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| Would a cold water pressure washer be vulnerable to any damage if fed hot water from a hot water heater? Down at the fire station washing trucks, we use a garden hose that has super hot water, and the whole time we use the hose, (not a constant stream but it's on more than off) it never loses the heat since we got a heck of a water heater. Looking into getting a nice pressure washer for at the station. Don't want a high end heated steamer but if we could get by using a cold water pressure washer fed by the super hot water, that would work well. My only concern is that if feeding it hot water vs cold would cause any issues with seals, pistons, valving, etc. Thanks in advance for any feedback! |
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southern MN | I've heard from several places, that doesn't work. The cold pressure washers can't take the heat exactly as you are worried about.
Perhaps there are some models that will tho, but look at the literature carefully on that.
Paul |
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NW Washington | Check the specs of the washer. Here is one from NorthernTool that has a max inlet water temperature of 140 degrees F, which is the max temperature that a hot water heater should be set.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200347872_200347872 |
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Ohio | I'm told it won't work very long.
I just bought a new hot water pressure washer and the heater/burner unit is inline after the pressure pump thus using cold water through the pump and then heated to the hose and wand.
Don't run the pressure of the washer pump through a tank type water heater either, it can't take the pressure. |
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candor ny | I know for a fact that the hose connecting to the wand will not handle 180 degree water. Will split and burst in minutes. |
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central - east central Minnesota - | Yes, but - it likely will not take the sustained 140 degree water . . . . . . . They then sell you a new pump or two. |
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SE Nebraska, Near Misery and Cans Ass! | I did it for years with a pump rated for 140 degrees. Works much better than cold just takes a lot of water heater to keep up and 180 0r 190 does so much better especially in the winter! |
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central - east central Minnesota - | deeretech1989 - 5/30/2016 23:37 Would a cold water pressure washer be vulnerable to any damage if fed hot water from a hot water heater? Down at the fire station washing trucks, we use a garden hose that has super hot water, and the whole time we use the hose, (not a constant stream but it's on more than off) it never loses the heat since we got a heck of a water heater. Looking into getting a nice pressure washer for at the station. Don't want a high end heated steamer but if we could get by using a cold water pressure washer fed by the super hot water, that would work well. My only concern is that if feeding it hot water vs cold would cause any issues with seals, pistons, valving, etc. Thanks in advance for any feedback! I suggest doing it correctly - if your fire department has not funds for such . . . work with non-profit fundraising to raise the funds and purchase what you really need. Now - do not get a HIGH Pressure, pressure washer. For that type of washing, 1000 - 1200 psi is all that's needed. Get a higher water volume, lower pressure washer. 6 or 7 gals per min with 1200 psi and hot water, upto 180°F will clean the heck out of stuff. Problem with higher pressure - pressure washers, they cut. Cutting graphics off, can cut into seals and weather stripping and even paint, after repeated uses/passes. Edit for clarity
Edited by iseedit 5/31/2016 05:43
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Eastern Iowa | My washer has a dump valve to prevent damage due to too hot water. If you leave it set outside in the summer with a long hose attached the pump will bypass and not pressurize until cold enough water gets there. |
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Eastern Iowa |
+1. You don't need 4000 psi to keep fire trucks clean. |
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Western Iowa | Been lots of years back, but I was told the issue is with the pistons in the pump. Water changing temps raises heck with the pistons in the pump. Back then you wanted a pump with ceramic pistons to handle any kind of heat.
That was 20 years ago or better though, I am sure a lot has changed with power washer pumps in that time. |
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So. IL | Depends on the pump. Mine has a cat 310 pump and we have used very hot water through it several times with no problems. |
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Virginia | If the pump is rated for hot water it should be fine. 140 F is what what I have seen for some pumps. The pump could wear out a little faster but no more than you will use it I don't see a problem. Just make sure you don't thermal shock the pump by running cold water into the pump when it is hot. |
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| just get a pressure washer that is rated around 3000 psi then you don't NEED hot water it will remove anything |
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| We have a heater that goes on after the pump, and the hose hasn't caused any problem and we have run it over 180 degrees.
As far as the pump, I wouldn't do it unless it is rated too. |
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Northern California | . |
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Chaffee, Western New York | I'd skip it. Hand wash with a hose and hand dried.
It isn't like the fire department is running manure haulers, covered in mud.
With a hose you can get into the books and crannies to get the salt out. We wash with cold water because the hot is believed to be hard on the reflective decals. (We also do it inside.) |
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candor ny | The box store pressure washer hoses blister and burst same with there hoses. Even there garden hoses do it. Tried a cheap one in the milk house once. Lasted about a minute. |
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Pressure washer question
