we could clean a winter’s worth of algae off the sides of the pool.
The results were truly amazing, it took a simple spray over at about 15 cm range to completely get rid of the algae. It took only about half an hour to clean all the pool sides. What was left was a stubborn tide mark of algae that indicated the depth of the water, and we got rid of this by using the pencil jet. My neighbour remarked that this was the first time he had been able to get rid of this by using a pressure washer, the usual solution was a scrubbing brush and detergent. So a definite thumbs up for the Kärcher here.
Once the pool had been completely drained we used a Kärcher FR 30 rotary washer - a disc-shaped attachment that cleans flat areas like patios and walls more quickly - to clean the bottom of the pool.
Again, the speed and efficiency of the cleaning job was remarkable, and again my neighbour remarked on how much better the Kärcher performed compared to his own machine.
This Kärcher definitely improved my obvious enjoyment of using pressure washers. Most people just get fun out of having a powerful spray (have you seen the Kärcher advert on the telly? - then you will know what I mean) but this one has a number of obvious improvements that will make it easier to move, use and store and these, to my mind, make it a serious contender for a good design award - because pressure washers are lumpish creatures and not easy to design well.
Independent Review by Peter Brett
For more information call Christine
01444 440188
01444 440188
Airstream Communications