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How to use a pressure washer: use & connect your high-pressure cleaner correctly
Want to know how to use a pressure washer and connect it to a water source correctly? Here’s the best way to do it.
01.10.2024
Overview: How to use a pressure washer
High-pressure cleaners are suitable for a wide range of cleaning purposes.
Suitable accessories ensure optimum results.
Use a water filter to ensure the longevity of the high-pressure cleaner.
Always use the high-pressure cleaner carefully; start with low pressure and only increase it if necessary.
How to connect a pressure washer depends on the water source. A garden hose is often used. If you want to use rainwater, suitable accessories such as the STIHL suction kit are available. We recommend always using a water filter to protect the high-pressure cleaner from damage.
Yes, a high-pressure cleaner can suck up water, but it should not do be used to do so permanently. Also note that the maximum pumping height for STIHL high-pressure cleaners is around 100 centimetres.
A high-pressure cleaner can be connected to different water sources including taps, but also garden pumps and unpressurised rainwater sources such as a water butt or pond.
When working with the high-pressure cleaner, we recommend first checking on an inconspicuous area whether the surface to be cleaned is suitable for use with a high-pressure cleaner. Start at a greater distance and proceed with caution. Increase the pressure by moving the nozzle closer to the surface.
How to use your pressure washer correctly: What can a high-pressure cleaner be used for?
A high-pressure cleaner is ideal for numerous cleaning tasks around the home and garden. Even stubborn dirt can be loosened and removed with high water pressure.
For example, if you want to clean your garden furniture or remedy the effects of weather on your house, a high-pressure cleaner is the go-to option. Of course, you can also use it to clean vehicles efficiently.
Did you know? If you use a pressure washer correctly, you can save a lot of water compared to a conventional garden hose. While a garden hose consumes around 3,500 litres of water per hour, the water consumption of a STIHL high-pressure cleaner averages 600 litres of water per hour.
Connecting a high-pressure cleaner correctly
Before starting work, you should connect up your high-pressure cleaner correctly. This process differs depending on the cleaning purpose and water source. In addition to fresh water from the tap, you can also use a garden pump or rainwater to supply your high-pressure cleaner.
Regardless of where you want to connect your high-pressure cleaner, it is important that it is safely secured in place. While connecting up the high-pressure cleaner, make sure that it cannot tip over while you work. Once the power tool is securely set up, connect it to the water source.
In the following, we will show you how to use your high-pressure cleaner with different water sources.
How to use a pressure washer: Connecting the high-pressure cleaner to a normal tap
If you want to connect the high-pressure cleaner to a normal tap, you can use the high pressure attachment for a garden hose that is equipped with a backflow preventer. This legally required component prevents standing water in the high-pressure cleaner from being pushed back into the domestic water line. Then proceed as follows:
First connect an appropriately equipped garden hose to the tap and the high-pressure cleaner.
Connect the high-pressure cleaner to the power supply. Set the rotary switch to position 0. Important: Do not switch the high-pressure cleaner on yet.
Turn on the tap and actuate the spray gun of the high-pressure cleaner with the power tool switched off. This floods the high-pressure system with water and makes it ready for operation.
Choose your pressure washer
How to use a pressure washer: Connecting a high-pressure cleaner to a garden pump
Whether you have your own cistern or a water well, with a garden pump you can easily use water sources in your own garden. To connect the high-pressure cleaner to a garden pump, you need a garden hose and a water filter. The latter reliably filters suspended particles out of the water, protecting the high-pressure cleaner from contamination and damage.
First attach the water filter to the high-pressure cleaner or to the garden pump. Then connect the garden pump to the garden hose. Next, connect the high-pressure cleaner to the power supply. Before using the high-pressure cleaner, start the garden pump and flood the high-pressure system by actuating the spray gun. The high-pressure cleaner is now ready for use.
To operate the high-pressure cleaner with rainwater, you need a suitable suction kit. In addition, you should use a water filter to safeguard the service life of the high-pressure cleaner.
Before connecting the suction set to the high-pressure cleaner, first remove any hose coupling attached to the high-pressure cleaner. Then screw on the water filter.
Next, prepare the suction set for use. To do this, fully immerse it in the water butt so that it is completely flooded with water. Then cover the hose of the suction kit with your finger to keep the water in the hose while connecting the hose end to the high-pressure cleaner.
Before using the high-pressure cleaner, pull the hose far enough out of the rainwater source that the bottom end no longer touches the bottom. Ensure that the suction kit is drawing water from a depth of no more than one metre.
Working with high-performance power tools is fun and allows you to broaden your skills, which is great if you can rely on effective and safe protective clothing. Always wear your personal protective equipment when working with high-pressure cleaners. This includes safety glasses, non-slip footwear, gloves and more. Find out more information in the operating instructions for your product. Before using your power tool for the first time, fully familiarise yourself with it and ensure that it is in flawless condition before each use. On request, your STIHL dealer will be happy to prepare your power tool for its first job, and will also advise you on models and sizes of protective clothing that you can try on at your leisure. Please remember that personal protective equipment is no substitute for working safely.
Starting your high-pressure cleaner correctly
After correctly connecting up the high-pressure cleaner, you can start working and use the pressure washer. Before starting, you should have already flooded the high-pressure system by actuating the spray gun with the power tool switched off. As soon as no more air comes out of the spray gun, you can use the high-pressure cleaner.
Now mount the correct attachment for the task at hand. For example, if you want to perform wet blasting, connect the STIHL wet blasting attachment to the high-pressure gun.
Soiled floor surfaces can be thoroughly cleaned with the surface cleaner, and sensitive facades are best treated with a rotating wash brush.
Once the appropriate attachment has been mounted and is ready for use, you can switch on the high-pressure cleaner and use it correctly.
Use high-pressure cleaners carefully
Always proceed with caution when using a high-pressure cleaner.Start your work with a low pressure setting to carefully test the sensitivity of the material you want to clean.
Wooden garden furniture for example is significantly more delicate than metal furniture. You should proceed with particular caution if you wish to clean your bicycle with a high-pressure cleaner.
If you need higher cleaning performance for a specific task, you can gradually increase the pressure. Always keep an eye on the material. When using a high-pressure cleaner, you are using a powerful high-pressure jet that may damage delicate materials.
For the correct procedure for the attachment used, refer to the corresponding user manual. Familiarise yourself with all work steps in advance so that you can act confidently and safely at all times.
